An Empirical Test of the Academic Dependency Theory: Using the Field of Communication as an Example

• In Event: Rethinking Development Communciation

Abstract

The inequality of academic development around the world calls for theoretical and empirical studies in this aspect. Based on the academic dependency theory, this study argues that international interaction is a key to understanding inequality between nations. Specifically, it elaborates on the asymmetric interaction implied by the theory, and predicts an unparalleled development and inequalization process of national productivity.
Using the field of communication as an example, the study tests the theory. In the communication field, the reliance on international collaboration, i.e., dependency, has different influences in academia in developed nations and academia in developing nations. For the former, the more a nation relies on international collaboration, the higher is its academic productivity. For the latter, the more a nation relies on international collaboration, the lower is its academic productivity. As a result, global communication research is undergoing a divergence of national research productivity.

Author

• Zhenzhen Wang, City University of Hong Kong