Econometrically Modeled Impacts of Science and Engineering Graduates on the National Economy

摘要

From the National Academies of Science and Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, we are told that America's competitive position in the world is not only in large jeopardy but worsening due to a shortage of scientists and engineers (S&E). According to two different series of studies and congressional hearings, factors like economic turmoil, the increased globalization of information, education, investment in technical workforce, and similar issues are all exacerbating the problem. There is little doubt about global competition though some contention as to the extent of the shortage problem when it comes to the number of S&E graduates from the United States each year compared to our Asian and European counterparts. Statistics are plentiful on the numbers of doctoral candidates, the demand for engineers and similar factoids, as well as the void that will exist when baby boomers retire and there are not enough S&E to replace them. Among the increasingly concerning and publicized issue is a lack of an empirical economic analysis that analyzes the link or correlation between engineering and science graduate rates and key economic indicators.