Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Richard Fabling
Author-X-Name-First: Richard	
Author-X-Name-Last: Fabling
Author-Email: richard.fabling@rbnz.govt.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Author-Name: Steven Stillman
Author-X-Name-First: Steven	
Author-X-Name-Last: Stillman
Author-Email: steven.stillman@motu.org.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Author-Name: David C. Maré
Author-X-Name-First: David C.	
Author-X-Name-Last: Maré
Author-Email: dave.mare@motu.org.nz
Author-Workplace-Name: Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Title: Immigration and Innovation.
Abstract:  We combine firm-level innovation data with area-level Census data to examine the relationship between local workforce characteristics, especially the presence of immigrants and local skills, and the likelihood of innovation by firms. We examine a range of innovation outcomes, and test the relationship for selected subgroups of firms. We find a positive relationship between local workforce characteristics and average innovation outcomes in labour market areas, but this is accounted for by variation in firm characteristics such as firm size, industry, and research and development expenditure. Controlling for these influences, we find no systematic evidence of an independent link between local workforce characteristics and innovation.
Length: 23 pages
Creation-Date:  2011-05
File-URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/11_05.pdf
Number: 11_05
Classification-JEL: O31; R30
Keywords: Innovation; Immigration; Local labour market
Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:11_05