Migration and innovation: Does cultural diversity matter for regional R&D activity?

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. Terms of use: Documents in AbstractRecent theoretical research deals with economic costs and benefits of cultural diversity related to immigration. However, empirical evidence regarding the impact of cultural diversity on economic performance is still scarce. This paper aims at investigating the effects of diversity on innovation. We apply the knowledge production function approach to investigate the significance of cultural diversity of work force for innovation output. The regression analysis considers the determinants of regional innovation, focusing on the effect of diversity, for a cross-section of German regions in the period 1998 to 2000. The findings indicate that cultural diversity indeed affects innovative activity at the regional level. The results suggest that differences in knowledge and capabilities of workers from diverse cultural backgrounds enhance performance of regional R&D sectors. But education matters as well in this context. Strongest impact on innovation output is determined for diversity among highly qualified employees.

Immigration and the Diffusion of Technology: The Huguenot Diaspora in Prussia

“…Studies of economic benefits from migration for the host country include Ben-Gad (2004), Chiswick et al (1992) and Paserman (2008). The impact of immigration on innovation has been studied by Gauthier-Loiselle and Hunt (2009) and Niebuhr (2006). Theoretically, Borjas (1994Borjas ( , p. 1667 finds that immigrants with high levels of productivity, who adapt rapidly to the labor market in the host country can make a significant contribution to economic growth.…”

Cultural diversity and plant-level productivity

“…Other studies at the establishment or firm level mostly focus on other outcomes such as patenting activities (see Ozgen et al 2011, Audretsch et al 2010, Chellaraj et al 2008, thereby contributing to the related discussion how diversity affects innovation (also see Niebuhr 2010 andNathan 2011). The study by Parrotta et al (2010) is also related to ours, as they estimate the productivity effects of workforce diversity among Danish firms.…”

Culture, entrepreneurship and uneven development: a spatial analysis

“…As well as the bi-directional nature of the relationship between development and entrepreneurship, it is likely that the community culture of localities will also have a more direct association with particular aspects of development, alongside the indirect relationships mediated by entrepreneurship. For instance, more socially diversified and open localities are likely to have a community culture receptive to innovation-led economic development (Florida, 2002b;Page, 2008;Niebuhr, 2010Niebuhr, Østergaard et al, 2011. Similarly, a community culture that does not tolerate either antisocial behaviour or a lack of adherence to social rules is likely to be more conducive to promoting high rates of well-being (Shields and Wheatley Price, 2005;Lelkes, 2006).…”