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Numerical labor flexibility and innovation outcomes of start-up firms: A panel data analysis

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  • Kato, Masatoshi
  • Zhou, Haibo

Abstract

Using a panel data set based on repeated questionnaire surveys of Japanese start-up firms, this study examines the effects of numerical labor flexibility on the innovation outcomes of start-up firms, a topic on which there is currently insufficient research. Here, numerical labor flexibility is defined as the external labor turnover of regular employees and the proportion of non-regular employees, and innovation outcomes include product innovation and patent applications. The estimation results of a random-effects probit model indicate that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between the external labor turnover of regular employees and the probability of patent applications. Moreover, a similar U-shaped relationship exists between the proportion of non-regular employees and the probability of product innovation. These results are interpreted in light of the organizational characteristics of start-up firms. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kato, Masatoshi & Zhou, Haibo, 2018. "Numerical labor flexibility and innovation outcomes of start-up firms: A panel data analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 15-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:69:y:2018:i:c:p:15-27
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2017.10.002
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    2. Varshney, Mayank & Jain, Amit, 2023. "Understanding “reverse” knowledge flows following inventor exit in the semiconductor industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    3. Teruyama, Hiroshi & Goto, Yasuo & Lechevalier, Sebastien, 2018. "Firm-level labor demand for and macroeconomic increases in non-regular workers in Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 90-105.
    4. Honjo, Yuji & Kwak, Charee & Uchida, Hirofumi, 2022. "Initial funding and founders’ human capital: An empirical analysis using multiple surveys for start-up firms," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    5. Assefa, Dawit Z. & Liao, Ching T. & Misganaw, Bisrat A., 2022. "Unpacking the negative impact of initial informality on innovation: The mediating roles of investments in R&D and employee training," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    6. Martínez-Sánchez, Angel & Vicente-Oliva, Silvia & Pérez-Pérez, Manuela, 2020. "The relationship between R&D, the absorptive capacity of knowledge, human resource flexibility and innovation: Mediator effects on industrial firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 431-440.
    7. Colombelli, Alessandra & Grilli, Luca & Minola, Tommaso & Mrkajic, Boris, 2020. "To what extent do young innovative companies take advantage of policy support to enact innovation appropriation mechanisms?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(10).
    8. Deligianni, Ioanna & Voudouris, Irini & Spanos, Yiannis & Lioukas, Spyros, 2019. "Non-linear effects of technological competence on product innovation in new technology-based firms: Resource orchestration and the role of the entrepreneur's political competence and prior start-up ex," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    9. Santoro, Gabriele & Bresciani, Stefano & Papa, Armando, 2020. "Collaborative modes with Cultural and Creative Industries and innovation performance: The moderating role of heterogeneous sources of knowledge and absorptive capacity," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 92.
    10. Chengde You & Huishan Qiu & Zhuojie Pi & Mengyuan Yu, 2023. "Sustainable Enterprise Development in the Manufacturing Sector: Flexible Employment and Innovation in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-30, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Start-up firm; Numerical labor flexibility; External labor turnover of regular employees; The proportion of non-regular employees; Product innovation; Patent applications; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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