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Ethnic Heterogeneity and Knowledge Formation in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Bosetti Valentina

    (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici and Department of Economics, Bocconi University)

  • Cattaneo Cristina

    (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici)

  • Verdolini Elena

    (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei and Centro Euro-Mediterraneo per i Cambiamenti Climatici)

Abstract

Is the interaction of diverse cultures a factor hampering or facilitating the creation of new ideas? In the present article we summarize results of a study investigating the role of ethnic heterogeneity of the labour force in the creation of new knowledge. We employ a panel of 20 European countries and we study the impact of the share of foreigners in the skilled labour force on two measures of innovation, namely the number of patents and the number of citations of scientific publications. The empirical findings indicate that greater ethnic diversity in the skilled professions is associated with greater innovation. What underlined hypotheses may drive such result? First, skilled foreigners contribute to enlarge the size of the skilled labour force, which in turn is responsible for larger innovation. Second, foreigners positively affect natives' productivity. The interaction of diverse culture and problem solving approaches may indeed favour the creation of new ideas.

Suggested Citation

  • Bosetti Valentina & Cattaneo Cristina & Verdolini Elena, 2012. "Ethnic Heterogeneity and Knowledge Formation in Europe," Review of Environment, Energy and Economics - Re3, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:fem:femre3:2012.11-01
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    Cited by:

    1. Richter, Doreen, 2014. "Demographic change and innovation: The ongoing challenge from the diversity of the labor force," management revue. Socio-economic Studies, Rainer Hampp Verlag, vol. 25(3), pages 166-184.
    2. Richter, Doreen, 2014. "Demographic change and innovation: The ongoing challenge from the diversity of the labor force," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 25(3), pages 166-184.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cultural Diversity; Innovation; Skilled Migration; Knowledge Production Function; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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