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The university's Janus face: The innovation–inequality nexus

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  • Richard Florida
  • Ruben Gaetani

Abstract

The university is a key source of talent and a key driver of innovation and economic growth in a knowledge‐based economy. But, in performing these economic functions, it also contributes to economic and spatial inequality. Our research uses a variety of new data to examine this Janus face of the university in innovation and inequality across U.S. metro areas. We find evidence that the university plays a role in both regional innovation, boosting local patenting and startup companies, and in economic inequality, with higher rates of income and occupational segregation in metros with highly rated universities.

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  • Richard Florida & Ruben Gaetani, 2020. "The university's Janus face: The innovation–inequality nexus," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(6), pages 1097-1112, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:41:y:2020:i:6:p:1097-1112
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.2938
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