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Unions and Innovation: New Insights From the Cross-Country Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Chris (hristos) Doucouliagos

    (Deakin University [Burwood])

  • Patrice Laroche

    (ISAM-IAE - Institut supérieur d'Administration et de Management [Nancy] - UL - Université de Lorraine, CEREFIGE - Centre Européen de Recherche en Economie Financière et Gestion des Entreprises - UL - Université de Lorraine)

Abstract

We apply meta-regression analysis to the extant econometric studies and find that unions depress investment in innovation at the firm and industry level in all countries considered. However, this adverse effect has been declining over time and is moderated by country differences in industrial relations and regulations: The adverse effect appears to increase with labor market flexibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris (hristos) Doucouliagos & Patrice Laroche, 2013. "Unions and Innovation: New Insights From the Cross-Country Evidence," Post-Print hal-02137690, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02137690
    DOI: 10.1111/irel.12020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. John T. Addison & Paulino Teixeira & Katalin Evers & Lutz Bellmann, 2017. "Collective Bargaining and Innovation in Germany: A Case of Cooperative Industrial Relations?," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(1), pages 73-121, January.
    2. Hristos Doucouliagos & Patrice Laroche & Douglas L. Kruse & T. D. Stanley, 2020. "Is Profit Sharing Productive? A Meta‐Regression Analysis," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 58(2), pages 364-395, June.
    3. Cetrulo, Armanda & Cirillo, Valeria & Landini, Fabio, 2022. "Organized Labour and R&D: Evidence from Italy," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1195, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. John P. A. Ioannidis & T. D. Stanley & Hristos Doucouliagos, 2017. "The Power of Bias in Economics Research," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 127(605), pages 236-265, October.
    5. Alex Bryson & Harald Dale-Olsen, 2020. "Unions, Tripartite Competition and Innovation," DoQSS Working Papers 20-02, Quantitative Social Science - UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
    6. Bruce E. Kaufman, 2016. "Langbert on Left-Leaning Industrial Relations: Bringing Balance to a Right-Leaning Account," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 13(2), pages 200–223-2, May.
    7. repec:wly:econjl:v::y:2017:i:605:p:f236-f265 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Fernando Rios-Avila, 2017. "Unions and Economic Performance in Developing Countries: Case Studies from Latin America," Revista Ecos de Economía, Universidad EAFIT, vol. 21(44), pages 4-36, June.
    9. Fall, François & Akim, Al-mouksit & Wassongma, Harouna, 2018. "DEA and SFA research on the efficiency of microfinance institutions: A meta-analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 176-188.
    10. Addison, John T. & Teixeira, Paulino & Evers, Katalin & Bellmann, Lutz, 2013. "Collective Bargaining and Innovation in Germany: Cooperative Industrial Relations?," IZA Discussion Papers 7871, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. Erling Barth & Alex Bryson & Harald Dale-Olsen, 2022. "Creative Disruption – Technology innovation, labour demand and the pandemic," DoQSS Working Papers 22-07, Quantitative Social Science - UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
    12. Antonioli, Davide & Mazzanti, Massimiliano, 2017. "Towards a green economy through innovations: The role of trade union involvement," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 286-299.
    13. Pauline Stanton & Timothy Bartram & Greg J. Bamber, 2022. "The role of nurses' unions in workplace innovation in Australian and Canadian hospitals: Analysing union strategies," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(5), pages 484-500, September.
    14. Laroche, Patrice, 2020. "Unions, Collective Bargaining and Firm Performance," GLO Discussion Paper Series 728, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    15. Neto, António & Furukawa, Yuichi & Ribeiro, Ana Paula, 2017. "Can Trade Unions Increase Social Welfare? An R&D Model with Cash-in-Advance Constraints," MPRA Paper 77312, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Abdeljalil Miliani & Aziz El Khazzar & Imad Lhassan, 2022. "Employee Relations Practices and Firm performance: A Conceptual Model Proposal," Post-Print hal-03649227, HAL.
    17. Berton, Fabio & Dughera, Stefano & Ricci, Andrea, 2021. "Are Unions Detrimental to Innovation? Theory and Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 14102, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    18. Balsmeier, Benjamin, 2017. "Unions, collective relations laws and R&D investment in emerging and developing countries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 292-304.
    19. Wen Wang & Jason Heyes & Roger Seifert, 2023. "Trade union influence on innovation in the British private sector: Direct and indirect paths," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(2), pages 604-627, May.

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