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Financial constraints and innovation: Why poor countries don't catch up

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  • Gorodnichenko, Yuriy
  • Schnitzer, Monika

Abstract

This paper examines micro-level channels through which financial development can affect such macroeconomic outcomes as level of income. Specifically, we investigate theoretically and empirically how financial constraints affect a firm’s innovation activities. Theoretical predictions are tested using unique firm survey data, which provide direct measures for innovations and firm-specific financial constraints, as well as information on shocks to firms’ internal funds that serve as firm-level instruments for financial constraints. We find unambiguous evidence that financial constraints restrain the ability of domestically owned firms to innovate and hence to catch up to the technological frontier.

Suggested Citation

  • Gorodnichenko, Yuriy & Schnitzer, Monika, 2013. "Financial constraints and innovation: Why poor countries don't catch up," Munich Reprints in Economics 20443, University of Munich, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lmu:muenar:20443
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    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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