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Closing the Innovation Gap in Pink and Black

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  • Lisa D. Cook
  • Janet Gerson
  • Jennifer Kuan

Abstract

Recent research shows the negative impact of discrimination not only on the targets of discrimination but also on the economy as a whole. Racial and gender inequality can limit the entire economy's productive capacity and innovation outcomes. Using new data from NSF's Survey of Earned Doctorates on the scientific workforce from 1980 to 2019, as well as patenting and commercialization data, we examine racial and gender disparities at each stage of the innovation process—education and training, the practice of invention, and commercialization. While improving along certain dimensions over time, we find persistent racial and gender disparities consistent with the current literature. To reverse the negative effects on productive capacity and long-run economic growth, we also discuss the literature on mitigating discriminatory practices at each juncture, which could have significant distributional effects as access to good jobs expands.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa D. Cook & Janet Gerson & Jennifer Kuan, 2021. "Closing the Innovation Gap in Pink and Black," NBER Working Papers 29354, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Van Reenen, 2022. "Innovation and Human Capital Policy," NBER Chapters, in: Innovation and Public Policy, pages 61-83, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Alex Bell & Raj Chetty & Xavier Jaravel & Neviana Petkova & John Van Reenen, 2019. "Who Becomes an Inventor in America? The Importance of Exposure to Innovation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 134(2), pages 647-713.
    3. Emmanuel Saez, 2013. "Striking it Richer: The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States (Updated with 2011 preliminary estimates)," Technical Notes 201301, World Inequality Lab.
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    5. Mirowski, Philip, 2011. "Science-Mart: Privatizing American Science," Economics Books, Harvard University Press, number 9780674046467, Spring.
    6. Zvi Griliches, 1998. "Patent Statistics as Economic Indicators: A Survey," NBER Chapters, in: R&D and Productivity: The Econometric Evidence, pages 287-343, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Emmanuel Saez, 2013. "Striking it Richer: The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States (Updated with 2012 preliminary estimates)," Technical Notes 201303, World Inequality Lab.
    8. Cook, Lisa D., 2012. "Overcoming Discrimination by Consumers during the Age of Segregation: The Example of Garrett Morgan," Business History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 86(2), pages 211-234, July.
    9. Cook, Lisa D., 2011. "Inventing social capital: Evidence from African American inventors, 1843–1930," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(4), pages 507-518.
    10. Lisa D. Cook & Chaleampong Kongcharoen, 2010. "The Idea Gap in Pink and Black," NBER Working Papers 16331, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Emmanuel Saez, 2012. "Striking it Richer: The Evolution of Top Incomes in the United States (Updated with 2009 and 2010 estimates)," Technical Notes 201202, World Inequality Lab.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Fairlie & David T. Robinson, 2023. "Racial Differences in Access to Capital for Innovative Start-Ups," Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(1), pages 149-166.
    2. Sarah Armitage & Noël Bakhtian & Adam B. Jaffe, 2023. "Innovation Market Failures and the Design of New Climate Policy Instruments," NBER Chapters, in: Environmental and Energy Policy and the Economy, volume 5, pages 4-48, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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