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Numerical labor flexibility and innovation outcomes of start-up firms: A panel data analysis

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  • Kato, Masatoshi
  • Zhou, Haibo

Abstract

Using a panel data set based on repeated questionnaire surveys of Japanese start-up firms, this study examines the effects of numerical labor flexibility on the innovation outcomes of start-up firms, a topic on which there is currently insufficient research. Here, numerical labor flexibility is defined as the external labor turnover of regular employees and the proportion of non-regular employees, and innovation outcomes include product innovation and patent applications. The estimation results of a random-effects probit model indicate that an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between the external labor turnover of regular employees and the probability of patent applications. Moreover, a similar U-shaped relationship exists between the proportion of non-regular employees and the probability of product innovation. These results are interpreted in light of the organizational characteristics of start-up firms. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kato, Masatoshi & Zhou, Haibo, 2018. "Numerical labor flexibility and innovation outcomes of start-up firms: A panel data analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 15-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:69:y:2018:i:c:p:15-27
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2017.10.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Mengmeng Meng & Jiasu Lei & Jie Jiao & Qiuyan Tao, 2020. "How does strategic flexibility affect bricolage: The moderating role of environmental turbulence," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Assefa, Dawit Z. & Liao, Ching T. & Misganaw, Bisrat A., 2022. "Unpacking the negative impact of initial informality on innovation: The mediating roles of investments in R&D and employee training," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    3. Martínez-Sánchez, Angel & Vicente-Oliva, Silvia & Pérez-Pérez, Manuela, 2020. "The relationship between R&D, the absorptive capacity of knowledge, human resource flexibility and innovation: Mediator effects on industrial firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 431-440.
    4. Colombelli, Alessandra & Grilli, Luca & Minola, Tommaso & Mrkajic, Boris, 2020. "To what extent do young innovative companies take advantage of policy support to enact innovation appropriation mechanisms?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(10).
    5. Santoro, Gabriele & Bresciani, Stefano & Papa, Armando, 2020. "Collaborative modes with Cultural and Creative Industries and innovation performance: The moderating role of heterogeneous sources of knowledge and absorptive capacity," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 92.
    6. Chengde You & Huishan Qiu & Zhuojie Pi & Mengyuan Yu, 2023. "Sustainable Enterprise Development in the Manufacturing Sector: Flexible Employment and Innovation in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-30, May.
    7. Varshney, Mayank & Jain, Amit, 2023. "Understanding “reverse” knowledge flows following inventor exit in the semiconductor industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    8. Teruyama, Hiroshi & Goto, Yasuo & Lechevalier, Sebastien, 2018. "Firm-level labor demand for and macroeconomic increases in non-regular workers in Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 90-105.
    9. Honjo, Yuji & Kwak, Charee & Uchida, Hirofumi, 2022. "Initial funding and founders’ human capital: An empirical analysis using multiple surveys for start-up firms," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    10. Perone, Gaetano, 2024. "The relationship between labor market institutions and innovation in 177 European regions over the period 2000–2015," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 128-149.
    11. Deligianni, Ioanna & Voudouris, Irini & Spanos, Yiannis & Lioukas, Spyros, 2019. "Non-linear effects of technological competence on product innovation in new technology-based firms: Resource orchestration and the role of the entrepreneur's political competence and prior start-up experience," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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