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Cultural Diversity, Local Capabilities and Green Breakthrough Innovations

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  • Benjamín Cornejo-Costas

Abstract

This paper examines how cultural diversity of migrant inventors' teams influences a region’s capacity to produce green breakthrough innovations. It posits that highly skilled migrants enhance diversity, driving the recombination of new and impactful green technologies. The research also emphasises the significance of local capabilities in enabling regions to absorb and utilise the diverse knowledge these teams bring. Using patent data and inventor nationalities, the study analyses green breakthrough innovations across 281 NUTS2 regions in Europe over a span of 20 years. The findings reveal that cultural diversity plays a critical role in fostering such innovations. Moreover, this effect is amplified when new technologies are related to existing ones in the region, underscoring the importance of local capabilities. This research contributes to Evolutionary Economic Geography by highlighting how a region’s technological portfolio supports the development of related technologies while emphasising the vital role of diverse knowledge in driving green innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamín Cornejo-Costas, 2026. "Cultural Diversity, Local Capabilities and Green Breakthrough Innovations," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2621, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Aug 2026.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2621
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • 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
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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