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The impact of Covid-19 and of the earlier crisis on firms’ innovation and growth: a comparative analysis

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Abstract

Using the results of the Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises (2009 to 2020 editions), this paper aims to assess the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the probabilities of firm to innovate and grow and to compare their likelihood with that of the previous downturn. To control for a possible endogeneity bias as part of innovation decisions a Recursive Bivariate Probit Model is used. Results show that the probabilities of firms to innovate and grow are lower in 2020 (Covid-19 crisis) than in 2009 (financial crisis). The economic performance of innovative firms was also affected by the pandemic, but considerably less than the performance of non-innovative ones. Changes in the innovation patterns are also observed. Possible implications for decision-makers are derived.

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  • Anabela Santos & Karel Haegeman & Pietro Moncada-Paternó-Castello, 2021. "The impact of Covid-19 and of the earlier crisis on firms’ innovation and growth: a comparative analysis," JRC Working Papers on Territorial Modelling and Analysis 2021-03, Joint Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipt:termod:202103
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    Cited by:

    1. Costa, Stefano & Sallusti, Federico & Vicarelli, Claudio & Zurlo, Davide, 2022. "Firms’ solidity before an exogenous shock: Covid-19 pandemic in Italy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 946-961.
    2. Kaya, Orcun, 2022. "Determinants and consequences of SME insolvency risk during the pandemic," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Brink, Siegrun & Nielen, Sebastian & Schröder, Christian, 2022. "Die Auswirkungen der Innovationstätigkeit von KMU in Krisenzeiten auf ihre wirtschaftliche Entwicklung," IfM-Materialien 296, Institut für Mittelstandsforschung (IfM) Bonn.

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    Keywords

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    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
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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