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Human Capital Intensity in Technology-Based Firms Located in Portugal: Do Foreign Multinationals Make a Difference?

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Teresa Tavares

    (CEMPRE, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto)

  • Aurora A. C. Teixeira

    (CEMPRE, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Porto)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the scarce empirical literature on the impact of foreign ownership on human capital intensity. New evidence is provided, based on a comprehensive, large-scale survey of technology-based firms located in Portugal. Using two alternatives measures of human capital (one based on skills, another on education), the key findings are that: (1) foreign ownership directly (and significantly) impacts on firms general human capital (education); (2) foreign ownership indirectly (and significantly) impacts on firms specific human capital (skills); (3) the total impact of foreign ownership on firms’ human capital intensity is higher for education- (general) than for skills- (specific) related human capital intensity. Other findings are that younger and smaller firms tend to be more human capital intensive, and that export patterns are not significantly related to human capital intensity. Giving the critical importance of both FDI and human capital development for an economy like Portugal (lagging behind in terms of human capital stock, and seeming to have lost part of its attractiveness as an FDI location), the paper discusses related policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Teresa Tavares & Aurora A. C. Teixeira, 2005. "Human Capital Intensity in Technology-Based Firms Located in Portugal: Do Foreign Multinationals Make a Difference?," FEP Working Papers 187, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    • Handle: RePEc:por:fepwps:187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Malick Souare & Boxi Zhou, 2016. "Foreign-affiliate presence and skilled labour demand," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 233-254, April.
    2. Teixeira, Aurora A.C. & Fortuna, Natércia, 2010. "Human capital, R&D, trade, and long-run productivity. Testing the technological absorption hypothesis for the Portuguese economy, 1960-2001," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 335-350, April.
    3. Aurora Teixeira & Li Shu, 2012. "The level of human capital in innovative firms located in China. Is foreign capital relevant?," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 343-360.
    4. António B. Moniz, 2008. "The transformation of work? A quantitative evaluation of changes in work in Portugal," IET Working Papers Series 07/2008, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology.
    5. Keun Rhee & Hak Pyo, 2010. "Financial crisis and relative productivity dynamics in Korea: evidence from firm-level data (1992–2003)," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 111-131, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Foreign direct investment (FDI); multinational enterprises (MNEs); human capital; education; technology-based firms (TBFs).;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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