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The role of high-skilled foreign labor in startup performance: Evidence from two natural experiments

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  • Chen, Jun
  • Hshieh, Shenje
  • Zhang, Feng

Abstract

We examine the role of high-skilled foreign labor in VC-backed startups through two natural experiments. First, we show that winning more H-1B visas in random lotteries enhances VC-backed startups’ financial performance, likelihood of going public, and quantity and quality of innovation. Second, we show that the H-1B quota reduction in 2004 caused permanent damage to the performance of startups that previously had used H-1B workers. The findings imply that high-skilled foreign workers possess skills or talents that are difficult to replace and that barriers to securing H-1B visas lower startups’ innovation and financial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Jun & Hshieh, Shenje & Zhang, Feng, 2021. "The role of high-skilled foreign labor in startup performance: Evidence from two natural experiments," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(1), pages 430-452.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:142:y:2021:i:1:p:430-452
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.05.042
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    Cited by:

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    2. Stephen G. Dimmock & Jiekun Huang & Scott J. Weisbenner, 2022. "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your High-Skilled Labor: H-1B Lottery Outcomes and Entrepreneurial Success," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(9), pages 6950-6970, September.
    3. Bao, Hengmiao & Yang, Shijie, 2024. "Is there life after product quality failures? Evidence from employment decisions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 325-355.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    High-skilled foreign labor; H-1B visa; VC-backed companies; Innovation; Initial public offerings (IPOs);
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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