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Employment Nondiscrimination Acts and Corporate Innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Huasheng Gao

    (Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798)

  • Wei Zhang

    (School of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

Abstract

We show that U.S. state-level employment nondiscrimination acts (ENDAs)—laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity—spur innovation. We find a significant increase in patents and patent citations for firms headquartered in states that have passed ENDAs relative to firms headquartered in states that have not. This result is more pronounced for firms that previously have not implemented pro-gay nondiscrimination policies, for firms in states with a large homosexual population, and for firms in human capital-intensive industries. Lastly, we provide evidence suggesting that ENDAs affect innovation by matching employees, who are generally more creative than anti-gay employees, with innovative firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Huasheng Gao & Wei Zhang, 2017. "Employment Nondiscrimination Acts and Corporate Innovation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 63(9), pages 2982-2999, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:63:y:2017:i:9:p:2982-2999
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2016.2457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Laureti, Lucio & Costantiello, Alberto & Matarrese, Marco Maria & Leogrande, Angelo, 2022. "The Employment in Innovative Enterprises in Europe," MPRA Paper 111335, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    21. Kai Zhao & Yuesheng Zhang & Jinkai Zhao & Xiaojing Li, 2020. "Understanding Contributions of the Creative Class to Sustainable Economic Growth in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
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    24. Dai, Yanke & Du, Ting & Gao, Huasheng & Gu, Yan & Wang, Yongqin, 2024. "Patent pledgeability, trade secrecy, and corporate patenting," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

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