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Inventor Mobility, Human Capital, and the Propensity to Patent

Author

Listed:
  • David Youngberg

    (Montgomery College)

  • Joshua Hall

    (West Virginia University)

Abstract

Using 1975-1992 patent data this article untangles two opposing effects of knowledge spillovers: increasing productivity of invention (encouraging higher-quality patents) and increasing trade secret leakage to competitors (encouraging lower-quality patents). Using geographic labor mobility to predict the former and industry labor mobility in the latter, we find that doubling the rate of industry level labor mobility of scientists and engineers decreases patent quality. Results from doubling the rate of regional level mobility are mixed, but suggest an increase in patent quality.

Suggested Citation

  • David Youngberg & Joshua Hall, 2020. "Inventor Mobility, Human Capital, and the Propensity to Patent," Working Papers 20-10, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:20-10
    as

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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1048&context=econ_working-papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Ayano Fujiwara, 2023. "An empirical analysis of the impact of semiconductor engineer characteristics on outflows and inflows: evidence from six major semiconductor countries," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(6), pages 1-23, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    patents; labor mobility; knowledge spillover; patent quality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • K29 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Other
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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