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International Knowledge Spillovers: The Benefits from Employing Immigrants

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  • Hiller, Sanne
  • Bitzer, Jürgen
  • Gören, Erkan

Abstract

This paper explores the role of immigrant employees for a firm's capability to absorb international knowledge. Using matched employer-employee data from Denmark for the years 1999 to 2009, we are able to show that non-Danish employees from technological advanced countries contribute significantly to firm's economic output through their ability to access international knowledge. The empirical results suggest that the immigrants' impact increases if they come from technological advanced countries, have a high educational level, and are employed in high-skilled positions. However, the latter does not hold for immigrant managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiller, Sanne & Bitzer, Jürgen & Gören, Erkan, 2015. "International Knowledge Spillovers: The Benefits from Employing Immigrants," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 113205, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc15:113205
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    JEL classification:

    • D20 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - General
    • J82 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Labor Force Composition
    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General

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