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Policy uncertainty and inventor mobility

Author

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  • Bisset, Jordan
  • Czarnitzki, Dirk
  • Doherr, Thorsten

Abstract

We follow the migration patterns of European inventors and find evidence of a novel emigration determinant: policy uncertainty. We find that policy uncertainty raises the rate of inventor emigration by a notable magnitude. With a one standard deviation in the policy uncertainty of the home country, relative to the possible destination countries, the rate of inventor emigration increases by nearly 40%. Migrating inventors are subsequently exposed to lower levels of policy uncertainty in the destination country emphasising that uncertainty motivated the move. We conclude that these effects may have strong welfare implications at the aggregate level.

Suggested Citation

  • Bisset, Jordan & Czarnitzki, Dirk & Doherr, Thorsten, 2022. "Policy uncertainty and inventor mobility," ZEW Discussion Papers 22-044, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:zewdip:22044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karaulova, Maria & Kroll, Henning & Garcia Chavez, Cecilia & Berghäuser, Hendrik, 2024. "Researcher mobility and cooperation in the science system," Studien zum deutschen Innovationssystem 9-2024, Expertenkommission Forschung und Innovation (EFI) - Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation, Berlin.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Out-Migration; Brain Drain; Uncertainty; Inventors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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