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International Knowledge Spillovers: The Benefits from Employing Immigrants

Author

Listed:
  • Jürgen Bitzer

    (University of Oldenburg - Department of Economics & ZenTra)

  • Erkan Gören

    (University of Oldenburg - Department of Economics)

  • Sanne Hiller

    (Aarhus University - Department of Economics and Business)

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 1996 to 2009, we are able to show that non-Danish employees from technological advanced countries contribute significantly to a 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jürgen Bitzer & Erkan Gören & Sanne Hiller, 2015. "International Knowledge Spillovers: The Benefits from Employing Immigrants," ZenTra Working Papers in Transnational Studies 49 / 2015, ZenTra - Center for Transnational Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:zen:wpaper:49
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R&D Spillovers; Absorptive Capacity; Firm-Level Analysis; Foreign Workers; Immigrants;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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