Ethnic scientific communities and international technology diffusion
By: William Kerr
Contributors: Harvard Business School. Division of Research
Edition: Rev.
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 06-022; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 06-022
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 29
Description: This study explores the importance of knowledge transfer for international technology diffusion by examining ethnic scientific and entrepreneurial communities in the US and their ties to their home countries. US ethnic research communities are quantified by applying an ethnic-name database to individual patent records. International patent citations confirm knowledge diffuses through ethnic networks, and manufacturing output in foreign countries increases with an elasticity of 0.1-0.3 to stronger scientific integration with the US frontier. To address reverse-causality concerns, reduced-form specifications exploit exogenous changes in US immigration quotas. Consistent with a model of sector reallocation, output growth in less developed economies is facilitated by employment gains, while more advanced economies experience sharper increases in labor productivity.
Notes: "25 April 2007"--Added t.p.

"Revised 04/07"--Publisher's website, 2005-2006.

Previous ed.: 15 September 2005.

Includes bibliographical references.