Work

Same difference? Minority ethnic inventors, diversity and innovation in the UK

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Minority ethnic inventors play important roles in US innovation, especially in high-tech regions such as Silicon Valley.Do 'ethnicity-innovation' channels exist elsewhere?Ethnicity could influence innovation via production complementarities from diverse inventor communities, co-ethnic network externalities or individual 'stars'.I explore these issues using new UK patents microdata and a novel name-classification system.UK minority ethnic inventors are spatially concentrated, as in the USA, but have different characteristics reflecting UK-specific geography and history.I find that the diversity of inventor communities helps raise individual patenting, with suggestive influence of East Asian-origin stars.Majority inventors may benefit from multiplier effects.

Source: Journal of Economic Geography

DOI: 10.1093/jeg/lbu006

Author: Max Nathan

Institutions: National Institute of Economic and Social Research, London School of Economics and Political Science

Language: English

Topic: Intellectual Property and Patents

Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Regional Studies Association, Economic and Social Research Council