Is Innovation Destroying Jobs? Firm-Level Evidence from the EU

Using a unique firm-level database comprising the top European R&D investors over the period 2002–2013 and running LSDVC estimates, this study finds a significant labor-friendly impact of R&D expenditures. However, this positive employment effect appears limited in magnitude and enti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariacristina Piva, Marco Vivarelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-04-01
Series:Sustainability
Subjects:
D
EU
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1279
Description
Summary:Using a unique firm-level database comprising the top European R&D investors over the period 2002–2013 and running LSDVC estimates, this study finds a significant labor-friendly impact of R&D expenditures. However, this positive employment effect appears limited in magnitude and entirely due to the medium- and high-tech sectors, while no effect can be detected in the low-tech industries. From a policy point of view, this outcome supports the EU2020 strategy but—taking into account that most European economies are specialized in low-tech activities—is also worrying in terms of future perspectives of the European labor market.
ISSN:2071-1050