2008
Working Paper
HBS Working Paper Series

The Supply Side of Innovation: H-1B Visa Reforms and U.S. Ethnic Invention

By: William R. Kerr and William F. Lincoln

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:50

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of high-skilled immigrants on US technology formation. Specifically, we use reduced-form specifications that exploit large changes in the H-1B visa program. Fluctuations in H-1B admissions levels significantly influence the rate of Indian and Chinese patenting in cities and firms dependent upon the program relative to their peers. Most specifications find weak crowding-in effects or no effect at all for native patenting. Total invention increases with higher admission levels primarily through the direct contributions of ethnic inventors.

Keywords

Technology; Patents; Ethnicity; Immigration; Innovation and Invention; United States

Citation

Kerr, William R., and William F. Lincoln. "The Supply Side of Innovation: H-1B Visa Reforms and U.S. Ethnic Invention." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 09-005, December 2008. (FAQ on paper, Appendix, forthcoming at Journal of Labor Economics.)