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  • 2015
  • Chapter
  • Innovation Policy and the Economy, Volume 15

Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration

By: Sari Pekkala Kerr, William R. Kerr and William F. Lincoln
  • Format:Print
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Abstract

Firms play a central role in the selection, sponsorship, and employment of skilled immigrants entering the United States for work through programs like the H-1B visa. This role has not been widely recognized in the literature, and the data to better understand it have only recently become available. This paper discusses the evidence that has been assembled to date in understanding the impact of high-skilled immigration from the perspective of the firm and the open areas that call for more research. Since much of the U.S. immigration process for skilled workers rests in the hands of employer firms, a stronger understanding of these implications is essential for future policy analysis, particularly for issues relating to fostering innovation. Firms play a central role in the selection, sponsorship, and employment of skilled immigrants entering the United States for work through programs like the H-1B visa. This role has not been widely recognized in the literature, and the data to better understand it have only recently become available. This paper discusses the evidence that has been assembled to date in understanding the impact of high-skilled immigration from the perspective of the firm and the open areas that call for more research. Since much of the U.S. immigration process for skilled workers rests in the hands of employer firms, a stronger understanding of these implications is essential for future policy analysis, particularly for issues relating to fostering innovation.

Keywords

Business or Company Management; Human Capital; Immigration; Innovation and Invention; United States

Citation

Kerr, Sari Pekkala, William R. Kerr, and William F. Lincoln. "Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration." In Innovation Policy and the Economy, Volume 15, edited by William R. Kerr, Josh Lerner, and Scott Stern, 115–152. University of Chicago Press, 2015.
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About The Author

William R. Kerr

Entrepreneurial Management
→More Publications

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More from the Authors
  • Migration Fear and Minority Crowd-Funding Success: Evidence from Kickstarter By: John (Jianqui) Bai, William R. Kerr, Chi Wan and Alptug Yorulmaz
  • Clay Ridge Capital By: Martin A. Sinozich and William R. Kerr
  • ELCA's Series A By: Anke Becker, Ray Kluender and William R. Kerr
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