Lee, Neil and Nathan, Max (2011) Does cultural diversity help innovation in cities: evidence from London firms. SERC Discussion Papers, SERCDP0069. Spatial Economics Research Centre (SERC), London School of Economics and Political Sciences, London, UK.
|
PDF
Download (596Kb) | Preview |
Abstract
London is one of the world’s major cities, and one of its most diverse. London’s cultural diversity is widely seen as a social asset, but there is little hard evidence on its importance for the city’s businesses. Theory and evidence suggest various links between urban cultural diversity and innovation, at individual, firm and urban level. This paper uses a sample of 7,400 firms to investigate, exploiting the natural experiment of A8 accession. The results, which are robust to most endogeneity challenges, suggest there is a small but significant ‘diversity bonus’ for London firms. Diverse management teams are particularly important for ideas generation, reaching international markets and serving London’s cosmopolitan population.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Working Paper) |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://www.spatialeconomics.ac.uk/SERC/publication... |
| Additional Information: | © 2011 Neil Lee and Max Nathan |
| Library of Congress subject classification: | H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor |
| Journal of Economic Literature Classification System: | O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development |
| Sets: | Research centres and groups > Spatial Economics Research Centre Collections > Economists Online |
| Rights: | http://www.lse.ac.uk/library/rights/LSERO.htm |
| Identification Number: | SERCDP0069 |
| URL: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/33579/ |
Actions (login required)
 |
Record administration - authorised staff only |
