The impact of hiring top workers on productivity: what is the role of absorptive capacity?

PublicationArticle (with peer review)
Aili Tang, Företagandets villkor, Kunskapsöverföring, Magnus Lodefalk, Produktivitet, Rekrytering, SMEs

Abstract

We examine the heterogeneous productivity impacts of hiring top workers on small and medium-sized enterprises, exploiting matched employer–employee panel data and employing within-firm as well as matching and difference-in-difference estimators. The results provide robust evidence that the productivity impact is stronger for firms with higher absorptive capacity. Technological laggards within an industry benefit more strongly from hiring top workers if their workforce is more well-educated.

Lodefalk, M., & Tang, A. (2018). The impact of hiring top workers on productivity: what is the role of absorptive capacity?Applied Economics Letters, 25(20), 1402-1406. DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2017.1422594


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