"Linking diversity in the skill workforce structure, organizational innovation and technological innovation strategies"
Martes, 19 de julio. Hora 15:00
Ponente En coautoría con: - Alejandro Bello-Pintado (Universidad Pública de Navarra)
Comenta: - Guillermo Alves (IECON & Brown University)
Abstract Abstract:
This paper offers a comprehensive and deep analysis of the relationship
between skill diversity in the workforce and the technological innovation activities of industrial firms. We stress the relevance of breaking down the concept of diversity into more accurate dimensions –variety and separation– that have different effects on technological innovation. We distinguish technological innovation –both embodied in artefacts and disembodied– to understand the specific effect of diversity skill workforce dimensions on technological innovation. Finally, we analyse the moderating effect that the adoption of organisational innovations has on the relationship between diversity skill workforce and technological innovations. Results show a positive and significant relationship between skills variety and technological innovation activities, which is highly complementary to organisational innovation external to the firm. Skills separation, in turn, shows a nonlinear relationship with technological innovation. It is affected by organisational innovations showing the relevance of balanced professional staff. The study conducts an eight yearlong longitudinal analysis of the whole manufacturing industry in a developing country. In addition to the theoretical discussion of diversity and innovation, the results offer new evidence about innovation determinants in traditional manufacturing industries.
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