The effect of human capital on innovation: Analysis from the quantitative and qualitative perspectives of education
Labordeta,J. F. -R ; Giménez,G. (Universidad de Zaragoza)
Resumen: Purpose: This research attempts to determine, empirically and for a large sample of countries, which kind of educational variables can better explain technological innovation processes, approximated by the number of patents per capita. To do this, we use a model that explains the innovative capacity of the countries employing six educational variables: two quantitative variables –average (total and university) years of schooling- and four qualitative variables -based on outcomes of different international tests of knowledge-.
Design/methodology: The analysis is carried out for a sample that includes more than 60 countries, using cross-section techniques for the decade 2000-2010.
Findings: From the econometric results we conclude that technological innovation, proxied by the number of patents per capita, is explained better by the quality of education than by the quantity of education. Innovative activity is strongly linked to success in terms of educational skills, the type of skills acquired and educational excellency. Furthermore, the interaction between educational quality and quantity is a key factor. When we introduce the cross effects of both variables, the proposed model yields to a greater explanatory power.
Originality/value: The traditional perspective on human capital literature uses indicators based on the quantity of education, usually average years of schooling. This study incorporates indicators based on skills, measured by the results of international tests of knowledge. The introduction of the dual perspective, quantitative and qualitative, to measure human capital and to determine what kind of indicators explains better innovation, is an outstanding novelty.
Idioma: Español
DOI: 10.3926/ic.345
Año: 2012
Publicado en: Intangiblecapital 8, 2 (2012), 425-446
ISSN: 1697-9818
Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)
Área (Departamento): Área Economía Aplicada (Dpto. Estruc.Hª Econ.y Eco.Pb.)
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Design/methodology: The analysis is carried out for a sample that includes more than 60 countries, using cross-section techniques for the decade 2000-2010.
Findings: From the econometric results we conclude that technological innovation, proxied by the number of patents per capita, is explained better by the quality of education than by the quantity of education. Innovative activity is strongly linked to success in terms of educational skills, the type of skills acquired and educational excellency. Furthermore, the interaction between educational quality and quantity is a key factor. When we introduce the cross effects of both variables, the proposed model yields to a greater explanatory power.
Originality/value: The traditional perspective on human capital literature uses indicators based on the quantity of education, usually average years of schooling. This study incorporates indicators based on skills, measured by the results of international tests of knowledge. The introduction of the dual perspective, quantitative and qualitative, to measure human capital and to determine what kind of indicators explains better innovation, is an outstanding novelty.
Idioma: Español
DOI: 10.3926/ic.345
Año: 2012
Publicado en: Intangiblecapital 8, 2 (2012), 425-446
ISSN: 1697-9818
Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)
Área (Departamento): Área Economía Aplicada (Dpto. Estruc.Hª Econ.y Eco.Pb.)
Debe reconocer adecuadamente la autoría, proporcionar un enlace a la licencia e indicar si se han realizado cambios. Puede hacerlo de cualquier manera razonable, pero no de una manera que sugiera que tiene el apoyo del licenciador o lo recibe por el uso que hace. No puede utilizar el material para una finalidad comercial.Exportado de SIDERAL (2026-01-16-14:54:47)
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Artículos > Artículos por área > Economía Aplicada
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