Dear colleagues,

The Department of Economics cordially invites you to the WU Economic Research Seminar (Department Seminar) on Wednesday, April 11, with

Marie Le Mouel

(DIW Berlin)

on

"Managerial knowledge spillovers and firm productivity"

Abstract: The present paper brings together empirical findings suggesting, on the one hand, that heterogeneity in managerial knowledge is an important driver of differences in firm productivity, and on the other, that labour mobility plays a central role in the transmission of knowledge between firms. We test whether the mobility of managers leads to better firm performance by estimating a structural model of production and recovering firm-level productivity. We explore the characteristics of movers and sending firms that result in productivity gains for hiring firms, at both the aggregate and industry levels. Results suggest that hiring managers from other firms has strong positive effects on both firm survival and future productivity. Stronger effects are found when movers have relevant experience, advanced qualifications and come from firms with higher human capital. Furthermore, the effects decrease with the productivity level of the hiring firm, suggesting that managerial mobility helps laggard firms catch-up to more productive firms, and has a potential effect on reducing productivity dispersion.

Place and time: Wednesday, April 11, 4.30 – 6.00 p.m., Campus WU, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, building D4, 2^nd floor, Department meeting room 2.008.

With best regards,

Harald Oberhofer

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Univ.-Prof. Dr. Harald Oberhofer

Institute for International Economics

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

Phone: +43/1/31336-4984

Fax: +43/1/31336-4984

Email: harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at

Webpage: https://www.wu.ac.at/ie/mitarbeiter/harald-oberhofer/

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO)

Phone: +43/1/7982601-468

Fax: +43/1/7989386

Email: harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at