Local political turnover, R&D investment leap and corporate innovation performance: Evidence from China

Abstract This study explores how local political turnover affects corporate R&D investment and innovation performance in an emerging economy like China. Based on the panel data of 956 listed firms in China, we found that local officials’ turnover has a direct negative effect on both R&D inve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScience & public policy Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 347 - 364
Main Authors Jiang, Zhenyu, Wang, Zongjun, Feng, Chengxiao, Yi, Lin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 16.04.2022
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Summary:Abstract This study explores how local political turnover affects corporate R&D investment and innovation performance in an emerging economy like China. Based on the panel data of 956 listed firms in China, we found that local officials’ turnover has a direct negative effect on both R&D investment leap and corporate innovation performance. Furthermore, local officials’ turnover inhibits innovation performance provided the new officials are transferred from other places but improves innovation performance provided the old officials are dismissed for corruption or other violations. Finally, R&D investment leap positively moderate the relationship between local officials’ turnover and corporate innovation performance. These findings contribute to the literature on how political uncertainty at the regional level affects R&D and innovation activities at the firm level and provide significant guidance for both the government and manufacturers in China.
ISSN:0302-3427
1471-5430
DOI:10.1093/scipol/scab090