Impact of stakeholder orientation on innovation: evidence from the natural experiment
Journal
Management Science
Subject
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Publishing details
Authors / Editors
Flammer C;Kacperczyk A
Biographies
Publication Year
2016
Abstract
In this study, we assess the causal impact of stakeholder orientation on innovation. To obtain exogenous variation in stakeholder orientation, we exploit the enactment of state-level constituency statutes, which allow directors to consider stakeholders’ interests when making business decisions. Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find that the enactment of constituency statutes leads to a significant increase in the number of patents and citations per patent. We further argue and provide evidence suggesting that stakeholder orientation sparks innovation by encouraging experimentation and enhancing employees’ innovative productivity. Finally, we find that the positive effect of stakeholder orientation on innovation is larger in consumer-focused and less eco-friendly industries.
Keywords
Innovation; Stakeholder view; Long-term orientation; Constituency statutes; Difference-in-differences
Available on ECCH
No
