We show that R&D investment explains a significant portion of the increase in the average cash-to-assets ratio of U.S. firms, which more than doubled between 1980 and 2012. In 1980, an average firm held $0.04 in cash for $1.00 of R&D spending, but this had increased to $0.60 by 2012. The...

Using the extent to which firms rely on knowledge workers, we find significant unequal distribution of economic gains across workers and firms after non-compete enforcement weakens. While lower enforceability may expose firms to greater hold-up problems, it incentivizes workers to invest in...

We examine the extent to which the quality of innovation created in different locations is related to subsequent changes in house prices in these metropolitan areas. Cities that foster a healthy quality of innovation are likely the home of many successful entrepreneurs and firms that provide...