This paper examines how labor frictions affect investment rate and new firm entry. Using matched employee-employer data from LinkedIn, I first show that increases in the enforceability of non-compete agreements lead to widespread declines in employee departures across seniority levels, driven by...

We provide empirical evidence that strong dismissal laws appear to have a positive effect on the innovative pursuits of firms and their employees. Stringent labor laws provide firms a commitment device to not punish short-run failures and thereby spur their employees to pursue value-enhancing...

This paper empirically examines business starts, deaths, venture capital and patents in relation to U.S. public policy. The most consistent evidence in the data shows that lower levels of labor frictions and higher levels of SBIR awards are associated with more business starts and higher levels...

This paper empirically examines business starts, deaths, venture capital and patents in relation to U.S. public policy. The most consistent evidence in the data shows that lower levels of labor frictions and higher levels of SBIR awards are associated with more business starts and higher levels...

The attached article explores a recurring conflict — the proper classification of workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In this paper, I examine the economic realities test, the legal test currently used to determine which workers are employees, and thus subject to the FLSA, and which...

The paper analyses the relationship between entrepreneurial philanthropy and the competitive process. In doing so, it constructs a typology of entrepreneurial philanthropic behaviour. Such behaviour is conditioned by a combination of ideology and business strategy variables. Ideological...

This paper proposes a three-part test to help simplify worker classification and connect the law with the overall purposes of our economic system. Existing legal tests struggle to provide justifiable and workable guidance for courts, employers, and workers. One recent response has been an...

I theoretically and empirically show that dismissal laws - laws that impose hurdles on firing of employees - spur innovation and thereby economic growth. Theoretically, dismissal laws make it costly for firms to arbitrarily discharge employees. This enables firms to commit to not punish...