Speaker: Xie Jian, Assistant Professor (School of Business, Southern University of Science and Technology)

Host: Xie Mingjia, Assistant Professor (Li Anmin Institute of Economic Research, Liaoning University)

Guest Introduction: Liu Renliang, Assistant Professor (Li Anmin Institute of Economic Research, Liaoning University)

Time: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 10:00-11:30 AM (Beijing Time)

Venue: Conference Room, First Floor, Wuzhouyuan, Chongshan Campus, Liaoning University

Online Platform: Tencent Meeting 358-6417-4104

Language: Chinese/English

Abstract:
We examine the relationship between surname diversity among entrepreneurs and corporate innovation at the county level. While surname diversity may promote information exchange and the generation of new ideas, surname homogeneity can act as a substitute for legal and market forces, particularly in less developed economies. We compute surname diversity using registration data from the universe of Chinese private enterprises. We find that greater surname diversity among entrepreneurs impedes corporate innovation. This is because surname homogeneity within a region can offer property rights protection, enhance cooperation in supply chains, and provide access to talent. However, the negative impact of surname diversity is diminishing over time, driven by improvements in the legal environment and market mechanisms.

Speaker Bio:
Xie Jian, Assistant Professor at the School of Business, Southern University of Science and Technology, and PhD supervisor. He received his PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick, UK, in 2023. His main research areas are Development Economics, Labor Economics, and Corporate Finance. His working papers have been accepted for R&R in internationally renowned economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics and the Journal of Labor Economics.