New Paper “The Role of Face-to-face Contact in Innovation: The Evidence from the Spanish Flu Pandemic in Japan” Published

Using the Difference In Difference methodology during the Spanish flu pandemic, the study carefully examines how joint application activities were inhibited by the pandemic.

This is the first empirical study in Japan we developed based on the long-term, since the Meiji period, patent data. The study provides valuable insights useful for studies on the effect of the COVID-19 situation. I feel very honored to be added to the list of co-authors of this Dr’Nakajima’s outstanding study.

The Role of Face-to-face Contact in Innovation: The Evidence from the Spanish Flu Pandemic in Japan

INOUE Hiroyasu (University of Hyogo) / NAKAJIMA Kentaro (Faculty Fellow, RIETI) / OKAZAKI Tetsuji (Faculty Fellow, RIETI) / SAITO Yukiko (Senior Fellow (Specially Appointed), RIETI)

RIETI – The Role of Face-to-face Contact in Innovation: The Evidence from the Spanish Flu Pandemic in Japan

This paper is on Innovation and Knowledge spillovers. In order to make public as quickly as possible the results of theoretical research and policy analysis, discussion papers will be posted on our web site. We hope that this will stimulate further discussion on matters of policy and policy research…