Can Direct Regulations Spur Innovations in Environmental Technologies? A Study on Firm‐Level Patenting
利用挪威企业面板数据，以违规状态衡量规制严格程度，发现直接环境规制通过隐性成本显著促进企业环境专利创新。
Abstract Using a rich Norwegian panel dataset that includes information about the type and number of patent applications, direct environmental regulations, and a large number of control variables, we analyze the effects of direct regulations on environmental patenting. We use inspection violation status as a measure of regulatory stringency, while controlling for risk class. Violation status captures the probability that a firm might be sanctioned for violating its emission permit. Controlling for risk class captures firm heterogeneity related to dirtiness and inspection frequency. We empirically identify strong and significant effects on innovations resulting from the implicit regulatory costs of direct regulations.