Abstract
We assess whether restrictions on insider trading accelerate or slow technological innovation. Using over 80,000 industry-country-year observations across 74 economies from 1976 to 2006, we find that enforcing insider-trading laws spurs innovation—as measured by patent intensity, scope, impact, generality, and originality. Furthermore, the evidence is consistent with the view that restricting insider trading accelerates innovation by improving the valuation of, and increasing the flow of equity financing to, innovative activities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 749-800 |
| Number of pages | 52 |
| Journal | Journal of Law and Economics |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2017 |