Labour Outsourcing and Enterprise Innovation

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of labor outsourcing on enterprise innovation. The research finds that labor outsourcing significantly promotes enterprise innovation. Mechanism tests reveal that labor outsourcing can enhance enterprise R&D innovation and core competitiveness through three channels:improving labor allocation efficiency, adjusting personnel structure, and mitigating risks. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the above effects are more pronounced for enterprises in high-tech and highly competitive industries, small-scale enterprises, and those with low levels of physical investment and market position. Further research indicates that the innovation promotion effect of labor outsourcing leads to an increase in enterprise total factor productivity and cost markups. This paper provides evidence on whether labor outsourcing can promote enterprise innovation and high-quality development, which is of great significance for promoting enterprise high-quality development and achieving the national innovation-driven development strategy.

Key words: labor outsourcing, enterprise innovation, high-quality development

Chen Jiaying, Li Zengfu. Labour Outsourcing and Enterprise Innovation[J]. Management Review, 2026, 38(5): 80-90.

References

[1] 李海舰,李凌霄.中国"共享员工"劳动用工模式研究[J].中国工业经济, 2022,(11):116-134 Li H. J., Li L. X. Research on China's "Sharing Employees" Labor Employment Model[J]. China Industrial Economics, 2022,(11):116-134
[2] 杨国超,魏爽,院茜,等.企业为何选择劳务外包——基于经济政策不确定性的解释[J].中国工业经济, 2023,(9):136-154 Yang G. C., Wei S., Yuan X., et al. Why do Companies Choose Labor Outsourcing:An Explanation Based on Economic Policy Uncertainty[J]. China Industrial Economics, 2023,(9):136-154
[3] 汤旭东,贾洋.社保费征管与企业灵活用工:来自社保新规的准自然实验[J].世界经济, 2024,47(8):228-256 Tang X. D., Jia Y. Social Security Contributions and Corporate Flexible Employment:A Quasi-natural Experiment from the New Social Security Regulations[J]. The Journal of World Economy, 2024,47(8):228-256
[4] 莫怡青,李力行.零工经济对创业的影响——以外卖平台的兴起为例[J].管理世界, 2022,38(2):31-45 Mo Y. Q., Li L. X. Gig Economy and Entrepreneurship:Evidence from the Entry of Food Delivery Platforms[J]. Journal of Management World, 2022,38(2):31-45
[5] 王永贵,马双,杨宏恩.服务外包中创新能力的测量、提升与绩效影响研究——基于发包与承包双方知识转移视角的分析[J].管理世界, 2015,(6):85-98 Wang Y. G., Ma S., Yang H. E. Measurement, Promotion and Performance Impact of Innovation Capability in Service Outsourcing:An Analysis Based on the Perspective of Knowledge Transfer between the Outsourcer and the Contractor[J]. Journal of Management World, 2015,(6):85-98
[6] 周黎安,罗凯.企业规模与创新:来自中国省级水平的经验证据[J].经济学(季刊), 2005,(2):623-638 Zhou L. A., Luo K. Firm Size and Innovation:Evidence from China's Province-Level Data[J]. China Economic Quarterly, 2005,(2):623-638
[7] 翟士运.企业财务结构失调与技术创新投入——来自"存贷双高"的经验证据[J].管理评论, 2025,37(5):81-93 Zhai S. Y. Enterprise Structural Disorder and Technological Innovation Investment:Empirical Evidence from "High Deposit and High Loan" [J]. Management Review, 2025,37(5):81-93
[8] 张栋,胡文龙,毛新述.研发背景高管权力与公司创新[J].中国工业经济, 2021,(4):156-174 Zhang D., Hu W. L., Mao X. S. Power of R&D Background Executives and Corporate Innovation[J]. China Industrial Economics, 2021,(4):156-174
[9] 郝项超,梁琪.非高管股权激励与企业创新:公平理论视角[J].金融研究, 2022,(3):171-188 Hao X. C., Liang Q. Non-Executive Stock-Based Incentives and Corporate Innovation:An Equity Theory Perspective[J]. Journal of Financial Research, 2022,(3):171-188
[10] 徐炜,张小萱,马树元,等.国资参股与家族企业创新持续性——家族控制结构异质性的调节作用[J].管理评论, 2025,37(7):127-140 Xu W., Zhang X. X., Ma S. Y., et al. State-owned Equity Participation and the Innovation Persistence of Family Enterprises:The Moderating Effects of Family Control Structure Heterogeneity[J]. Management Review, 2025,37(7):127-140
[11] Acharya V. V., Baghai R. P., Subramanian K. V. Wrongful Discharge Laws and Innovation[J]. The Review of Financial Studies, 2014,27(1):301-346
[12] 姜中裕.科技金融政策对企业关键核心技术创新的影响研究[J].金融经济学研究, 2025,40(2):38-55 Jiang Z. Y. The Impact of Fintech Policies on Innovation in Enterprises'Core Technologies[J]. Financial Economics Research, 2025,40(2):38-55
[13] 杨立勋,苏子淇.绿色金融政策与企业绿色创新的内在机理与实证检验——基于A股重污染上市公司数据[J].农村金融研究, 2024,(10):19-34 Yang L. X., Su Z. Q. The Internal Mechanism and Empirical Test of Green Finance Policy and Corporate Green Innovation-Based on the Data of A-share Listed Companies[J]. Rural Finance Research, 2024,(10):19-34
[14] 常丽,武小楠.政府投资基金对初创期企业创新绩效的影响研究——基于政府配置资源市场化改革视角[J].会计研究, 2022,(8):135-148 Chang L., Wu X. N. Research on the Impact of Government Investment Fund on the Start-up Enterprises Innovation Performance-From the Perspective of Market-oriented Reform of Government Allocation of Resources[J]. Accounting Research, 2022,(8):135-148
[15] 董景荣,陈懿盟.研发补贴、知识产权保护对企业自主创新投入的影响研究[J].重庆师范大学学报(社会科学版), 2024,44(3):72-83 Dong J. R., Chen Y. M. Study on the Impact of R&D Subsidies and Intellectual Property Protection on Enterprise Independent Innovation Inputs[J]. Journal of Chongqing Normal University (Edition of Social Sciences), 2024,44(3):72-83
[16] 涂永前.应对灵活用工的劳动法制度重构[J].中国法学, 2018,(5):216-234 Tu Y. Q. Reconstruction of the Labor Law System for Flexible Employment[J]. China Legal Science, 2018,(5):216-234
[17] 王全兴,刘琦.我国新经济下灵活用工的特点、挑战和法律规制[J].法学评论, 2019,37(4):79-94 Wang Q. X., Liu Q. Characteristics, Challenges and Legal Regulations of China's Flexible Employment in New Economy[J]. Law Review, 2019,37(4):79-94
[18] 刘瑶.外包与要素价格:从特定要素模型角度的分析[J].经济研究, 2011,46(3):48-58 Liu Y. Outsourcing and Factor Price:Analysis from the View of Specific Factor Model[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2011,46(3):48-58
[19] 姚战琪.工业和服务外包对中国工业生产率的影响[J].经济研究, 2010,45(7):91-102 Yao Z. Q. The Impacts of Industrial and Services Outsourcing on Productivity:Based on China's Industrial Panel'Analysis[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2010,45(7):91-102
[20] Conti R., Gambardella A., Mariani M. Learning to Be Edison:Inventors, Organizations, and Breakthrough Inventions[J]. Organization Science, 2014,25(3):833-849
[21] 王俊.跨国外包体系中的技术溢出与承接国技术创新[J].中国社会科学, 2013,(9):108-125 Wang J. Technology Spillovers in the Transnational Outsourcing System and the Technological Innovation of the Receiving Country[J]. Social Sciences in China, 2013,(9):108-125
[22] Novak S., Stern S. How does Outsourcing Affect Performance Dynamics?Evidence from the Automobile Industry[J]. Management Science, 2008,54(12):1963-1979
[23] 张中元.企业技术研发外包对引入新产品的影响[J].国际贸易问题, 2015,(7):67-76 Zhang Z. Y. Effect of Enterprise's R&D Outsourcing on New Product Development[J]. Journal of International Trade, 2015,(7):67-76
[24] Ikeda Y., Kato M., Kleinknecht A. Flexible Labor, Innovation Regimes and the Erosion of the Japanese Model:Evidence from the Basic Survey on Wage Structure[J]. Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, 2024,70:333-339
[25] 刘诗源,林志帆,冷志鹏.税收激励提高企业创新水平了吗?——基于企业生命周期理论的检验[J].经济研究, 2020,55(6):105-121 Liu S. Y., Lin Z. F., Leng Z. P. Whether Tax Incentives Stimulate Corporate Innovation:Empirical Evidence Based on Corporate Life Cycle Theory[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2020,55(6):105-121
[26] Gilley K. M., Rasheed A. Making More by Doing Less:An Analysis of Outsourcing and Its Effects on Firm Performance[J]. Journal of Management, 2000,26(4):763-790
[27] 王珏,祝继高.劳动保护能促进企业高学历员工的创新吗?——基于A股上市公司的实证研究[J].管理世界, 2018,34(3):139-152 Wang J., Zhu J. G. Can Labor Protection Promote the High-educated Employee's Innovation?[J]. Journal of Management World, 2018,34(3):139-152
[28] 倪骁然,朱玉杰.劳动保护、劳动密集度与企业创新——来自2008年《劳动合同法》实施的证据[J].管理世界, 2016,(7):154-167 Ni X. R., Zhu Y. J. Labor Protection, Labor Intensity and Enterprise Innovation:Evidence from the Implementation of the Labor Contract Law in 2008[J]. Journal of Management World, 2016,(7):154-167