Why it matters: This paper uses longitudinal data on Chinese publicly listed firms (2006–2016) to show that returnee leaders (those with international experience) can boost firm innovation – but this effect is weakened in firms with strong political connectivity, unless dual-background leaders (those with both international and political experience) are present to bridge competing logics.
The findings offer actionable insight for boards, HR, and policy makers about talent composition, governance, and how to translate “brain gain” into innovation outcomes.
Authors & affiliations:
- Jun Xia (The University of Texas at Dallas)
- Fiona Kun Yao (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
- Jianan Li (Towson University)
- Chunlin Liu (Nanjing University)
- Fenmian Wang (University of International Business and Economics)
- Waverly Ding (University of Maryland)
- Hong Zhang (Soochow University).
