Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/171168 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
Oldenburg Discussion Papers in Economics No. V-402-17
Publisher: 
University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics, Oldenburg
Abstract: 
This paper hypothesizes and empirically establishes the persistent effects of novelty-seeking traits on crosscountry differences in scientifc knowledge creation. I use data on the prevalence of specifc allele variants of the human DRD4 exon III gene, which population geneticists have linked to the human phenotype of novelty-seeking behavior to examine its relationship to scientifc knowledge creation in society. The results suggest a positive and statistically signifcant linear relationship between both outcomes that is consistent with the hypothesis that the prevalence of novelty-seeking traits in society facilitates scientifc knowledge creation through benefcial human behaviors related to risk-taking and explorative behavior. The empirical fndings remain qualitatively unaffected when controlling for additional historical, biogeographical, and socioeconomic factors that appear as additional important determinants in the creation of scientifc knowledge in society.
Subjects: 
DRD4 Exon III
Novelty-Seeking Traits
Entrepreneurial Activity
Knowledge Creation
Technological Progress
Economic Development
Natural Selection
Genetic Diversity
JEL: 
N70
O30
O50
Z10
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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