Private entrepreneurs’ technical background and innovation output: The perspective of innovation quantity and quality

This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurs' technical backgrounds on innovation output from the perspective of innovation quantity and quality, using data from A-share listed private companies in China between 2009 and 2018. Our analysis reveals that CEOs with technical expertise significantly enhance both the quantity and quality of firm innovation. We identify three key mechanisms through which technical backgrounds promote innovation: increased management attention to innovation, reduced information asymmetry, and enhanced long-term investment. These findings contribute to the literature on Upper Echelons Theory and corporate innovation, offering practical insights for private enterprises aiming to achieve talent-driven technological innovation and foster high-quality development.