Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics

Working Paper Series,
Research Institute of Industrial Economics

No 1533: Managerial Origin and Firms’ Demand for Labor Migrants: Evidence from Sweden

Mats Hammarstedt (), Fredrik Sjöholm () and Per Skedinger ()
Additional contact information
Mats Hammarstedt: Linnaeus University and, Postal: Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden
Fredrik Sjöholm: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Postal: Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden
Per Skedinger: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN), Postal: Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: This paper examines how managerial background influences firms’ use of labor migration. Using Swedish data, we analyze whether firms led by foreign-born managers are more likely to apply for work permits for non-EU workers. We find that such managers significantly increase the likelihood of application, even after controlling for firm characteristics and regional conditions. Our results suggest that leadership diversity affects access to global labor and how firms engage with migration policy. The study adds new evidence on how firm-level decision-makers shape international recruitment and the institutional channels of cross-border labor mobility.

Keywords: Labor migration; Managerial diversity; Foreign-born managers; Work permits; Sweden; Hiring behavior

JEL-codes: J15; J61; M51

Language: English

12 pages, August 20, 2025

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