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The Impact of Knowledge Worker Mobility through an Acquisition on Breakthrough Knowledge

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  • Haemin Dennis Park
  • Michael D. Howard
  • David M. Gomulya

Abstract

Acquisitions enable firms to access new knowledge from target firms, along with the scientists who created the knowledge, to enhance their own knowledge creation outcomes. We explore how the retention of target firm scientists and acquired knowledge characteristics affect new knowledge creation outcomes for the acquiring firms. Using a sample of 111,227 patents following 301 high†tech acquisitions in 1990–2000, we find that acquiring firms that avoid the exodus of target firm scientists increase their likelihood of creating highly impactful knowledge. Moreover, the characteristics of acquired knowledge and organizational context of the acquiring firms moderate this relationship. The positive effect of target firm scientist retention on the likelihood of creating highly impactful knowledge during the post†acquisition period is stronger when the acquired knowledge is complex, whereas such a relationship is weaker when the acquired knowledge stock is similar to that of the acquiring firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Haemin Dennis Park & Michael D. Howard & David M. Gomulya, 2018. "The Impact of Knowledge Worker Mobility through an Acquisition on Breakthrough Knowledge," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 86-107, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:55:y:2018:i:1:p:86-107
    DOI: 10.1111/joms.12320
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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Xiao & Åsa Lindholm Dahlstrand, 2023. "Skill-biased acquisitions? Human capital and employee mobility in small technology firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 1219-1247, March.
    2. Keivan Aghasi & Massimo G. Colombo & Cristina Rossi‐Lamastra, 2022. "Post‐Acquisition Retention of Target Founder‐CEOs: Looking Beneath the Surface," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(4), pages 958-997, June.
    3. Boeker, Warren & Howard, Michael D. & Basu, Sandip & Sahaym, Arvin, 2021. "Interpersonal relationships, digital technologies, and innovation in entrepreneurial ventures," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 495-507.
    4. Christofi, Michael & Vrontis, Demetris & Thrassou, Alkis & Shams, S.M. Riad, 2019. "Triggering technological innovation through cross-border mergers and acquisitions: A micro-foundational perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 148-166.
    5. Atakhan-Kenneweg, Melda & Oerlemans, Leon A.G. & Raab, Jörg, 2021. "New inter-organizational knowledge tie formation after firm relocation: Investigating the impact of spatial, relational, and temporal context," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 264-276.
    6. Xiao, Jing & Lindholm Dahlstrand, Åsa, 2021. "Skill-biased acquisitions? Human capital and target employee mobility in small technology firms," Papers in Innovation Studies 2021/12, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    7. Scoresby, Richard B. & Park, Haemin, 2021. "The joint effects of individual and firm level knowledge attributes on inventor mobility to entrepreneurial and established firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 218-230.

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