IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/tefoso/v173y2021ics004016252100562x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How do structural holes promote network expansion?

Author

Listed:
  • Guo, Min
  • Yang, Naiding
  • Wang, Jingbei
  • Zhang, Yanlu
  • Wang, Yan

Abstract

Drawing from resource based view and social network theory, we explain how structural holes impact on network expansion in the R&D network. We adopt the social network perspectives to extend this research by offering a model that examines how knowledge recombination moderates relationship between structural holes and network expansion. We collect the panel patent data from information and communication technology (ICT) industry between 1994 and 2016 by Derwent Innovation Database, and use the fixed-effects negative binomial regression model to test the hypotheses. Results reveal that structural holes have a positive impact on network expansion. In addition, this relationship is positively moderated by the potential for knowledge recombination and negatively moderated by coordination cost of knowledge recombination.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Min & Yang, Naiding & Wang, Jingbei & Zhang, Yanlu & Wang, Yan, 2021. "How do structural holes promote network expansion?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:173:y:2021:i:c:s004016252100562x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121129
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004016252100562X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121129?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bruce Kogut & Udo Zander, 1992. "Knowledge of the Firm, Combinative Capabilities, and the Replication of Technology," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(3), pages 383-397, August.
    2. Michael Hitt & M. Tina Dacin & Edward Levitas & Jean-Luc Arregle & Anca Borza, 2000. "Partner Selection in Emerging and Developed Market Contexts : Resource-Based and Organizational Learning Perspectives," Post-Print hal-02276706, HAL.
    3. Rafael A Corredoira & Gerald A McDermott, 2014. "Adaptation, bridging and firm upgrading: How non-market institutions and MNCs facilitate knowledge recombination in emerging markets," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(6), pages 699-722, August.
    4. Min Guo & Naiding Yang & Jingbei Wang & Yanlu Zhang, 2021. "Multi-dimensional proximity and network stability: the moderating role of network cohesion," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(4), pages 3471-3499, April.
    5. Grazia Cecere & Müge Özman Gossart, 2014. "Innovation, recombination and technological proximity," Post-Print hal-02394320, HAL.
    6. Antonio Capaldo, 2007. "Network structure and innovation: The leveraging of a dual network as a distinctive relational capability," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 585-608, June.
    7. Gerard George & Reddi Kotha & Yanfeng Zheng, 2008. "Entry into Insular Domains: A Longitudinal Study of Knowledge Structuration and Innovation in Biotechnology Firms," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(8), pages 1448-1474, December.
    8. Krister Salamonsen & Jan Terje Henriksen, 2015. "Small Businesses Need Strong Mediators: Mitigating the Disadvantages of Peripheral Localization Through Alliance Formation," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 529-549, March.
    9. Gautam Ahuja, 2000. "The duality of collaboration: inducements and opportunities in the formation of interfirm linkages," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 317-343, March.
    10. Brenda Bos & Dries Faems & Florian Noseleit, 2017. "Alliance Concentration in Multinational Companies: Examining Alliance Portfolios, Firm Structure, and Firm Performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(11), pages 2298-2309, November.
    11. Shukla, Dhirendra Mani & Mital, Amita & Qureshi, Israr & Wang, Taiyuan, 2020. "Valuation effects of alliance portfolio expansion speed and strength: Evidence from high-tech firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 370-383.
    12. Konstantinos Grigoriou & Frank T. Rothaermel, 2017. "Organizing for knowledge generation: internal knowledge networks and the contingent effect of external knowledge sourcing," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 395-414, February.
    13. Brennecke, Julia & Rank, Olaf, 2017. "The firm’s knowledge network and the transfer of advice among corporate inventors—A multilevel network study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 768-783.
    14. Solon Moreira & Arjan Markus & Keld Laursen, 2018. "Knowledge diversity and coordination: The effect of intrafirm inventor task networks on absorption speed," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(9), pages 2517-2546, September.
    15. Lori Rosenkopf & Giovanna Padula, 2008. "Investigating the Microstructure of Network Evolution: Alliance Formation in the Mobile Communications Industry," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(5), pages 669-687, October.
    16. Jeffrey H. Dyer, 1997. "Effective interim collaboration: how firms minimize transaction costs and maximise transaction value," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 535-556, August.
    17. Constance E. Helfat, 1994. "Evolutionary Trajectories in Petroleum Firm R&D," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 40(12), pages 1720-1747, December.
    18. Lucia-Palacios, Laura & Bordonaba-Juste, Victoria & Polo-Redondo, Yolanda & Grünhagen, Marko, 2014. "Technological opportunism effects on IT adoption, intra-firm diffusion and performance: Evidence from the U.S. and Spain," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 1178-1188.
    19. Ulrich Wassmer & Pierre Dussauge, 2012. "Network resource stocks and flows : How do alliance portfolios affect the value of new alliance formations?," Post-Print hal-02313044, HAL.
    20. Michael Hitt & M. Tina Dacin & Edward Levitas & Jean-Luc Arregle & Anca Borza, 2000. "Partner Selection in Emerging and Developed Market Contexts : Resource-Based and Organizational Learning Perspectives," Post-Print hal-02312691, HAL.
    21. Keijl, S. & Gilsing, V.A. & Knoben, J. & Duysters, G., 2016. "The two faces of inventions: The relationship between recombination and impact in pharmaceutical biotechnology," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(5), pages 1061-1074.
    22. Pangarkar, Nitin & Yuan, Lin & Hussain, Sairah, 2017. "Too much of a good thing? Alliance portfolio size and alliance expansion," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 477-485.
    23. Grazia Cecere & Muge Ozman, 2014. "Innovation, Recombination and Technological Proximity," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 646-667, September.
    24. Ulrich Wassmer & Pierre Dussauge, 2012. "Network resource stocks and flows: how do alliance portfolios affect the value of new alliance formations?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(7), pages 871-883, July.
    25. Nielsen, Bo Bernhard, 2003. "An Empirical Investigation of the Drivers of International Strategic Alliance Formation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 301-322, June.
    26. Toby E. Stuart, 2000. "Interorganizational alliances and the performance of firms: a study of growth and innovation rates in a high‐technology industry," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(8), pages 791-811, August.
    27. J.P. Eggers, 2012. "All experience is not created equal: learning, adapting, and focusing in product portfolio management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 315-335, March.
    28. Koen H. Heimeriks & Geert Duysters, 2007. "Alliance Capability as a Mediator Between Experience and Alliance Performance: An Empirical Investigation into the Alliance Capability Development Process," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(1), pages 25-49, January.
    29. Gurneeta Vasudeva & Akbar Zaheer & Exequiel Hernandez, 2013. "The Embeddedness of Networks: Institutions, Structural Holes, and Innovativeness in the Fuel Cell Industry," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(3), pages 645-663, June.
    30. Lee Fleming, 2001. "Recombinant Uncertainty in Technological Search," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(1), pages 117-132, January.
    31. Ranjay Gulati, 1999. "Network location and learning: the influence of network resources and firm capabilities on alliance formation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(5), pages 397-420, May.
    32. Gonzalez-Brambila, Claudia N. & Veloso, Francisco M. & Krackhardt, David, 2013. "The impact of network embeddedness on research output," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(9), pages 1555-1567.
    33. James G. March, 1991. "Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 71-87, February.
    34. Akbar Zaheer & Geoffrey G. Bell, 2005. "Benefiting from network position: firm capabilities, structural holes, and performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(9), pages 809-825, September.
    35. Evan Rawley, 2010. "Diversification, coordination costs, and organizational rigidity: evidence from microdata," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 873-891, August.
    36. Tang, Tanya (Ya) & Fisher, Gregory J. & Qualls, William, 2016. "Interfirm alliance configuration as a strategy to reduce shareholder risks," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(3), pages 1199-1207.
    37. Amrit Tiwana & Mark Keil, 2007. "Does peripheral knowledge complement control? An empirical test in technology outsourcing alliances," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 623-634, June.
    38. Ye Dai & John C. Goodale & Gukdo Byun & Fangsheng Ding, 2018. "Strategic Flexibility in New High†Technology Ventures," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(2), pages 265-294, March.
    39. Zhang, JingJing & Yan, Yan & Guan, JianCheng, 2019. "Recombinant distance, network governance and recombinant innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 260-272.
    40. Wagner, Caroline S. & Whetsell, Travis A. & Mukherjee, Satyam, 2019. "International research collaboration: Novelty, conventionality, and atypicality in knowledge recombination," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5), pages 1260-1270.
    41. Ulrich Wassmer & Pierre Dussauge, 2012. "Network resource stocks and flows: how do alliance portfolios affect the value of new alliance formations?," Post-Print hal-00696858, HAL.
    42. Grazia Cecere & Müge Özman Gossart, 2014. "Innovation, recombination and technological proximity," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-02394320, HAL.
    43. Pierre Dussauge & Ulrich Wassmer, 2011. "Value Creation in Alliance Portfolios: The Benefits and Costs of Network Resource Interdependencies," Post-Print hal-00609489, HAL.
    44. Andrew V. Shipilov, 2009. "Firm Scope Experience, Historic Multimarket Contact with Partners, Centrality, and the Relationship Between Structural Holes and Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(1), pages 85-106, February.
    45. Appio, Francesco Paolo & Martini, Antonella & Fantoni, Gualtiero, 2017. "The light and shade of knowledge recombination: Insights from a general-purpose technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 154-165.
    46. Tzabbar, Daniel & Aharonson, Barak S. & Amburgey, Terry L., 2013. "When does tapping external sources of knowledge result in knowledge integration?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(2), pages 481-494.
    47. Samina Karim & Aseem Kaul, 2015. "Structural Recombination and Innovation: Unlocking Intraorganizational Knowledge Synergy Through Structural Change," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(2), pages 439-455, April.
    48. Lee, Cheng-Yu & Wang, Ming-Chao & Huang, Yen-Chih, 2015. "The double-edged sword of technological diversity in R&D alliances: Network position and learning speed as moderators," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 450-461.
    49. Samina Karim & Charles Williams, 2012. "Structural knowledge: how executive experience with structural composition affects intrafirm mobility and unit reconfiguration," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(6), pages 681-709, June.
    50. Dibiaggio, Ludovic & Nasiriyar, Maryam & Nesta, Lionel, 2014. "Substitutability and complementarity of technological knowledge and the inventive performance of semiconductor companies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(9), pages 1582-1593.
    51. Ulrich Wassmer & Pierre Dussauge, 2011. "Value creation in alliance portfolios : The benefits and costs of network resource interdependencies," Post-Print hal-02313045, HAL.
    52. Lee, Won Sang & Sohn, So Young, 2018. "Effects of standardization on the evolution of information and communications technology," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 308-317.
    53. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/43aq8ffdqb82sbffkv69bt1eaa is not listed on IDEAS
    54. Wonseok Oh & Sangyong Jeon, 2007. "Membership Herding and Network Stability in the Open Source Community: The Ising Perspective," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(7), pages 1086-1101, July.
    55. Ritala, Paavo & Huizingh, Eelko & Almpanopoulou, Argyro & Wijbenga, Paul, 2017. "Tensions in R&D networks: Implications for knowledge search and integration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 311-322.
    56. Yan, Yan & Guan, JianCheng, 2018. "Social capital, exploitative and exploratory innovations: The mediating roles of ego-network dynamics," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 244-258.
    57. Geoffrey Martin & Remzi Gözübüyük & Manuel Becerra, 2015. "Interlocks and firm performance: The role of uncertainty in the directorate interlock-performance relationship," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(2), pages 235-253, February.
    58. Xiaoli Yin & Jianfeng Wu & Wenpin Tsai, 2012. "When Unconnected Others Connect: Does Degree of Brokerage Persist After the Formation of a Multipartner Alliance?," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(6), pages 1682-1699, December.
    59. Rothaermel, Frank T. & Deeds, David L., 2006. "Alliance type, alliance experience and alliance management capability in high-technology ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 429-460, July.
    60. Sai Yayavaram & Wei-Ru Chen, 2015. "Changes in firm knowledge couplings and firm innovation performance: The moderating role of technological complexity," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 377-396, March.
    61. Marc Gruber & Dietmar Harhoff & Karin Hoisl, 2013. "Knowledge Recombination Across Technological Boundaries: Scientists vs. Engineers," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 59(4), pages 837-851, April.
    62. Sai Yayavaram & Manish K. Srivastava & MB Sarkar, 2018. "Role of search for domain knowledge and architectural knowledge in alliance partner selection," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(8), pages 2277-2302, August.
    63. Juan Alcácer & Minyuan Zhao, 2012. "Local R&D Strategies and Multilocation Firms: The Role of Internal Linkages," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 58(4), pages 734-753, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Oh, Eun-Teak & Chen, Hao-Cheng & Nakamoto, Ryuichi & Liu, Ren-Jye, 2024. "Alliance portfolio configuration strategies as catalysts for innovation: Evidence from international alliances between Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturing corporations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    2. Na Zhang & Lu Cheng & Chao Sun & Julie Callaert & Bart Looy, 2023. "The role of inter- and intra-organisational networks in innovation: towards requisite variety," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(7), pages 4117-4136, July.
    3. Lu, Shuai & Li, Shouwei & Zhou, Wei & Yang, Wenke, 2022. "Network herding of energy funds in the post-Carbon-Peak Policy era: Does it benefit profitability and stability?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    4. Li, Hao & Wang, Zhao-Hua & Zhang, Bin, 2023. "How social interaction induce energy-saving behaviors in buildings: Interpersonal & passive interactions v.s. public & active interactions," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    5. Naeini, Ali Bonyadi & Zamani, Mehdi & Daim, Tugrul U. & Sharma, Mahak & Yalcin, Haydar, 2022. "Conceptual structure and perspectives on “innovation management”: A bibliometric review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    6. Dolores Modic & Borut Lužar & Tohru Yoshioka-Kobayashi, 2023. "Structure of university licensing networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(2), pages 901-932, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tom Broekel & Matthias Brachert, 2015. "The structure and evolution of inter-sectoral technological complementarity in R&D in Germany from 1990 to 2011," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 25(4), pages 755-785, September.
    2. Casanueva, Cristóbal & Gallego, Ángeles & Sancho, María, 2013. "Network resources and social capital in airline alliance portfolios," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 441-453.
    3. Doohee Chung & Marco Jinhwan Kim & Jina Kang, 2019. "Influence of alliance portfolio diversity on innovation performance: the role of internal capabilities of value creation," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 13(5), pages 1093-1120, November.
    4. Lee, Cheng-Yu & Wang, Ming-Chao & Huang, Yen-Chih, 2015. "The double-edged sword of technological diversity in R&D alliances: Network position and learning speed as moderators," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 450-461.
    5. Zhang, JingJing & Yan, Yan & Guan, JianCheng, 2019. "Recombinant distance, network governance and recombinant innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 260-272.
    6. Kok, Holmer & Faems, Dries & de Faria, Pedro, 2020. "Ties that matter: The impact of alliance partner knowledge recombination novelty on knowledge utilization in R&D alliances," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(7).
    7. Pangarkar, Nitin & Yuan, Lin & Hussain, Sairah, 2017. "Too much of a good thing? Alliance portfolio size and alliance expansion," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 477-485.
    8. Zakaryan, Arusyak, 2023. "Organizational knowledge networks, search and exploratory invention," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    9. Leone, Maria Isabella & Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio & Natalicchio, Angelo, 2022. "Boundary spanning through external technology acquisition: The moderating role of star scientists and upstream alliances," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    10. Pinar Ozcan, 2018. "Growing with the market: How changing conditions during market growth affect formation and evolution of interfirm ties," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(2), pages 295-328, February.
    11. Sarath Balachandran & Exequiel Hernandez, 2019. "Do Institutional Reforms Perpetuate or Mitigate the Matthew Effect? Intellectual Property Rights and Access to International Alliances," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 4(2), pages 151-174, June.
    12. Casanueva, Cristóbal & Gallego, Ángeles & Castro, Ignacio & Sancho, María, 2014. "Airline alliances: Mobilizing network resources," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 88-98.
    13. Jiao, Hao & Wang, Tang & Yang, Jifeng, 2022. "Team structure and invention impact under high knowledge diversity: An empirical examination of computer workstation industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    14. Elio Shijaku & Martin Larraza-Kintana & Ainhoa Urtasun-Alonso, 2020. "Network centrality and organizational aspirations: A behavioral interaction in the context of international strategic alliances," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(5), pages 813-828, July.
    15. Zhiwei Wang & Hui Sun & Chenxin Ding & Long Xin & Xuechao Xia & Yuanyuan Gong, 2023. "Do Technology Alliance Network Characteristics Promote Ambidextrous Green Innovation? A Perspective from Internal and External Pressures of Firms in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-23, February.
    16. Plantec, Quentin & Le Masson, Pascal & Weil, Benoît, 2021. "Impact of knowledge search practices on the originality of inventions: A study in the oil & gas industry through dynamic patent analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    17. Runhui Lin & Biting Li & Yanhong Lu & Yalin Li, 2024. "Degree assortativity in collaboration networks and breakthrough innovation: the moderating role of knowledge networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(7), pages 3809-3839, July.
    18. Piening, Erk P. & Salge, Torsten Oliver & Schäfer, Sebastian, 2016. "Innovating across boundaries: A portfolio perspective on innovation partnerships of multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 474-485.
    19. Maria Chiara Di Guardo & Kathryn Rudie Harrigan & Elona Marku, 2019. "M&A and diversification strategies: what effect on quality of inventive activity?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(3), pages 669-692, September.
    20. Vikas A. Aggarwal, 2020. "Resource congestion in alliance networks: How a firm's partners’ partners influence the benefits of collaboration," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(4), pages 627-655, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:173:y:2021:i:c:s004016252100562x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00401625 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.