IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i11p5614-d561299.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Divisive Faultlines and Knowledge Search in Technological Innovation Network: An Empirical Study of Global Biopharmaceutical Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Long Cheng

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Meng Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Xuming Lou

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Zifeng Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Yang Yang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

Abstract

Divisive faultlines caused by the uneven distribution of relationship strength play an essential role in knowledge search in the technological innovation network, which serves as an important requirement for the technological innovation network’s macro level to expand to the meso-subgroup level and promote its healthy development. Given that the biopharmaceutical industry, as a high-tech industry, plays a vital role in promoting healthy development, this paper uses the joint patent applications of global biopharmaceutical firms from 2003 to 2018 as a sample to construct a technological innovation network, to explore the relationship between divisive faultlines and knowledge search in the technological innovation network. We also study the moderating effect of structural holes in this relationship. The empirical results show that divisive faultlines significantly affect the depth of knowledge search in the technological innovation network. Divisive faultlines have an inverted U-shaped effect on the breadth of knowledge search in the technological innovation network. Structural holes positively moderate the relationship between divisive faultlines and depth of knowledge search but negatively moderate the inverted U-shaped relationship between divisive faultlines and breadth of knowledge search. This research reveals the relationship between divisive faultlines and the knowledge search in the technological innovation network. The research results provide a theoretical basis and management enlightenment to improve biopharmaceutical firms’ knowledge search ability and promote healthy and sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Long Cheng & Meng Wang & Xuming Lou & Zifeng Chen & Yang Yang, 2021. "Divisive Faultlines and Knowledge Search in Technological Innovation Network: An Empirical Study of Global Biopharmaceutical Firms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5614-:d:561299
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/11/5614/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/11/5614/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rojas, Mariana Giovanna Andrade & Solis, Edgar Rogelio Ramirez & Zhu, John JianJun, 2018. "Innovation and network multiplexity: R&D and the concurrent effects of two collaboration networks in an emerging economy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 1111-1124.
    2. Dovev Lavie & Pamela R. Haunschild & Poonam Khanna, 2012. "Organizational differences, relational mechanisms, and alliance performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(13), pages 1453-1479, December.
    3. Vestal, Alex & Danneels, Erwin, 2018. "Knowledge exchange in clusters: The contingent role of regional inventive concentration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(10), pages 1887-1903.
    4. Esther Tippmann & Pamela Sharkey Scott & Vincent Mangematin, 2012. "Problem solving in MNCs: How local and global solutions are (and are not) created," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(8), pages 746-771, October.
    5. Freeman, C., 1991. "Networks of innovators: A synthesis of research issues," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(5), pages 499-514, October.
    6. Banerjee, Tannista & Siebert, Ralph, 2017. "Dynamic impact of uncertainty on R&D cooperation formation and research performance: Evidence from the bio-pharmaceutical industry," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(7), pages 1255-1271.
    7. Lori Rosenkopf & Atul Nerkar, 2001. "Beyond local search: boundary‐spanning, exploration, and impact in the optical disk industry," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 287-306, April.
    8. Sarath Balachandran & Exequiel Hernandez, 2018. "Networks and Innovation: Accounting for Structural and Institutional Sources of Recombination in Brokerage Triads," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(1), pages 80-99, February.
    9. Edward Bishop Smith & Yuan Hou, 2015. "Redundant Heterogeneity and Group Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(1), pages 37-51, February.
    10. Ranjay Gulati & Maxim Sytch & Adam Tatarynowicz, 2012. "The Rise and Fall of Small Worlds: Exploring the Dynamics of Social Structure," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 449-471, April.
    11. Hyunsung D. Kang & Vikram K. Nanda & Haemin D. Park, 2021. "Technology spillovers and capital gains in corporate venture capital investments: evidence from the biopharmaceutical industry," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 129-155, April.
    12. Lawrence Dooley & David O'Sullivan, 2007. "Managing Within Distributed Innovation Networks," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 11(03), pages 397-416.
    13. Srikanth Paruchuri & Snehal Awate, 2017. "Organizational knowledge networks and local search: The role of intra‐organizational inventor networks," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(3), pages 657-675, March.
    14. Ralph A. Heidl & H. Kevin Steensma & Corey Phelps, 2014. "Divisive Faultlines and the Unplanned Dissolutions of Multipartner Alliances," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(5), pages 1351-1371, October.
    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. Chengwei Ge & Wendong Lv & Junli Wang, 2023. "The Impact of Digital Technology Innovation Network Embedding on Firms’ Innovation Performance: The Role of Knowledge Acquisition and Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Onan Marakali Siregar & Hatta Ridho & Muhammad Arifin Nasution & Muhammad Dharma Tuah Putra Nasution, 2024. "Knowledge Dynamics and Absorptive Capacity: Shaping Innovation Performance in the Service Business of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 14(5), pages 53-66, September.

    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. Jacob, Jojo & Belderbos, René & Lokshin, Boris, 2023. "Entangled modes: Boundaries to effective international knowledge sourcing through technology alliances and technology-based acquisitions," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    2. Benoît Desmarchelier & Faridah Djellal & Faïz Gallouj, 2018. "Public Service Innovation Networks (PSINs): Collaborating for Innovation and Value Creation," Working Papers halshs-01934275, HAL.
    3. Wei Fang & Lulu Tang & Pengxiao Cheng & Naveed Ahmad, 2018. "Evolution Decision, Drivers and Green Innovation Performance for Collaborative Innovation Center of Ecological Building Materials and Environmental Protection Equipment in Jiangsu Province of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Benoît Desmarchelier & Faridah Djellal & Faïz Gallouj, 2019. "Towards a servitization of innovation networks: from traditional innovation networks to public service innovation networks for social innovation," Post-Print halshs-03177975, HAL.
    5. Rajat Khanna & Isin Guler, 2022. "Degree assortativity in collaboration networks and invention performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(7), pages 1402-1430, July.
    6. Vanhaverbeke, W.P.M. & Beerkens, B.E. & Duysters, G.M., 2003. "Explorative and exploitative learning strategies in technology-based alliance networks," Working Papers 03.22, Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies.
    7. repec:pab:wpbsad:16.01 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Zakaryan, Arusyak, 2023. "Organizational knowledge networks, search and exploratory invention," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    9. Ryan, Paul & Geoghegan, Will & Hilliard, Rachel, 2018. "The microfoundations of firms’ explorative innovation capabilities within the triple helix framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 76, pages 15-27.
    10. 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).
    11. Guan, JianCheng & Zuo, KaiRui & Chen, KaiHua & Yam, Richard C.M., 2016. "Does country-level R&D efficiency benefit from the collaboration network structure?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 770-784.
    12. Khanna, Rajat, 2023. "Passing the torch of knowledge: Star death, collaborative ties, and knowledge creation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(1).
    13. Long Cheng & Shiyuan Zhang & Xuming Lou & Jie Huang & Fangping Rao & Rui Bai, 2021. "How Does Tie Strength Dispersion within Inter-Organizational Networks Affect Agricultural Technological Innovation? Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    14. Srikanth Paruchuri, 2010. "Intraorganizational Networks, Interorganizational Networks, and the Impact of Central Inventors: A Longitudinal Study of Pharmaceutical Firms," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(1), pages 63-80, February.
    15. Zhao, Shengchao & Zeng, Deming & Li, Jian & Feng, Ke & Wang, Yao, 2023. "Quantity or quality: The roles of technology and science convergence on firm innovation performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    16. Cirillo, Bruno & Breschi, Stefano & Prencipe, Andrea, 2018. "Divide to connect: Reorganization through R&D unit spinout as linking context of intra-corporate networks," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(9), pages 1585-1600.
    17. Kim, Dennie & Funk, Russell & Zaheer, Aks, 2020. "Structure in Context: A Morphological View of Whole Network Performance," SocArXiv x6q7g, Center for Open Science.
    18. Michael Nippa & Jeffrey J Reuer, 2019. "On the future of international joint venture research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 555-597, June.
    19. Benjamin Weber & Sven Heidenreich, 2016. "Improving Innovation Capabilities By Cooperation: Examining Effects Of Core Network Management Functions And Relational Mechanisms In The Industrial Goods Sector," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(07), pages 1-29, October.
    20. Giacomo Vaccario & Mario V. Tomasello & Claudio J. Tessone & Frank Schweitzer, 2018. "Quantifying knowledge exchange in R&D networks: a data-driven model," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 461-493, August.
    21. Slavova, Kremena & Jong, Simcha, 2021. "University alliances and firm exploratory innovation: Evidence from therapeutic product development," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).

    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:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5614-:d:561299. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.