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Linking technological and educational level diversities to innovation performance

Author

Listed:
  • Annapoornima M. Subramanian

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Young Rok Choi

    (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Soo-Hoon Lee

    (Old Dominion University)

  • Chang-Chieh Hang

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

In this study, we explore the extent to which diversity of educational levels among research scientists and engineers (RSEs) in the context of a firm’s level of technological diversity influences innovation performance. We used data from the 2004–2008 National R&D Survey in Singapore. The results from 366 firms across different industries indicate that when a firm’s technological domains are heterogeneous, those firms with an RSE workforce comprising similar educational levels have positive innovation performance, measured as the number of patent applications, while those comprising diverse educational levels have negative innovation performance. Our further exploration of the positive interaction between technological domain heterogeneity and similarity of educational levels suggests that firms that had a high ratio of RSEs with lower educational levels had more positive patent outcomes compared to those that had a high ratio of RSEs with higher educational levels. The results show that there are limits to the strength of technological diversity in a firm’s absorptive capacity as explained by organizational demography.

Suggested Citation

  • Annapoornima M. Subramanian & Young Rok Choi & Soo-Hoon Lee & Chang-Chieh Hang, 2016. "Linking technological and educational level diversities to innovation performance," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 182-204, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jtecht:v:41:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s10961-015-9413-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10961-015-9413-z
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    2. Ismail Khan & Imran Khan & Bilal bin Saeed, 2019. "Does board diversity affect quality of corporate social responsibility disclosure? Evidence from Pakistan," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(6), pages 1371-1381, November.
    3. Zhang, Hongyan & Zhang, Lin, 2023. "Public support and energy innovation: Why do firms react differently?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Nooraisah Katmon & Zam Zuriyati Mohamad & Norlia Mat Norwani & Omar Al Farooque, 2019. "Comprehensive Board Diversity and Quality of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from an Emerging Market," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(2), pages 447-481, June.
    5. Ardito, Lorenzo & Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio, 2017. "Breadth of external knowledge sourcing and product innovation: The moderating role of strategic human resource practices," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 261-272.
    6. Lykopoulou Zacharoula, 2020. "Innovation In Managing Educational Services," Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Economics, SOUTH-WEST UNIVERSITY "NEOFIT RILSKI", BLAGOEVGRAD, vol. 8(2), pages 71-85.
    7. Andrea Setti, 2020. "Linking science-based firms with performance factors: An integrative systematic review of literature," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 9(2), pages 09-42, March.
    8. Grillitsch, Markus & Schubert, Torben & Srholec, Martin, 2019. "Knowledge base combinations and firm growth," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 234-247.
    9. Raffaele Fiorentino & Sergio Longobardi & Carla Morrone & Alessandro Scaletti, 2024. "Educational heterogeneity of the founding team of innovative start-ups: confirmations and denials," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 2347-2367, September.
    10. Cristian Barra & Roberto Zotti, 2018. "The contribution of university, private and public sector resources to Italian regional innovation system (in)efficiency," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 432-457, April.
    11. Wen, Jinyan & Li, Jian & Zhou, Qing & Zeng, Deming & Harms, Rainer, 2023. "How firms support formal standardization: The role of alliance portfolio and internal technological diversity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    12. Qian Wang & Luqun Xie & Di Zhu, 2024. "Educational level of researchers in spin-out R&D units and external technology acquisition: The higher, the more?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 236-261, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational level diversity; Technological diversity; Absorptive capacity; Organizational demography;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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