IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v10y2023i1d10.1057_s41599-023-01774-z.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Climbing up the ladder of abstraction: how to span the boundaries of knowledge space in the online knowledge market?

Author

Listed:
  • Haochuan Cui

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Tiewei Li

    (Nanjing University)

  • Cheng-Jun Wang

    (Nanjing University)

Abstract

The challenge of raising a creative question exists in recombining different categories of knowledge. However, the impact of recombination remains controversial. Drawing on the theories of knowledge recombination and category-spanning, we claim that the impact of knowledge spanning on the appeal of questions is contingent upon questions’ knowledge hierarchy in the knowledge space. Using word embedding models and network analysis to quantify knowledge spanning and knowledge hierarchy respectively, we test our hypotheses with the data collected from a large online knowledge market (N = 463,545). Knowledge spanning has an inverted U-shaped influence on the appeal of questions: the appeal of questions increases up to a threshold, after which point the positive effect reverses. However, with the increase in knowledge hierarchy, the inverted U-shape is weakened and disappears quickly. We fill the research gap by conceptualizing question-asking as knowledge-spanning and highlighting the theoretical underpinnings of knowledge hierarchy. The theoretical and practical implications for future research on knowledge recombination are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Haochuan Cui & Tiewei Li & Cheng-Jun Wang, 2023. "Climbing up the ladder of abstraction: how to span the boundaries of knowledge space in the online knowledge market?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:10:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-023-01774-z
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-023-01774-z
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-023-01774-z
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-023-01774-z?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. Wang, Cheng-Jun & Wu, Lingfei, 2016. "The scaling of attention networks," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 448(C), pages 196-204.
    2. Guan, Jiancheng & Yan, Yan & Zhang, Jing Jing, 2017. "The impact of collaboration and knowledge networks on citations," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 407-422.
    3. Balázs Kovács & Gianluca Carnabuci & Filippo Carlo Wezel, 2021. "Categories, attention, and the impact of inventions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(5), pages 992-1023, May.
    4. repec:nas:journl:v:115:y:2018:p:e3635-e3644 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Jiancheng Guan & Lanxin Pang, 2018. "Bidirectional relationship between network position and knowledge creation in Scientometrics," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(1), pages 201-222, April.
    6. Yanqing Shi & Si Chen & Lele Kang, 2021. "Which questions are valuable in online Q&A communities? A question’s position in a knowledge network matters," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(10), pages 8239-8258, October.
    7. John-Paul Ferguson & Gianluca Carnabuci, 2017. "Risky Recombinations: Institutional Gatekeeping in the Innovation Process," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 133-151, February.
    8. Fragkiskos Papadopoulos & Maksim Kitsak & M. Ángeles Serrano & Marián Boguñá & Dmitri Krioukov, 2012. "Popularity versus similarity in growing networks," Nature, Nature, vol. 489(7417), pages 537-540, September.
    9. Stephanie Watts Sussman & Wendy Schneier Siegal, 2003. "Informational Influence in Organizations: An Integrated Approach to Knowledge Adoption," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 14(1), pages 47-65, March.
    10. Jungpyo Lee & So Young Sohn, 2021. "Recommendation system for technology convergence opportunities based on self-supervised representation learning," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(1), pages 1-25, January.
    11. Andrea Fronzetti Colladon & Ciriaco Andrea D’Angelo & Peter A. Gloor, 2020. "Predicting the future success of scientific publications through social network and semantic analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(1), pages 357-377, July.
    12. Tristan Fitzgerald & Benjamin Balsmeier & Lee Fleming & Gustavo Manso, 2021. "Innovation Search Strategy and Predictable Returns," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(2), pages 1109-1137, February.
    13. Michael T. Hannan & László Pólos & Glenn R. Carroll, 2007. "Language Matters, from Logics of Organization Theory: Audiences, Codes, and Ecologies," Introductory Chapters, in: Logics of Organization Theory: Audiences, Codes, and Ecologies, Princeton University Press.
    14. Hu, Ya-Han & Tai, Chun-Tien & Liu, Kang Ernest & Cai, Cheng-Fang, 2020. "Identification of highly-cited papers using topic-model-based and bibliometric features: the consideration of keyword popularity," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1).
    15. Greta Hsu & Giacomo Negro & Fabrizio Perretti, 2012. "Hybrids in Hollywood: a study of the production and performance of genre-spanning films," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 21(6), pages 1427-1450, December.
    16. Giacomo Negro & Michael T. Hannan & Hayagreeva Rao, 2011. "Category Reinterpretation and Defection: Modernism and Tradition in Italian Winemaking," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(6), pages 1449-1463, December.
    17. Xiaomo Liu & G. Alan Wang & Weiguo Fan & Zhongju Zhang, 2020. "Finding Useful Solutions in Online Knowledge Communities: A Theory-Driven Design and Multilevel Analysis," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(3), pages 731-752, September.
    18. Na Liu & Jianqi Mao & Jiancheng Guan, 2020. "Knowledge convergence and organization innovation: the moderating role of relational embeddedness," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 125(3), pages 1899-1921, December.
    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. Wang, Cheng-Jun & Yan, Lihan & Cui, Haochuan, 2023. "Unpacking the essential tension of knowledge recombination: Analyzing the impact of knowledge spanning on citation impact and disruptive innovation," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 17(4).

    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. Wang, Cheng-Jun & Yan, Lihan & Cui, Haochuan, 2023. "Unpacking the essential tension of knowledge recombination: Analyzing the impact of knowledge spanning on citation impact and disruptive innovation," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 17(4).
    2. Zhai, Li & Yan, Xiangbin, 2022. "A directed collaboration network for exploring the order of scientific collaboration," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 16(4).
    3. Elizabeth G. Pontikes & William P. Barnett, 2015. "The Persistence of Lenient Market Categories," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(5), pages 1415-1431, October.
    4. Susan Olzak, 2022. "The Impact of Ideological Ambiguity on Terrorist Organizations," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 66(4-5), pages 836-866, May.
    5. Michael Lounsbury & Christine M. Beckman, 2015. "Celebrating Organization Theory," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(2), pages 288-308, March.
    6. Anqi Ma & Yu Liu & Xiujuan Xu & Tao Dong, 2021. "A deep-learning based citation count prediction model with paper metadata semantic features," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(8), pages 6803-6823, August.
    7. Vossen, Alexander & Ihl, Christoph, 2020. "More than words! How narrative anchoring and enrichment help to balance differentiation and conformity of entrepreneurial products," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 35(6).
    8. Elizabeth George Pontikes, 2022. "Category innovation in the software industry: 1990–2002," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(9), pages 1697-1727, September.
    9. Qianqian Jin & Hongshu Chen & Ximeng Wang & Tingting Ma & Fei Xiong, 2022. "Exploring funding patterns with word embedding-enhanced organization–topic networks: a case study on big data," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(9), pages 5415-5440, September.
    10. Wanjun Xia & Tianrui Li & Chongshou Li, 2023. "A review of scientific impact prediction: tasks, features and methods," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(1), pages 543-585, January.
    11. David G. McKendrick & Michael T. Hannan, 2014. "Oppositional Identities and Resource Partitioning: Distillery Ownership in Scotch Whisky, 1826–2009," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(4), pages 1272-1286, August.
    12. Liu Li & Chaoying Tang, 2020. "How Does Inter-Organizational Cooperation Impact Organizations’ Scientific Knowledge Generation? Evidence from the Biomass Energy Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    13. Alicia Barroso & Marco S. Giarratana & Samira Reis & Olav Sorenson, 2016. "Crowding, satiation, and saturation: The days of television series' lives," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(3), pages 565-585, March.
    14. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & Gino Cattani & Joseph F. Porac & Howard Thomas, 2017. "Categories and competition," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 64-92, January.
    15. Xiaohui Zhang & Qianzhou Du & Zhongju Zhang, 2022. "A theory‐driven machine learning system for financial disinformation detection," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(8), pages 3160-3179, August.
    16. Keye Wu & Ziyue Xie & Jia Tina Du, 2024. "Does science disrupt technology? Examining science intensity, novelty, and recency through patent-paper citations in the pharmaceutical field," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 129(9), pages 5469-5491, September.
    17. Heewon Chae, 2022. "Income or education? Community‐level antecedents of firms' category‐spanning activities," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(1), pages 93-129, January.
    18. Christophe Boone & Serden Özcan, 2020. "Oppositional Logics and the Antecedents of Hybridization: A Country-Level Study of the Diffusion of Islamic Banking Windows, 1975–2017," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 31(4), pages 990-1011, July.
    19. Yongren Shi & Yisook Lim & Chan S Suh, 2018. "Innovation or deviation? The relationship between boundary crossing and audience evaluation in the music field," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, October.
    20. Jeongsik “Jay” Lee & Hyun Ju Jung & Hyunwoo Park, 2023. "Rare is beautiful? Rareness, technology value, and the moderating role of search domain and knowledge maturity," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(4), pages 1019-1040, April.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:pal:palcom:v:10:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-023-01774-z. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.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.