Exploring the impact of inter-organizational knowledge potential difference: an empirical investigation of inventor mobility

The intricate interplay between inventor mobility and its influence on knowledge transfer has captivated the attention of scholars and policymakers. While the significance of individual characteristics in shaping knowledge transfer performance (KTP) is widely recognized, there is limited understanding regarding another vital factor: the knowledge potential difference (KPD) between the original and the recruiting organization. KPD significantly influence how an inventor's knowledge interacts with their environment, ultimately playing a pivotal role in optimizing knowledge exchange, fostering innovation, and informing strategic decision-making. Leveraging data from the European Patent Office’s PATSTAT database and the Compustat database, this study examines mobility records of 995 inventors, and uses negative binomial regression to analyze how variances in core domain-specific expertise (KPD depth) and diverse knowledge comprehension (KPD breadth) between original and recruiting organizations impact KTP. Additionally, the study investigates how inventors’ cooperation capacity (CC) and intellectual capital (IC) moderate these relationships. Empirical findings reveal an intriguing inverted U-shaped relationship between KPD depth and KTP, and similarly for KPD breadth and KTP. CC enhances the effects of both KPD depth and KPD breadth on KTP. IC magnifying the influence of KPD breadth on KTP. This study expands the horizons of mobility research by embracing an inter-organizational knowledge relational perspective, enriching the understanding of mechanisms driving knowledge transfer in inventor mobility. Beyond academia, this research offers practical insights for talent career strategies, organizational recruitment, and policy formulation, contributing to the strategic orchestration of talent ecosystems.