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The Effect of Boundary-Spanning Search on Breakthrough Innovations of New Technology Ventures

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  • Chen-Ju Lin
  • Ci-Rong Li

Abstract

This study expands the scope of research on knowledge search and innovation search by investigating the effect of boundary-spanning search behavior on breakthrough innovations of new ventures. Based on an environmental coalignment perspective, we argue that boundary-spanning search is a key activity for new ventures so that they can deal with different market forces to enhance their breakthrough innovations. Most of the hypotheses proposed are supported by the results of a survey of 227 ventures in the high-technology zone of Shenzhen. We found that boundary-spanning search is not only associated positively with breakthrough innovations of new ventures but also plays a significant role in influencing the effect of market forces on both types of innovations. This paper offers insight into the way in which new ventures can achieve both market innovations and technological innovations through different types of boundary-spanning search. Furthermore, this study argues that boundary-spanning search is an important tool that enables new ventures to create more innovative performance under competitive environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen-Ju Lin & Ci-Rong Li, 2013. "The Effect of Boundary-Spanning Search on Breakthrough Innovations of New Technology Ventures," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 93-113, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:indinn:v:20:y:2013:i:2:p:93-113
    DOI: 10.1080/13662716.2013.771479
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    Cited by:

    1. Di Wang & Jianfeng Song & Xiumei Sun & Xueyang Wang, 2022. "A Study on the Impact of Boundary-Spanning Search on the Sustainable Development Performance of Technology Start-Ups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Guckenbiehl, Peter & Corral de Zubielqui, Graciela & Lindsay, Noel, 2021. "Knowledge and innovation in start-up ventures: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    3. Kaifeng Duan & Changcheng Zhang & Junqiang Li & Rui Zhang & Yanwei Zhang, 2020. "Boundary-Spanning Search for Knowledge, Knowledge Reconstruction and the Sustainable Innovation Ability of Agricultural Enterprises: A Chinese Perspective," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.
    4. Ethan Gifford & Daniel Ljungberg & Maureen McKelvey, 2022. "Innovating in knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial firms: exploring the effects of a variety of internal and external knowledge sources on goods and service innovations [Advancing knowledge-intensiv," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 31(5), pages 1259-1284.
    5. Yang, Miaomiao & Wang, Juanru & Zhang, Xiaodi, 2021. "Boundary-spanning search and sustainable competitive advantage: The mediating roles of exploratory and exploitative innovations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 290-299.
    6. Kerr, Clive & Phaal, Robert, 2018. "Directing the technology intelligence activity: An ‘information needs’ template for initiating the search," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 265-276.

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