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Inter-Firm Collaboration And Innovation Performance For New-To-Market Products — The Moderating Role Of Technological And Skills-Related Knowledge Assets

Author

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  • NUTTANEEYA ANN TORUGSA

    (Australian Innovation Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 108, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia)

  • ANTHONY ARUNDEL

    (Australian Innovation Research Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 108, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia†UNU-MERIT, University of Maastricht, Keizer Karelplein 19, 6211 TC, Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • WAYNE O’DONOHUE

    (#x2021;Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia)

Abstract

This study examines the impact that the two types of knowledge assets — technological knowledge and skills-related knowledge — have on the link between inter-firm collaboration (IFC) and product innovation performance, measured by the sales share of new-to-market products. Drawing on transaction cost economics (TCE), we propose that the relation specificity of these knowledge assets that a firm shares with its partners (reflecting its level of research and development (R&D) and training investments, respectively) is a key determinant of the benefits and transaction costs associated with IFC. Using a two-wave panel of 480 innovating firms in the Australian state of Tasmania, we find that the observed positive association between IFC and the sales share of new-to-market products declines at high levels of R&D and training intensities. Our findings help strengthen an understanding of the role of transaction costs for relation-specific knowledge assets and the factors that could influence the value of IFC as a pathway to enhanced innovation performance for new-to-market products.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuttaneeya Ann Torugsa & Anthony Arundel & Wayne O’Donohue, 2016. "Inter-Firm Collaboration And Innovation Performance For New-To-Market Products — The Moderating Role Of Technological And Skills-Related Knowledge Assets," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(06), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:ijimxx:v:20:y:2016:i:06:n:s136391961650050x
    DOI: 10.1142/S136391961650050X
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