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Are external technology sourcing strategies substitutes or complements? The case of embodied versus disembodied technology acquisition

Author

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  • Cassiman, Bruno

    (IESE Business School)

  • Veugelers, Reinhilde

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the choice between different external technology sourcing activities of a firm. On the one hand, the firm can acquire new technology which is embodied in personnel. On the other hand, the firm can obtain new technology disembodied through a licensing agreement or by outsourcing the technology development from an R&D contractor. Building on Cassiman and Veugelers (2006), we test whether embodied and disembodied technology acquisitions are complementary activities or rather behave as substitute technology acquisition alternatives. We find that while internal and external technology acquisition are complementary innovation activities, the actual choice of external technology sourcing between embodied or disembodied modes is substitutive for smaller firms. The evidence for larger firms suggests that different external technology sourcing activities are complementary, but in this case the results are suggestive although not strongly significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Cassiman, Bruno & Veugelers, Reinhilde, 2007. "Are external technology sourcing strategies substitutes or complements? The case of embodied versus disembodied technology acquisition," IESE Research Papers D/672, IESE Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebg:iesewp:d-0672
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    Cited by:

    1. Shih‐Chu Chou & Yu‐Fang Chu, 2022. "Innovations and earnings non‐synchronicity: evidence from industry M&A activities," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(1), pages 337-367, March.
    2. Alessandra Scandura, 2013. "The role of scientific and market knowledge in the inventive process: evidence from a survey of industrial inventors," ERSA conference papers ersa13p128, European Regional Science Association.
    3. Cédric Schneider, 2009. "External knowledge sourcing: science, market and the value of patented inventions," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(8), pages 551-560.
    4. Alessandra Scandura, 2019. "The role of scientific and market knowledge in the inventive process: evidence from a survey of industrial inventors," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 1029-1069, August.
    5. Carla Mascarenhas & Carla Marques & João J. Ferreira & Anderson Galvão, 2022. "University-Industry Collaboration in a Cross-Border Iberian Regions," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 45(4), pages 444-471, July.
    6. Elena Cefis, 2010. "The impact of M&A on technology sourcing strategies," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(1), pages 27-51.
    7. Krammer, Sorin M.S., 2014. "Assessing the relative importance of multiple channels for embodied and disembodied technological spillovers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 272-286.
    8. Cefis, Elena & Marsili, Orietta, 2015. "Crossing the innovation threshold through mergers and acquisitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 698-710.
    9. Scandura, Alessandra, 2016. "University–industry collaboration and firms’ R&D effort," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1907-1922.

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    Keywords

    Embodied & disembodied technology acquisition; complementarity; substitutability;
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