Knowledge spillovers and innovation performance of the originator: The moderating effect of technological alliances

Abstract

Under what conditions do originators of innovation benefit from knowledge spillover by learning from knowledge recipients, and when do they not? This study examines how originator firms’ learning from recipients differs depending on their spillover characteristics. These characteristics were captured using the Spillover Knowledge Pool (SKP). It also examines how technological alliances moderate the relationship between SKP characteristics and originator follow-on innovations. An analysis of 62 firms over 10 years confirms that while the technological diversity of the SKP has a positive impact on the originator's innovation, the technological overlap of the SKP relative to the originator's knowledge has a negative impact. Furthermore, technological alliances enhance the positive effect of technological diversity while exacerbating the adverse effects of technological overlap. This study contributes to the literature on knowledge spillover, particularly within the knowledge-based view of firms, by providing a balanced perspective that addresses the dual impact of knowledge spillover on originator firms. Furthermore, this research highlights the contingent effects of knowledge spillover by examining the interplay between spillover phenomena and strategic factors, specifically technological alliances. The findings have concrete managerial and policy implications conducive to enhancing firms’ innovation performance in the context of knowledge spillover.

Keywords

• O32
• O33
• O34
• O36