The temporal effects of relative and firm-level absorptive capacity on interorganizational learning

We examine how determinants of absorptive capacity influence learning in alliances over time. Using longitudinal patent cross-citation data, we find an inverted U-shaped pattern over time that is influenced by firm-level and relational factors. Technological similarity only modestly increases learni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Strategic management journal Vol. 33; no. 10; pp. 1154 - 1173
Main Authors: Schildt, Henri, Keil, Thomas, Maula, Markku
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.10.2012
John Wiley & Sons
Wiley
Wiley Periodicals Inc
Subjects:
Absorption
Absorptive capacity
alliance
Alliances
Business structures
Citations
Corporate strategies
Exploitation
High technology
International alliances
interorganizational learning
Joint ventures
Knowledge
Knowledge management
Learning
Learning rate
Lernende Organisation
Management science
Organizational learning
R&D
Research & development
Research and development
Strategische Allianz
Studies
Technology
Time
USA
ISSN:0143-2095, 1097-0266
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We examine how determinants of absorptive capacity influence learning in alliances over time. Using longitudinal patent cross-citation data, we find an inverted U-shaped pattern over time that is influenced by firm-level and relational factors. Technological similarity only modestly increases learning in the initial stages of a relationship, but moderate levels substantially increase knowledge flows later in the alliance. High technological diversity is related to higher initial learning rates, but the effects diminish over time. Somewhat surprisingly, research and development intensity is negatively related to initial learning rates but has a considerable positive effect later in the relationship. We suggest that initial learning rates in alliances may be constrained by the capacity to absorb knowledge, while later-stage outcomes are constrained by exploitation capacity.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/WNG-04FDV76K-1
ArticleID:SMJ1963
Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation
istex:E3E9B0484ADA154F8F50A7018D90756C5F3B0C31
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 14
ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:0143-2095
1097-0266
DOI:10.1002/smj.1963