Exploration and Exploitation in Technology-based Alliance Networks

Vanhaverbeke, Wim, Gilsing, Victor, Beerkens, Bonnie and Duysters, Geert (2007). Exploration and Exploitation in Technology-based Alliance Networks. UNU-MERIT.

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UNU-MERIT Working Papers

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  • Author Vanhaverbeke, Wim
    Gilsing, Victor
    Beerkens, Bonnie
    Duysters, Geert
    Title Exploration and Exploitation in Technology-based Alliance Networks
    Publication Date 2007
    Publisher UNU-MERIT
    Abstract Although the literature converges regarding the reasons why and how networks of technology alliances are formed, there is still lack of agreement on what constitutes an optimal network structure, once it has been formed. The aim of this paper is to fill this void and to determine what constitutes an optimal network structure for exploration and exploitation within the context of technological innovation. We differentiate among a firm's direct ties, indirect ties and degree of redundancy and analyze their role in the pharmaceutical, chemical and automotive industry. Regarding the role of direct ties, in combination with indirect ties, we find two alternative alliance network structures that are effective for both exploitation and exploration. We also find that redundancy in a firm's alliance network has a positive effect on exploitation. This is not the case for exploration, however, which seems to reveal a new insight into the role of redundancy when firms explore new technological fields. A final point is that our findings remain largely invariant across the three industries, enhancing the generalisability of our results.
    Keyword Networks
    Strategic alliances
    Innovation
    Learning
    JEL 032
    031
    Copyright Holder UNU-MERIT
    Copyright Year 2007
    ISSN 1871-9872
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    Created: Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 15:47:56 JST