In search of complementarity in innovation strategy: Internal R&D and external knowledge acquisition

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Cassiman, B; Veugelers, R
• 署名单位: University of Navarra; IESE Business School; KU Leuven; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK
• 刊物名称: MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0025-1909
• DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.1050.0470
• 发表日期: 2006
• 页码: 68-82
• 关键词: Complementarity; INNOVATION; research and development; technology acquisition

摘要

Empirical research on complementarity between organizational design decisions has traditionally focused on the question of existence of complementarity. In this paper, we take a broader approach to the issue, combining a productivity and an adoption approach, while including a search for contextual variables in the firm's strategy that affects complementarity. Analysis of contextual variables is not only interesting per se, but also improves the productivity test for the existence of complementarity. We use our empirical methodology to analyze complementarity between innovation activities: internal research and development (R&D) and external knowledge acquisition. Our results suggest that internal R&D and external knowledge acquisition are complementary innovation activities, but that the degree of complementarity is sensitive to other elements of the firm's strategic environment. We identify reliance on basic R&D-the importance of universities and research centers as an information source for the innovation process-as an important contextual variable affecting complementarity between internal and external innovation activities.