On the duality of partner type diversity on network stability: the mediating role of knowledge recombination in R&D network
Journal of Knowledge Management
ISSN: 1367-3270
Article publication date: 27 November 2023
Issue publication date: 16 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Previous research has analyzed the consequence of network stability; however, little is known about how partner type diversity influence network stability in R&D network. Based on knowledge-based view and social network theory, the purpose of this paper is to unravel the internal mechanisms between partner type diversity and network stability through the mediating role of knowledge recombination in R&D network.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors collected an unbalanced panel patent data set from information communication technology industry for the period 1994–2016. Then, the authors tested the different dimensions of partner type variety and its relevance in the R&D network and the mediating role of knowledge recombination through adopting the multiple linear regression.
Findings
Results indicate an inverted U-shaped relationship between partner type diversity (variety and relevance) and network stability, whereas knowledge recombination partially mediate these relationships.
Originality/value
From the perspective of R&D networks, this paper explores that there are the under-researched phenomena the antecedent of network stability through nodal attributes (i.e. partner type variety and partner type relevance). Moreover, this paper empirically examined the mediating role of knowledge recombination in the partner type diversity–network stability relationships. The novel perspective allows focal firm to recognize importance of nodal attributes, which are critical to fully excavate the potential capabilities of cooperating partners in R&D network.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71871182,72101274), Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2023JCQN0787), Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2022JJ40646) and Social Science Foundation of Hunan Province (20YBQ104), General Program of Humanities and Social Sciences Research of Ministry of Education of China (22YJC630134), Innovation Foundation for Doctor Dissertation of Northwestern Polytechnical University (CX2021026).
Citation
Guo, M., Yang, N., Wang, J., Liu, H. and Sayed Muhammad, F.S. (2024), "On the duality of partner type diversity on network stability: the mediating role of knowledge recombination in R&D network", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 1204-1227. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-01-2023-0072
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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