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Absorptive capacity and autonomous R&D climate roles in firm innovation

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  • Huang, Kuo-Feng
  • Lin, Ku-Ho
  • Wu, Lei-Yu
  • Yu, Pang-Hsiang

Abstract

Absorptive capacity is frequently an outcome of a firm’s cumulatively path-dependent R&D investments. However, the query how absorptive capacity transforms R&D investment into firm innovation, in the context of autonomous R&D climate remains unclear. Using 165 firms in the Taiwan’s information and communication technology industry, the results indicate that absorptive capacity partially mediates the relationship between R&D investment and firm innovation. Absorptive capacity accounts for 36% effects of R&D investment on firm innovation. The result also shows a negative moderating effect of R&D autonomy on the relationship between absorptive capacity and firm innovation.

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  • Huang, Kuo-Feng & Lin, Ku-Ho & Wu, Lei-Yu & Yu, Pang-Hsiang, 2015. "Absorptive capacity and autonomous R&D climate roles in firm innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 87-94.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:68:y:2015:i:1:p:87-94
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.05.002
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    11. Martínez-Sánchez, Angel & Vicente-Oliva, Silvia & Pérez-Pérez, Manuela, 2020. "The relationship between R&D, the absorptive capacity of knowledge, human resource flexibility and innovation: Mediator effects on industrial firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 431-440.
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    16. Sharma, Abhijit & Sousa, Cristina & Woodward, Richard, 2022. "Determinants of innovation outcomes: The role of institutional quality," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
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    19. Xiaotian Yang, 2022. "Coopetition for innovation in R&D consortia: Moderating roles of size disparity and formal interaction," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 79-102, March.
    20. Kumar Verma Bhupendra & Shirish Sangle, 2017. "What Drives Successful Implementation of Product Stewardship Strategy? The Role of Absorptive Capability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(3), pages 186-198, May.
    21. Katarína Stachová & Ján Papula & Zdenko Stacho & Lucia Kohnová, 2019. "External Partnerships in Employee Education and Development as the Key to Facing Industry 4.0 Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, January.
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    23. Zhou, Kuo & Luo, Haotian & Ye, Diyu & Tao, Yunqing, 2022. "The power of anti-corruption in environmental innovation: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
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    25. Garcia Martinez, Marian & Zouaghi, Ferdaous & Sanchez Garcia, Mercedes, 2017. "Capturing value from alliance portfolio diversity: The mediating role of R&D human capital in high and low tech industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 55-67.

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