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The problem of embeddedness revisited: Collaboration and market types

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  • Andersen, Kristina Vaarst

Abstract

Embeddedness has been touted as a framework for knowledge exchange and innovation, and thus as an important precondition for high-level performance. Embeddedness of economic action in social relations improves access to resources, but over-embeddedness impedes performance. However, until now the association between embeddedness and performance in different markets has been neglected. This paper challenges the predominant view of embeddedness and over-embeddedness as absolute and mutually exclusive conditions. Through regression analyses of novel data from a project-based industry, the paper tests the association between embeddedness and economic performance in different markets, finding a positive association in the domestic market, but a negative association in foreign markets. This divergence in performance is caused in part by selection bias in the access to foreign markets, and in part by accumulation of localized knowledge.

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  • Andersen, Kristina Vaarst, 2013. "The problem of embeddedness revisited: Collaboration and market types," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 139-148.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:42:y:2013:i:1:p:139-148
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2012.05.005
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    4. Oerlemans, Leon & Chan, K.Y. & Knoben, Joris & Vermeulen, P.A.M., 2018. "Structural and geographical conditions for exploitative innovation : Evidence from South African manufacturing firms," Other publications TiSEM 4abcf615-a0d4-49ef-ba25-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    5. Yibo Lyu & Quanshan Liu & Binyuan He & Jingfei Nie, 2017. "Structural embeddedness and innovation diffusion: the moderating role of industrial technology grouping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(2), pages 889-916, May.
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    9. García-Villaverde, Pedro M. & Rodrigo-Alarcón, Job & Parra-Requena, Gloria & Ruiz-Ortega, María José, 2018. "Technological dynamism and entrepreneurial orientation: The heterogeneous effects of social capital," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 51-64.
    10. Fei Zhou & Xue Li & Chunjia Han & Lan Zhang & Brij B. Gupta, 2023. "Unpacking the effect of institutional support on international corporate entrepreneurship in entrepreneurial support systems," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 1101-1130, September.
    11. Ruiz-Ortega, María J. & García-Villaverde, Pedro M. & Parra-Requena, Gloria, 2018. "How structural embeddedness leads to pioneering orientation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 186-198.
    12. Liu, Xiaohui & Gao, Lan & Lu, Jiangyong & Lioliou, Eleni, 2016. "Environmental risks, localization and the overseas subsidiary performance of MNEs from an emerging economy," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 356-368.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Embeddedness; Knowledge transfer; Opportunity allocation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation

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