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In-licensing university technology and firm innovation

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  • Slavova, Kremena

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between university licensing and firm follow-on innovations in the context of therapeutic biotechnology industry. Our theoretical model bridges two research streams in the organizational learning literature—learning-by-licensing and learning-by-failure— to better understand the contingent nature of such relationship. Specifically, it contends that firms that have experienced early-stage innovation failures are better positioned to uncover new knowledge creation opportunities when exposed to the licensed-in university technology. The empirics are based on a panel dataset analysis of a sample of 190 US therapeutic biotechnology firms observed from 2003 to 2011. Our findings provide empirical support to these contentions, suggesting potential interaction effects between the mechanisms of learning-by-licensing and learning-by-failure.

Suggested Citation

  • Slavova, Kremena, 2023. "In-licensing university technology and firm innovation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:125:y:2023:i:c:s016649722300069x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102758
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