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Divisive Faultlines and Knowledge Search in Technological Innovation Network: An Empirical Study of Global Biopharmaceutical Firms

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  • Long Cheng

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Meng Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Xuming Lou

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Zifeng Chen

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Yang Yang

    (School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China)

Abstract

Divisive faultlines caused by the uneven distribution of relationship strength play an essential role in knowledge search in the technological innovation network, which serves as an important requirement for the technological innovation network’s macro level to expand to the meso-subgroup level and promote its healthy development. Given that the biopharmaceutical industry, as a high-tech industry, plays a vital role in promoting healthy development, this paper uses the joint patent applications of global biopharmaceutical firms from 2003 to 2018 as a sample to construct a technological innovation network, to explore the relationship between divisive faultlines and knowledge search in the technological innovation network. We also study the moderating effect of structural holes in this relationship. The empirical results show that divisive faultlines significantly affect the depth of knowledge search in the technological innovation network. Divisive faultlines have an inverted U-shaped effect on the breadth of knowledge search in the technological innovation network. Structural holes positively moderate the relationship between divisive faultlines and depth of knowledge search but negatively moderate the inverted U-shaped relationship between divisive faultlines and breadth of knowledge search. This research reveals the relationship between divisive faultlines and the knowledge search in the technological innovation network. The research results provide a theoretical basis and management enlightenment to improve biopharmaceutical firms’ knowledge search ability and promote healthy and sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Long Cheng & Meng Wang & Xuming Lou & Zifeng Chen & Yang Yang, 2021. "Divisive Faultlines and Knowledge Search in Technological Innovation Network: An Empirical Study of Global Biopharmaceutical Firms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5614-:d:561299
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chengwei Ge & Wendong Lv & Junli Wang, 2023. "The Impact of Digital Technology Innovation Network Embedding on Firms’ Innovation Performance: The Role of Knowledge Acquisition and Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.

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