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Learning by Doing and the Locus of Innovative Capability in Biotechnology Research

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  • Amit Jain

    (Division of Engineering and Technology Management, and Department of Strategy and Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574)

Abstract

Innovative capability, the knowledge a firm uses to innovate, is an input into and an output of the process of innovation. In this paper, I put forward the notion that innovative capability, similar to experience in production, accumulates by learning by doing and that innovation is characterized by a learning curve. Using patent data from 20,886 scientists working in 611 biotechnology firms in the U.S. and Canadian biotechnology industry from 1970 to 2007, I estimate a learning curve in innovation and determine the loci of innovative capability. Although knowledge stocks in the different loci accumulate over time in day-to-day firm activities, empirical results suggest that the individual is the primary repository of innovative capability and that experience working together in teams has a secondary influence on productivity. Contrary to prior learning curve research, accumulated firm experience has no direct effect on productivity. However, when individuals possess relevant domain knowledge and have experience working together, they benefit from knowledge spillovers within the firm. This suggests that knowledge stocks in the different loci are complementary to one another and that the comingling of these disparate bins of knowledge is an important facet of innovative capability.

Suggested Citation

  • Amit Jain, 2013. "Learning by Doing and the Locus of Innovative Capability in Biotechnology Research," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(6), pages 1683-1700, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:24:y:2013:i:6:p:1683-1700
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.2013.0821
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rui, Huaichuan & Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro & Annique Un, C., 2016. "Learning-by-doing in emerging market multinationals: Integration, trial and error, repetition, and extension," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(5), pages 686-699.
    3. Varshney, Mayank & Jain, Amit, 2023. "Understanding “reverse” knowledge flows following inventor exit in the semiconductor industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    4. Fan, Terence & Schwab, Andreas & Geng, Xuesong, 2021. "Habitual entrepreneurship in digital platform ecosystems: A time-contingent model of learning from prior software project experiences," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(5).
    5. Ivan Lugovoi & Dimitrios A. Andritsos & Claire Senot, 2022. "Novelty and scope of process innovation: The role of related and unrelated manufacturing experience," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(10), pages 3877-3895, October.
    6. Sunkee Lee & Philipp Meyer-Doyle, 2017. "How Performance Incentives Shape Individual Exploration and Exploitation: Evidence from Microdata," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 19-38, February.
    7. Amit Jain & Bruce Kogut, 2014. "Memory and Organizational Evolvability in a Neutral Landscape," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(2), pages 479-493, April.
    8. Amit Jain & Will Mitchell, 2022. "Specialization as a double‐edged sword: The relationship of scientist specialization with R&D productivity and impact following collaborator change," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(5), pages 986-1024, May.
    9. Loon, Mark, 2019. "Knowledge management practice system: Theorising from an international meta-standard," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 432-441.
    10. Christophe Pennetier & Karan Girotra & Jürgen Mihm, 2019. "R&D Spending: Dynamic or Persistent?," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 636-657, July.
    11. Gloria Urrea & Eunae Yoo, 2023. "The role of volunteer experience on performance on online volunteering platforms," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(2), pages 416-433, February.
    12. Varshney, Mayank, 2023. "Learning-by-hiring: How do rival firms learn from focal firm's hiring," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    13. Jain, Amit, 2023. "How knowledge loss and network-structure jointly determine R&D productivity in the biotechnology industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    14. Vuchkovski, Davor & Zalaznik, Maja & Mitręga, Maciej & Pfajfar, Gregor, 2023. "A look at the future of work: The digital transformation of teams from conventional to virtual," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    15. Maximiliano Machado, 2021. "Heterogeneous Innovation Persistence: Evidence From Uruguayan Firms," Documentos de Trabajo (working papers) 21-04, Instituto de Economía - IECON.
    16. C. Gizem Korpeoglu & Ersin Körpeoğlu & Sıdıka Tunç, 2021. "Optimal Duration of Innovation Contests," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 23(3), pages 657-675, May.
    17. Amit Jain, 2016. "Learning by hiring and change to organizational knowledge: Countering obsolescence as organizations age," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(8), pages 1667-1687, August.
    18. Linda Argote & Sunkee Lee & Jisoo Park, 2021. "Organizational Learning Processes and Outcomes: Major Findings and Future Research Directions," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(9), pages 5399-5429, September.
    19. Xiao, Fenglong, 2022. "Non-competes and innovation: Evidence from medical devices," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).

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