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How Can Knowledge Structuration Serve Strategic Goals? A Theory For Technology Firms

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  • Mohammad Saleh Farazi

    (Department of Business Organization and Marketing, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Ana Pérez-Luño

    (Department of Business Organization and Marketing, Universidad Pablo de Olavide)

  • Shanthi Gopalakrishnan

    (School of Management, New Jersey Institute of Technology)

Abstract

This study focuses on knowledge structuration and its strategic implications for new research-intensive firms. These firms mainly pursue growth strategies by leveraging their knowledge-based resources and capabilities in inter-organizational relationships, while they are typically constrained on other resources. Therefore, they need to strategically develop and structure their knowledge resources in a way that guarantees their survival and serves their future goals best. Taking biotechnology firms as our research setting, we first identify groups of firms with similar generic knowledge structuration, i.e. depth and breadth of knowledge possessed by the firm. Then, drawing from organizational learning theory and knowledge-based view, we discuss how strategically structuring the technological knowledge of the firm can affect the benefits it gains from collaborating with other organizations. We provide research propositions for different strategic groups and theoretically link knowledge structuration to both exploration and exploitation alliances.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammad Saleh Farazi & Ana Pérez-Luño & Shanthi Gopalakrishnan, 2016. "How Can Knowledge Structuration Serve Strategic Goals? A Theory For Technology Firms," Working Papers 16.01, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Business Organization and Marketing (former Department of Business Administration), revised Jun 2016.
    • Handle: RePEc:pab:wpboam:16.01
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    Keywords

    Knowledge strategy; structuration; depth; breadth; alliance; biotechnology;
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