External Knowledge and Information Technology: Implications for Process Innovation Performance
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Date
2017-03Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 164 times in
Web of Science
Cited 202 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics
Abstract
Prior research highlights the vital role of information technology (IT) for innovation in firms. In this paper, we draw on the knowledge-based view of the firm to investigate how search in external knowledge sources and information technology for knowledge absorption jointly influence process innovation performance. Our model is tested on a nine-year panel (2003–2011) of Swiss firms from a wide range of manufacturing industries. Using instrumental variables, and disaggregating by type of IT, we find that data access systems and network connectivity hold very different potential for the effective absorption of external knowledge, and the subsequent realized economic gains from process innovation. Against the backdrop of today’s digital transformation, our findings demonstrate how firms should coordinate strategies for sourcing external knowledge with specific IT investments in order to improve their innovation performance. Show more
Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
MIS QuarterlyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
MISRCSubject
Business value of IT; Digitization; Industry 4.0; Innovation strategy; Knowledge-based view of the firm; Absorptive capacity; Open innovation; External search; Process innovation; Firm performanceOrganisational unit
03719 - von Krogh, Georg / von Krogh, Georg
06333 - KOF FB Innovationsökonomik / KOF Innovation Economics
02525 - KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle / KOF Swiss Economic Institute
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Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 164 times in
Web of Science
Cited 202 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics