scholarly journals Reviewing the Field of External Knowledge Search for Innovation: Theoretical Underpinnings and Future (Re‐)search Directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-430
Author(s):  
Daniel Ehls ◽  
Sara Polier ◽  
Cornelius Herstatt
Keyword(s):  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
Search Directions

Innovation type and external knowledge search strategies in KIBS: evidence from Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Doloreux ◽  
Ekaterina Turkina ◽  
Ari Van Assche
Keyword(s):  
Search Strategies ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
Innovation Type

External Knowledge Search Strategy as an Essential Element of a Knowledge Management Strategy

2011 ◽  
pp. 70-89
Author(s):  
Fergal McGrath ◽  
Rebecca Purcell
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Knowledge Management Strategy ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
The Many

This chapter introduces external knowledge search strategy as a central element of an organizations overall knowledge management strategy. The argument cites how knowledge management has developed around a myopic internal focus and has thus far failed to take full account of the many sources of knowledge external to the organization. The chapter offers external knowledge search strategy as a means of integrating this external focus into knowledge management understanding, by providing a conceptual framework for organizations involved in the external knowledge management activity of external knowledge search. The framework identifies 10 search paths organizations may follow into the search space, four of which relate exclusively to external knowledge search. The authors hope that establishing an external element within knowledge management strategy will inform knowledge management’s recognition of the value of the extended enterprise.

External knowledge search paths in open innovation processes of small and medium enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 524-550
Author(s):  
Preecha Chaochotechuang ◽  
Farhad Daneshgar ◽  
Stefania Mariano
Keyword(s):  
Open Innovation ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Search Heuristics ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Processes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge by exploring how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) search for external knowledge in their open innovation processes, and how the search can be advanced. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory research employs a qualitative multiple case study design. A literature review of open innovation in SMEs and external knowledge search is used to build the premises of this study. Semi-structured interviews with eight SMEs are employed to collect subsequent exploratory empirical data. Findings This exploratory study revealed that SMEs adopted a combination of cognitive and experiential search heuristics where cognitive search was practiced during the innovation research process when searching for external knowledge, whilst experiential search was practiced during the innovation development process. Concerning the search space, this study found that SMEs mainly explored local knowledge, and occasionally pursued distant knowledge when confronted with complex problems. The reason for the above behavior was explained to be related to the reduction of costs and risks associated with innovation activities. Originality/value External knowledge plays a pivotal role in open innovation. Although extant studies have shed some light on how large firms search for external knowledge, however, it is not clear how SMEs search for external knowledge. Moreover, this study focuses on learning about both the search space and the search heuristics at both the research and the development stages of the innovation process.

External Knowledge Search Strategies in China's Technology Ventures: The Role of Managerial Interpretations and Ties

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjiang Liu ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
Wiboon Kittilaksanawong
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Managerial Ties ◽  
Threat Rigidity ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
Technology Ventures

AbstractDrawing on the threat-rigidity hypothesis, we examine how managerial opportunity and threat interpretations of external environments affect a technology venture's choice of external knowledge search strategies in an emerging market. Results from a sample of 141 technology ventures in China reveal that opportunity interpretation directly and positively influences both the breadth and depth of external search, whereas threat interpretation directly and negatively influences only external search depth. Furthermore, managerial ties strengthen the positive relationship between opportunity interpretation and external search breadth but weaken the positive relationship on external search depth. Managerial ties weaken the negative relationship between threat interpretation and external search breadth but strengthen the negative relationship on external search depth. Implications for both research and practice are offered.

Depth and breadth of external knowledge search and performance: The mediating role of absorptive capacity

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 86-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Luis Ferreras-Méndez ◽  
Sue Newell ◽  
Anabel Fernández-Mesa ◽  
Joaquín Alegre
Keyword(s):  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
And Performance

scholarly journals External knowledge search for innovation: the role of firms’ innovation strategy and industry context

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes Segarra-Ciprés ◽  
Juan Carlos Bou-Llusar
Keyword(s):  
Current Approach ◽  
Innovation Performance ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Search ◽  
Contingent Approach ◽  
High Level ◽  
Internal And External Factors

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the extent to which the influence of external knowledge search on innovation performance is contingent on both a firm’s innovation strategy and the industry context in which it operates. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a contingent approach that centers analysis on the influence of situational factors, either exogenous or endogenous to the organization, as determinants of the external knowledge search in promoting the firm’s innovation performance. The empirical study is based on a large sample of 18,955 firms operating in 29 industries that belong to 13 European countries. Findings This analysis reveals that a broad knowledge search is more effective for firms that innovate in new goods, while a deeper knowledge search is more effective for firms that innovate in new services. The results of this study also indicate that external knowledge search varies across industries, with search depth being used more in industries in which the knowledge development process is cumulative and appropriable, while the external breadth search is preferred in industries with a high level of technological opportunity. Originality/value The current approach implies recognizing that the knowledge search strategies may not always be effective, and that firms should align the search strategy to both internal and external factors. Analyzing the influence of these factors can help managers to better choose the type of knowledge search (e.g. intensive or extensive search) that best aligns with the firm’s innovation objectives.

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