Tapping into Science: University Research Alliances, Technological Breadth, and New Product Development

• In Event: Innovative Academic Infrastructures: Digitalization, Collaboration, and Experimentation - II

Abstract

This paper examines how and under which conditions tapping into university science can boost firm innovative performance. Using insights from organizational learning theory, our theoretical model recognizes that engaging in research alliances with universities induces learning opportunities for firms. We investigate specific contingencies that likely reinforce or weaken such learning effects. We note that firms are likely to reap greater innovation related benefits from reaching out to university science when they pursue more exploratory rather than exploitative innovations. We further contend that such innovation gains are stronger for firms with broader technological expertise. Our empirical analysis is based on a panel dataset of 220 US therapeutic biotechnology firms over the period between 2003-2010. Our results from estimating negative binomial models provide empirical support to these contentions.

Authors

• Kremena Slavova, Collegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros, Madrid

• Simcha Jong, Leiden University