Title: Technology acquisition through exploration alliance: network positions and technology diversity

Authors: Chun-Hsien Wang; Xiaohong Iris Quan; Shi-Zheng Huang

Addresses: Department of BioBusiness Management, College of Management, National Chiayi University, No. 580. Sinmin Rd., Chiayi City 600, Taiwan ' School of Global Innovation & Leadership, College of Business, San Jose State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-0164, USA ' Institute of Management Sciences, School of Management, Lanzhou University, Science and Technology Building, 816. No. 1001 Stepon Rd., Futian District, Shenzhen, China; Department of Business Management, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan

Abstract: The study further explores how the moderating roles of relative network positions and technology diversity separately and jointly affect inter-firm technology alliances. More specifically, this study examines whether exploration learning in inter-firm collaboration benefits a firm's technology alliances and whether those benefits depend on how such learning fits the firm's network position and technology diversity. Based on a sample of 151 biomedical-based firms, the results show that relative network positions and technology diversity are significantly positively and negatively associated with successful inter-firm technology alliances, respectively. The main findings show that successful inter-firm technology alliances not only depend on exploration learning capability but are also contingent upon relative network positions and technology diversity. The study reveals some important implications for inter-firm technology collaborations.

Keywords: exploration learning capability; technology alliances; technology diversity; relatively centralised positions; biomedical firms; technology acquisition; network positions; inter-firm technology alliances; collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTIP.2016.077242

International Journal of Technology Intelligence and Planning, 2016 Vol.11 No.2, pp.93 - 116

Received: 02 Mar 2015
Accepted: 18 May 2015
Published online: 25 Jun 2016 *

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