Title: Relational determinants of ambidextrous knowledge sharing in innovation networks of businesses

Authors: Thomas Clauss; Patrick Spieth; Tobias Kesting

Addresses: School of Business and Economics, Philipps-University Marburg, Universitätsstraße 25 A, D-35032 Marburg, Germany ' School of Economics and Management, University of Kassel, Kleine Rosenstr. 3, D-34109 Kassel, Germany ' Science-to-Business Marketing Research Centre, Münster University of Applied Sciences, Johann-Krane-Weg 27, D-48149 Münster, Germany

Abstract: Collaboration activities in innovation networks enable actors to gain access to and share specialised knowledge. However, successful knowledge sharing requires specific mechanisms and interventions from managers. To study both the antecedents and effects of sharing ambidextrous knowledge in innovation networks, we conducted a survey among 100 mechanical engineering businesses engaged in such networks. Our results show that interaction supports ambidextrous knowledge sharing (i.e. a combination of exploitative and explorative knowledge sharing), whereas we merely find a significant effect of explorative knowledge sharing on joint innovation generation. In addition, the analysis reveals that interactions mediate the indirect effect of relational norms on exploitative and explorative knowledge sharing.

Keywords: knowledge sharing; ambidextrous knowledge sharing; exploitative knowledge sharing; explorative knowledge sharing; interaction; relational norms; joint innovation generation; innovation networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2018.095314

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2018 Vol.10 No.6, pp.597 - 618

Received: 24 May 2016
Accepted: 28 Sep 2016
Published online: 03 Oct 2018 *

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