Abstract
This paper deals with the open innovation mode in the environmental realm and investigates the effects
that knowledge sourcing has on the environmental innovations (EIs) of firms. Using the Community Innovation
Survey (CIS) 2006–2008, we refer to the firm’s probability of both introducing an EI and extending
the number of EI-typologies adopted. We estimate the impact of the ‘depth’ and ‘breadth’ of knowledge
sourcing. In addition, we test for the moderating role of the firm’s absorptive capacity. Knowledge
sourcing has a positive impact on both types of EI-performance. However, a broad sourcing strategy
reveals a threshold above which the propensity to introduce an EI diminishes. Cognitive constraints in
processing knowledge inputs that are too diverse may explain this result. Absorptive capacity generally
helps firms to turn broadly sourced external knowledge into EI. However, internal innovation capabilities
and knowledge socialization mechanisms seem to diminish the EI impact of knowledge sourced
through deep external interactions. The possibility of mismatches between the management of internal
and external knowledge, and of problems in distributing the decision-makers’ attention between the
two, may explain this result.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 1080-1093 |
Numero di pagine | 14 |
Rivista | Research Policy |
Volume | 44 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2015 |
Pubblicato esternamente | Sì |
Keywords
- Environmental Innovation
- open innovation