Technological performance and alliances over the industry life cycle : evidence from the ASIC industry

Vanhaverbeke, Wim; Belderbos, Rene; Duysters, Geert; Beerkens, Bonnie

doi:10.1111/JPIM.12253

Title

Technological performance and alliances over the industry life cycle : evidence from the ASIC industry

Author

Vanhaverbeke, Wim

Belderbos, Rene

Duysters, Geert

Beerkens, Bonnie

Abstract

Technology development in firms is frequently based on a combination of internal and external technological learning. Consequently, firms need to develop both technological capital (a patent portfolio) and alliance capital (a portfolio of technology alliances). This paper examines the relationship between technological capital, alliance capital, and their joint impact on the technological performance of firms, with an application to the application-specific integrated circuit industry. We find that positive marginal returns to alliance capital are decreasing at higher levels of alliance capital. Technological capital and alliance capital can either augment or reduce each others' influence on innovation performance depending on the stage of the technology life cycle in the industry. A reinforcing relationship related to absorptive capacity requirements and technological uncertainty is present in early stages, while technology leakage and market competition effects render the combination of high levels of technological and alliance capital counterproductive in later stages of the technology life cycle.

Language

English

Source (journal)

The journal of product innovation management. - New York, N.Y., 1984, currens

Publication

New York, N.Y. : 2015

ISSN

0737-6782 [print]

1540-5885 [online]

DOI

10.1111/JPIM.12253

Volume/pages