Unlocking solution provision competence in knowledge-intensive business service firms

Business services markets are very competitive and a key challenge for knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) firms is delivering effective solutions for business customers. As solution providers, KIBS firms need to invest competencies that supports their capacity to solve customers' problems. We examine how KIBS firms address this challenge by investigating how solution-provision competence (SPC), as a firm-level competence, contributes to the delivery of effective solutions, and how and when KIBS firms leverage SPC to transform knowledge gained from various search paths into effective solutions for customers. The results show that distal search enriches knowledge diversity, which helps foster solution-provision competence but only up to a point, after which the relationship turns negative, with distal search showing a diminishing effect on solution-provision competence. In addressing the diminishing returns of distal search to solution-provision competence, we show that higher levels of proximal search and strategic flexibility reverse the diminishing effect of high levels of distal search on solution-provision competence; however, employee collaboration did not help counter the diminishing returns (e.g., marginal benefits). Finally, we demonstrate that solution-provision competence helps KIBS firms offer effective solutions tailored to business customers' specific needs.     

知识转移对R&D联盟企业创新能力作用路径研究

本文对R&D联盟企业知识转移的路径进行了研究,深入的分析了知识转移的影响因素,构建了一个包含多个影响因素的理论模型。该模型引入知识转移效果和合作机制作为中介变量,深入剖析知识转移因素对企业创新能力的影响。提出相应假设,运用结构方程模型对研究假设大样本数据进行路径验证。得出结论：知识转移效果和合作机制作为中介变量对企业创新能力有显著的正向影响。R&D联盟企业通过增强知识接收方的吸收能力和知识扩散方的传播能力来达到提高知识转移的效果,构建完善的联盟交易机制能够有效的促进联盟的知识转移的效率和提升企业创新能力。     

Are knowledge intensive business services really co-produced? Overcoming lack of customer participation in KIBS

Customer participation is considered necessary for the delivery of effective Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS). However, for different reasons, KIBS customers are not always able to participate actively during the delivery process and providers have to compensate for this in order to deliver effective solutions. We conducted case-based research to understand how KIBS providers do this. The three cases studied suggest that, besides customer education, providers use preventive and problem-management strategies to counterbalance limited customer participation. These three strategies are used in a complementary way and are enabled by the expertise of KIBS providers. They also contribute to the delivery of effective KIBS. The research outcomes refine the existing knowledge of customer participation in KIBS, which has so far focused mainly on the causes and consequences of it and overlooked other related issues. Our results also suggest that practitioners could use the level of customers' ability and willingness to participate as segmentation criteria and then define their strategies and allocate their resources accordingly.     

知识密集型服务业对中国制造业创新的影响——基于高技术制造业的实证分析

知识密集型服务业（KIBS）通过创造和转移知识推动创新。本文利用2005～2013年的省际面板数据,定量分析研究KIBS对高技术制造业创新影响,得出结论：整体上KIBS发展有助于高技术制造业创新;此外,KIBS发展对高技术制造业创新影响存在行业间和地区间差异,相比于西部的消极影响,中、东部的KIBS促进高技术制造业创新。因此提出政策建议：积极引导西部地区劳动密集型服务业的转型,加速KIBS的发展;引进外商投资,培养高素质KIBS人才,为中国制造业提供创新动力。     

知识距离、吸收能力对产学研合作绩效的影响研究

本文基于产学研合作的研究视角,实证研究产学研合作背景下知识距离、吸收能力与合作绩效之间的关系。研究结果显示,产学研合作背景下知识深度距离对潜在吸收能力有负向影响作用,知识宽度距离对潜在吸收能力有正向影响作用,潜在吸收能力有利于实际吸收能力的提升,组织学习在吸收能力的两个维度间起调节作用,实际吸收能力的提升最终有利于合作绩效的提高。     

Product–service innovation and performance: the role of collaborative partnerships and R&D intensity

Treating the intersection of the strategic partnerships, R&D intensity and servitisation literatures, this study explores empirically whether external collaborative service development and provision and industrial R&D intensity help to unpack the complex relation between product–service innovation (servitisation) and performance. We argue that manufacturing firms implementing services benefit from strategic partnerships with Knowledge‐Intensive Business Service (KIBS) firms. KIBS partnering provides opportunities for downsizing, externalising risks and sharing knowledge. Additionally, manufacturers in R&D‐intensive industries are more likely to benefit from implementing service provision than firms in other sectors because of industry dynamics and reduced customer uncertainty. The study surveys executives in 370 large manufacturers worldwide. Results reinforce the importance of concentric strategic partnerships to successful product–service innovation in high R&D industries.     

The effects of knowledge attribute, alliance characteristics, and absorptive capacity on knowledge transfer performance

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effects of knowledge attribute, alliance characteristics, and firm's absorptive capacity on the performance of knowledge transfer. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 137 alliance cases. The findings suggest that knowledge transfer performance is positively affected by the explicitness of knowledge and firm's absorptive capacity; that equity-based alliance will transfer tacit knowledge more effectively while contract-base alliance is more effective for the transfer of explicit knowledge; and that trust and adjustment have positive effects while conflict possesses a curvilinear effect on knowledge transfer performance.     

When purchasing professional services supports innovation

This paper explores the potential contribution that purchasing KIBS may have on innovation at the buying firm. It integrates the results of a systematic literature review on purchasing KIBS with literatures respectively on purchasing and KIBS contribution to innovation. Based on the outcomes of an extensive study of the literature, a theoretical framework is proposed in order to understand what could boost innovation outcomes of purchasing KIBS, especially for the buying firms. The framework suggests observing the KIBS triad configuration, i.e. the relationship between KIBS providers, the purchasing function and the user area within the buying firm, and its contingencies and characteristics. Overall, the paper suggests that the way KIBS are purchased can influence their effect on the innovation they generate, offers insights on aspects that need to be considered to increase potential innovation outcomes, and draws attention to the strategic role that purchasing can play in this context. In this way, it moves beyond the debate on purchasing involvement in NPD (new product development) and shows another domain (KIBS services) in which purchasing can contribute to the development of innovation.     

A multilevel perspective on knowledge transfer: evidence from the Chinese automotive industry

We adopt a multilevel perspective to study the transfer of collective and individual knowledge. By making a clear theoretical distinction between collective and individual attributes in concepts such as knowledge, teaching approach, and absorptive capacity, this study extends the knowledge transfer literature and provides fresh insights into the ways in which collective and individual knowledge are transferred. Based on a survey of the capability transfer activities of 161 engineering units of multinationals in the Chinese automotive industry, we empirically validate the distinction between individual and collective teaching activities and absorptive capacity. More importantly, we find that the largely underexplored collective‐level mechanisms, such as collective teaching and collective absorptive capacity, are more effective in transferring both collective knowledge and individual knowledge in comparison to their individual‐based counterparts. Our findings also have important implications for management of multinationals and international joint ventures, particularly in emerging economies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

跨国零售企业母子公司知识转移机制——以沃尔玛为例

零售企业在跨国扩张过程中必然伴随母国知识的转移活动,而由于国情不同,在母公司发展起来的优势知识到了海外市场可能无法适应,知识的内隐程度和地区嵌入程度将影响零售知识的跨国转移效果。本文以沃尔玛为对象,通过研究其在华经营活动,从知识特性的角度分析了母子公司间的知识转移机制。研究发现:知识内隐程度的高低可以影响转移的媒介,地区嵌入程度的高低能够影响知识转移的深度及本土化程度。内隐程度高的知识倾向以人员作为转移媒介,通过人员媒介可以使隐性知识显性化,并逐渐固化成标准化的物件范式;内隐程度低的知识则倾向以物件作为转移媒介。地区嵌入程度高的知识,母公司仅转移知识架构,在华子公司自行建构知识具体内容,以本土化为主;地区嵌入程度低的知识,母公司同时转移知识架构和具体内容,以标准化为主;对那些地区嵌入程度正在降低的知识,可以在初步本土化探索的同时,实施收缩等待战略,待时机成熟再实施与母国相同的标准化转移策略。     

我国知识密集型服务业国际竞争力研究

近年来我国知识密集型服务业的蓬勃发展使人们开始关注其在国际贸易中的竞争力。文章采用RNX和RCA指数定量考察我国知识密集型服务业历年来的国际竞争力变动趋势、知识密集型服务业各个行业的国际竞争力水平,以及与世界其他国家的国际对比情况。     

知识型服务企业隐性知识管理有效性评价

企业隐性知识的高效管理是企业获得持续竞争优势的关键.企业隐性知识管理是否有效,需要一个科学的评估体系对其进行评估.本文针对知识型服务企业依赖专业知识的知识属性,以及其隐性知识本质,构建了评价指标体系,并利用模糊综合评价方法对隐性知识管理的有效性进行了评价,为知识型服务企业了解隐性知识管理的效果,发现不足,提高本企业的知识管理能力,改进知识管理工作,并对于正确制定企业知识创新政策和战略目标等方面都具有重要的意义.     

Knowledge Management, Research Spinoffs and Commercialization of R&D in Australia

This paper proposes that transfer of tacit knowledge is a factor that should be considered by research organizations when they consider technology transfer. It uses a study of spinoffs arising from research of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization (CSIRO) to discuss the existing theories of establishment rationale, selection process and support mechanisms which are provided to spinoff firms. It suggests that there are three components to technology transfer and that one of these, the transfer of tacit knowledge, helps to increase survival of these firms. It presents a model which takes account of both institutional and company factors in spinoff establishment.     

Co-creating integrated solutions within business networks: The KAM team as knowledge integrator

This study derives from a need that is both practical and theoretical: the need to increase knowledge of how KAM teams might ensure more successful value co-creation with their business customers in the service sector. The KAM teams in this study are formed of members originating from several supplier companies that integrate and apply resources with their customers in a business network. In the co-creation of integrated solutions within such business networks, KAM teams – drawing on organizational learning theory and knowledge management – are considered as knowledge integrators. The purpose of this study is to analyze the KAM teams' absorptive capacity — that is, how knowledge is acquired, assimilated, and applied in the co-creation of integrated solutions. The study employs a qualitative case study approach, based on 30 in-depth interviews in nine supplier companies operating in advertising, marketing and consulting, and in three key customer companies. The study contributes to the KAM literature by providing new conceptual understanding and empirical insight in respect of networked co-creation of integrated solutions and the influence of the KIBS context on the solutions process.     

Those Who Know,Do. Those Who Understand,Teach. Disseminative Capability and Knowledge Transfer in the Automotive Industry

Innovations in the automotive industry are increasingly building on contributions from different technological fields. Correspondingly, firms in this industry more than ever tend to form research and development (R&D) alliances that aim at innovating new products through integrating separate fields and transferring knowledge. While, in symmetrical R&D alliances, each partner intends to ultimately maintain their distinctive and specialized knowledge base, overlapping knowledge facilitates cooperation and ultimately alliance success. Thus, the capability for knowledge transfer between partners is crucial in such R&D alliances. The literature provides ample evidence that such knowledge transfer is more likely to succeed if the recipient firm has absorptive capability. However, whereas the characteristics of the knowledge transfer process and the recipient firm are well understood, limited attention has so far been given to the issue of the knowledge source firm's ability to transfer knowledge to R&D alliance partners. This study focuses on the impact of source firm capability on successful knowledge transfer in R&D alliances. The study develops a theoretical framework of disseminative capability consisting of five dimensions and tests it on a sample of 59 projects in R&D alliances in the automotive industry. To ensure content validity and avoid common source bias, data were collected from both alliance partners. To test the hypotheses, multiple regression analyses were performed. The results reveal that the source firm's disseminative capability including the attainment of expert knowledge, assessing the recipient firm's knowledge base, and encoding knowledge are positively related to knowledge transfer success, while, surprisingly, detaching knowledge and support of knowledge application in the recipient firm are negatively related. Intentionally or unintentionally, disseminating knowledge across firm boundaries is widely perceived as detrimental to a firm's competitive advantage. Accordingly, the literature tends to downplay disseminative capability as an important means of exploiting external knowledge in collaborative settings. By demonstrating potential benefits for the source firm to transfer knowledge to the allying R&D partner firm, this paper reinvigorates the collaborative dimension in knowledge transfer. Further, the paper is the first of this kind to theoretically explain and empirically show that dimensions of disseminative capability of collaborators in R&D alliances are important for knowledge transfer, whereas disseminative capability is the complementary inverse of an organization's absorptive capacity.     

Stimulating 'hot technologies': interorganizational networks in Dutch ceramic research

The role of interorganizational R&D networks between firms and universities in knowledge transfer of advanced technologies is analyzed. The starting assumption (coinciding with reasons of government bodies to support technological cooperation) is that a national knowledge and technology system exists. From this assumption a number of questions that exist about knowledge and technology transfer can be discussed. Notably whether the knowledge push model of technological innovation is valid. This is done through the analysis of the differences in the pattern of external contacts that exists between the scientific, industrial and policy organizations.
Empirical results of a case study of the stimulation of advanced ceramic technology by the Dutch government form the basis. Advanced ceramics is considered to be an emergent technology within the larger framework of generic technologies. However, the Dutch university and industry structure in this area is weak which raises a number of important questions about the possibility to built a technological infrastructure through government support. The paper concentrates on the role of resource and information flows, which characterize the position of specific organizations in the R&D network. The three main positions in this case are occupied by government bodies, various firms and the university and government laboratories.
Two conclusions on knowledge transfer in university-industry cooperation may be drawn. (a) Institutional (government and university) and industrial research networks are different in character and in fact they consist of different network elements. (b) Government policies, in this case, affect the outlook of scientists but not of firms.     

The social underpinnings of absorptive capacity: The moderating effects of structural holes on innovation generation based on external knowledge

Building on absorptive capacity and social network research, in this paper I investigate how individuals inside the organization use external knowledge to generate innovations. Through original sociometric data collected from 276 scientists, researchers, and engineers from the Research and Development division of a large multinational high‐tech company, I show that the effects of external knowledge on individuals' innovativeness are contingent upon individuals' position in the internal social structure. In particular, results indicate that the positive effects of external knowledge on innovation generation become more positive when individuals sourcing external knowledge span structural holes in the internal knowledge‐sharing network. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of regulatory focus and trustworthiness in knowledge transfer and leakage in alliances

This study investigates the overlooked phenomenon of the role of heterogeneous individuals in understanding knowledge transfer between partners in strategic alliances. We advance the current understanding about the role of boundary spanners in knowledge transfer between partner firms by proposing that the regulatory focus of boundary spanners is a key antecedent of promoting tacit knowledge transfer and preventing knowledge leakage in alliances. Furthermore, we investigate how the perception of partner trustworthiness moderates the role of regulatory focus. Our findings, based on a survey of 142 firms indicate that boundary spanners’ promotion focus and perceived partner trustworthiness have direct positive effects on tacit knowledge transfer. The interaction of prevention focus and trustworthiness has a positive effect on transfer of tacit knowledge and a negative effect on knowledge leakage.     

Soaking It Up: Absorptive Capacity in Interorganizational New Product Development Teams

Prior research has acknowledged the importance of an organization's absorptive capacity—the ability to acquire new knowledge and information, assimilate, transform, and exploit it—for innovation purposes. Because innovations are usually developed by project teams, this suggests that absorptive capacity, as a construct, may also be usefully applied at the team level. Consequently, this study developed a measure for team‐level absorptive capacity, investigated the potential influencing factors, and examined its relationship to team effectiveness in terms of product innovativeness in an interorganizational context. Specifically, building on the theory of homophily and information and decision‐making theories, three factors (social‐category similarity, work‐style similarity, and knowledge complementarity between the recipient and the partner organization teams) were identified as likely antecedents of team absorptive capacity. The hypotheses were tested on data from 98 interorganizational new product development teams and included responses from team members, team leaders, and team‐external managers. With regard to the antecedents of team absorptive capacity in interorganizational settings, the results showed a significant positive association with partners' work‐style similarity and an inverted U‐shaped relationship with partners' knowledge complementarity. Social‐category similarity was not significantly associated with team absorptive capacity. We also examined whether team absorptive capacity was related to interorganizational team effectiveness and found a significant positive relationship between team absorptive capacity and product innovativeness. The study demonstrates that absorptive is indeed related to team effectiveness outcomes in an interorganizational context, which underlines the importance of team‐level absorptive capacity for product innovation management and suggests paying more attention to the lower levels of absorptive capacity.