Influence mechanism and boundary of basic research on the innovation performance of enterprises

doi:10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2025.01.012

Abstract

Abstract: Basic research is forward-looking and strategic, which is not only a source of original innovation, but also faces high risk and uncertainty, and it has been controversial whether enterprises can improve their product innovation performance by conducting basic research. Using a sample of Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturing enterprises from 2007-2022, this paper developed a panel negative binomial model to test the relationship between pure and application-oriented basic research and product innovation performance of enterprises, as well as the moderating effects of absorptive capacity and regional intellectual property protection (IPP). The findings indicated that (1) there is a U-shaped relationship between pure basic research and firm product innovation performance, and applicationoriented basic research has a significant positive impact on firm product innovation performance. (2) The weaker the enterprises′ absorptive capacity, the flatter the shape of the U-curve between pure basic research and firm product innovation performance, and the weaker the effect of application-oriented basic research on firm product innovation performance. (3) The higher the intensity of regional IPP, the steeper the shape of the U-curve between pure basic research and firm product innovation performance, and the stronger the effect of application-oriented basic research on firm product innovation performance. The results of the study has revealed the impact and boundary conditions of different types of basic research on firm product innovation performance, which have implications for enterprises to improve their product innovation performance.

Key words: pure basic research, application-oriented basic research, product innovation performance, absorptive capacity, regional intellectual property protection

CLC Number:

Zhang Xiaofei, Sun Yutao, Wang Qian. Influence mechanism and boundary of basic research on the innovation performance of enterprises[J]. Science Research Management, 2025, 46(1): 114-122.

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Influence mechanism and boundary of basic research on the innovation performance of enterprises

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