Abstract: The study on the choice of inter firm partners focuses on the positive effects of the trust, reciprocity and cost reduction of the actors participating in the cooperation, but seldom considers the negative effects of the partner selection process. This study introduced a concept of divisive faultlines, assume“the overall network internal division tendency based on differences in the extent to which members have shared experiences” can hinder the knowledge sharing between network members, and the negative effect is different as network position and knowledge power is different. We survey enterprises with automobile industry, electronic information industry and equipment manufacturing industry, which is highly marketable and frequently technology innovation and joint application patents, using hierarchical regression model to analyze data. The results show that, divisive faultlines has a negative effect on knowledge sharing between network members, but the influence of different network members is different. Firms in network centric position can reduce the negative effects of divisive faultlines, and the higher knowledge power can put centric position firms stronger influence and control, to further reduce the negative effects of divisive faultlines on knowledge sharing. The results will contribute to further understanding the knowledge flow and learning behavior of different enterprises in technological innovation network.

Key words: divisive faultlines, knowledge sharing, network position, knowledge power, partner selection