The influential factors of structural hole filling within inventor networks

Sun Xiaoming; Cui Wentian; Dong Jinwei

PDF(1557 KB)

Science Research Management ›› 2013 ›› Issue (7) : 31-38,44.

The influential factors of structural hole filling within inventor networks

Sun Xiaoming, Cui Wentian, Dong Jinwei

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The high innovation performance of inventors could be largely attributed to the richness of structural holes within their collaborative networks. This argument has been widely confirmed in western culture featured by individualism. However, some recent research suggests that filling structural holes are much more beneficial to Chinese inventors embedded in a collective and Confucian culture. Based on the patent data of 13 Chinese high-tech enterprises, how the difference of network structures (social capital) and inventors’ characteristics (labor capital) affects the filling of structural holes between teams is studied. Results indicate that differences of team centrality and team status lead to a significant and positive effect on the filling of structural holes. Furthermore, the results also show that there is an inverted-U relationship between the scope difference of team knowledge and the filling of structural holes.

Key words

high-tech enterprise / structural hole / patent / Cox proportional hazard model / network

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Sun Xiaoming, Cui Wentian, Dong Jinwei. The influential factors of structural hole filling within inventor networks[J]. Science Research Management. 2013(7): 31-38,44

References

[1] Hansen, M.T. The search-transfer problem: The role of weak ties in sharing knowledge across organization subunits [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1999, 44(1): 82-111. [2] Burt, R. S. Social contagion and innovation: cohesion versus structural equivalence [J]. American Journal of Sociology, 1987, 92(6): 1287-1335. [3] Kang, M., Kim, Y. A multilevel view on interpersonal knowledge transfer [J]. Journal of The American Society for Information Science and Technology, 2010, 61(3):483-494. [4] Fleming, L., S. Mingo, S., and Chen, D. Collaborative brokerage, generative creativity, and creative success [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2007, 52(3): 443-475. [5] Cowan, R., Jonard, N. Network structure and the diffusion of knowledge [J]. Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control, 2004, 28: 1557-1575. [6] 李金华.创新网络的结构及其与知识流动的关系[M].北京:经济科学出版社,2009.Li Jin-hua. The structure of innovation networks and its relationship with knowledge transfer [M]. Beijing: The Publishing House Of Economic Science, 2009. [7] Ahuja, M. K., Galletta, D. F., and Carley, K. M. Individual centrality and performance in virtual R&D groups: An empirical study [J]. Management Science, 2003, 49(1): 21-38. [8] Nekar, A., Paruchuri, S. Evolution of R&D capabilitis: the role of knowledge network within a firm [J]. Management Science, 2005, 51(5): 771-785. [9] Zaheer, A., Soda, G. Network evolution: the origins of structural holes [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2009, 54: 1-31. [10] Lee, J.J. Heterogeneity, brokerage, and innovative performance: endogenous formation of collaborative inventor networks [J]. Organization Science, 2009, 21(4): 804-802. [11] Burt, R. S. Structural holes and good ideas [J]. American Journal of Sociology, 2004, 110(2): 349-399. [12] Xiao, Z., Tsui, A.S. When brokers may not work: the cultural contingency of social capital in chinese high-tech firms [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2007, 52:1-31. [13] NallaPiet, J., Ghoshal, S. Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage [J]. Academy of Management Review, 1998, 23(2): 242-26. [14] Vega-Redondo, F. Building up social capital in a changing world [J]. Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control, 2006, 30(11): 2305-2338. [15] Becker, G. S.Human capital: a theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education [M]. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.,1993, 3rd ed. [16] 刘军编著.整体网分析讲义: UCINET软件实用指南 [M]. 上海: 格致出版社, 2009. Liu Jun. Lectures on whole network approach: A practical guide to UCINET [M]. Shanghai: Truth and Wisdom Press, 2009. [17] Reagans, R., McEvily, B. How to make the team: social networks vs. demography as criteria for designing effective teams [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2004, 49: 101-133. [18] Burt, R. S. Structural Holes: The Structure of Competition [M]. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992. [19] Luo, X., Deng, L. Do birds of a feather flock higher? The effects of partner similarity on innovation in strategic alliances in knowledge-intensive industries [J]. Journal of Management Studies, 2009, 46(6): 1005-1030. [20] Byrne, D. The attraction paradigm [M]. New York: Academic Press, 1971. [21] Gardner A., West S.A. Greenbeards [J]. Evolution, 2010, 64(1): 25-38. [22] Newman, M.E.J., Park, J. Why social networks are different from other types of networks [J]. Physical Review E, 2003, 68: 036122. [23] Albert, R, Barabasi, A. Statistical mechanics of complex networks [J]. Reviews of Modern Physics, 2002, 74(1): 47-97. [24] Venkatraman, N., Lee, C. Preferential linkage and network evolution: a conceptual model and empirical test in the U.S. video game sector [J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2004, 47(6): 876-892. [25] Capaldo, A. Network structure and innovation: the leveraging of a dual network as a distinctive relational capability [J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2007, 28: 585-608. [26] Cununings, J.L. Knowledge transfer across R&D units: an empirical investigation of the factors affecting sueeessful knowledge transfer across intra- and inter-orgnization units [D].UnPublished doetoral dissertation, GeorgeWashington University, 2001. [27] Nystrom, P.C., Starbuck, W.H. To avoid organizational crises, unlearn [J]. Organizational Dynamics, 1984, 12(4): 53-65. [28] Reagans, R., Zuckerman, E.W. Networks, diversity, and productivity: the social capital of corporate R&D teams [J]. Organization Science, 2001, 12(4): 502-517. [29] Rivera, M.T., Soderstrom, S.B., and Uzzi, B. Dynamics of dyads in social networks: assortative, relational, and proximity mechanisms [J]. Annual Review of Sociology, 2010, 36: 91-115. [30] Borgatti, S.P., Everett, M.G., and Freeman, L.C. Ucinet for windows: software for social network analysis [CP/DK]. Harvard, MA: Analytic Technologies, 2002. [31] Bonacich, P. Power and centrality: a family of measures [J]. American Journal of Sociology, 1987, 92:1170-1182. [32] Cox, D.R. 1972. Regression models and life tables [J]. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, B34: 187-220. [33] Pfeffer, J. Organizational demography: Implications for management [J]. California Management Review, 1985, 28(1): 67-81. [34] Ancona, D.G., Caldwell, D.F. Demography and design: predictors of new product team productivity [J]. Organization Science, 1992, 3: 3321-3341.