Abstract: Based on theoretical analysis about the influence of external search tactics on firm's technology innovation performance, and studies moderating effect of knowledge absorptive capacity in this process, this paper comes up with corresponding research hypothesis, and applies the questionnaire survey method and structural equation model in empirical research. The results show that search breadth of external search tactics has a significantly positive impact on technology innovation performance, and knowledge absorptive capacity has a positive moderating effect between the external search breadth and technology innovation performance; search depth of external search tactics is curvilinearly (taking an inverted U-shape) related to technology innovation performance, and knowledge absorptive capacity moderate this relationship.

Key words: technology innovation performance, external search tactics, knowledge absorptive capacity, search breadth, search depth