Abstract:  It is an important strategic issue for latecomers to better embed in the global value network in the open environment. Through the longitudinal case study of 3 latecomer firms which have transformed to frontiers, this study reveals the evolution of in-house knowledge base, network nodes and organization learning balance modes during the innovation network building of catch-up process. This study reveals that depending on the knowledge base breadth and depth, firms do not merely develop from simple to complex knowledge base as previous study states, while strategically select different knowledge base development path during the technology catch-up process. Secondly, the network nodes allocation will change according to the development of knowledge base. Thirdly, based on the exploitive learning inside, the organization learning balance mode will change from ambidexterity inside to ambidexterity both inside and outside.

Key words: technology catch-up, knowledge base, network nodes, organization learning ambidexterity