Science Research Management

Science Research Management ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (9): 175-183.

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External knowledge search, big data capability and innovation of enterprises

Lu Jianfeng1, Chen Si2   

  1. 1. College of Economics, Bohai University, Jinzhou 121013, Liaoning, China; 
    2. College of Finance, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin 300222, China
  • Received:2020-11-05 Revised:2021-06-03 Online:2021-09-20 Published:2021-09-22

Abstract:      Adhering to independent innovation and taking the path of innovation-driven development is a development strategy clearly put forward at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Enterprise innovation has practical significance for accelerating the transformation of economic development mode. Innovation is inseparable from the use and exploration of external knowledge. Big data technology enables companies to obtain in-depth, comprehensive and complete data in various fields, giving companies the opportunity to acquire knowledge that they could not obtain in the past.
    Therefore, this paper discusses the influence of external knowledge search on innovation ability of enterprises. At the same time, the moderating role of big data capabilities is considered, and the moderating role of external knowledge seeking on enterprise innovation is discussed. This article first put forward the research hypothesis and constructed the conceptual model. The research variables were defined and scientifically measured. Then a questionnaire was issued to enterprises, and a statistical analysis was conducted of the questionnaire data. In this study, non-response bias test analysis and homology bias test were used to verify the validity of the data. Regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the variables and verify the hypotheses. 
   The results show that the depth and breadth of external knowledge search have a positive impact on both breakthrough innovation and incremental innovation. The search breadth has a greater impact on incremental innovation, while the search depth has a greater impact on breakthrough innovation. In the search for depth and breadth of external knowledge, the ability of big data plays a significant positive role. Big data capability has a positive impact on both radical innovation and incremental innovation. Big data capability can deeply identify potentially valuable knowledge from external knowledge, thereby improving the quality of decision making. In addition, the ability of big data can help enterprises find unmet or potential customer needs and provide ideas different from the past, which is conducive to the gradual innovation of enterprises. Big data capabilities have a positive adjustment effect on the positive relationship between the depth of external knowledge search and incremental innovation and breakthrough innovation; the ability of big data to regulate the positive relationship between the breadth of external knowledge search and incremental innovation and breakthrough innovation is not obvious.
   This article suggests a wide range of knowledge sources can provide enterprises with ideas for progressive innovation, while in-depth knowledge can bring better innovation results for enterprises in need of radical innovation. Therefore, if enterprises carry out gradual innovation, they can acquire different knowledge by interacting with suppliers, customers and competitors, participating in seminars and exhibitions, or communicating with universities or research institutions.  Companies that want to carry out radical innovation can establish good relationships and gain in-depth knowledge through high-frequency and intensive interaction with these external knowledge channels. Companies should encourage big data-related activities, analyze customer data, and help them find the knowledge they need. In the context of big data, enterprise management should attach great importance to the learning of external knowledge, actively create opportunities to communicate with the external environment, and support the enterprise to acquire, digest, transform and utilize knowledge from the outside.

Key words: external knowledge search, big data, enterprise innovation