This dissertation consists of three essays examining the role of connectivity in the catch-up process of a nation primarily focusing on East Asian countries. Specifically, I investigate the sourcing of knowledge, especially tacit knowledge, on local innovation capability building and thus catch-up process of a nation. I argue that for any country, sourcing from the diverse pools of tacit knowledge available in different parts of the world is a crucial requirement in maintaining a robust innovation eco-system. This becomes much more important in the catch-up process of a less-developed or emerging economy that is attempting to build local innovation capability. In the first chapter, I lay the theoretical groundwork for the dissertation by reviewing how existing studies have contributed to our understanding of the catch-up process of an economy. Then, in the second chapter, I explore how the openness of an economy underpins contrasting economic outcomes by comparing the economies of South Korea and Brazil. The third chapter emphasizes that the connectivity to the global innovation system is equally important for a more advanced economy such as Japan. Lack of such connectivity could lead to systemic “lock-in” in the long term. This is done by investigating the national systems of innovation of Japan in four knowledge-intensive industries: automotive, electronics, robotics and pharmaceuticals. Using patent data, I demonstrate that compared to other advanced countries such as Germany and Denmark, the Japanese innovation system is quite closed. I speculate that closedness to global innovation systems could be one of the reasons for Japan’s prolonged economic recession and the underperformance of its once world leading firms. The fourth chapter proposes an alternative catch-up strategy by investigating the innovation catch-up processes in Korea and Taiwan. These two Asian economies achieved developed status in a remarkably short period of time. Surprisingly, I found that these two countries are not well-connected to the rest of the world when it comes to innovation networks. These two countries achieved innovation catch-up rapidly by focusing on specific technologies that inherently require less reliance on learning through co-inventor networks. These technologies are the so-called “short cycle” technologies, i.e., technologies where the time period between innovation and maturation is very short. Therefore, relatively advanced technologies can be obtained in an “off-the-shelf” manner through outright purchase, licensing, and other means that do not require in-house wholly-owned innovation systems. / Business Administration/International Business Administration

This research study elaborates on one of the most important features of the modern International Business (IB) area; the multinational R&D subsidiary. Taking into consideration the strategic importance and the particular role the R&D subsidiary plays, this study sheds light on the multiple forms of knowledge networks in which the R&D subsidiary is embedded. Accordingly, based on the two already known dichotomies of subsidiary knowledge networks (external home vs. external host and external host vs. internal) this thesis draws on the existing theory and empirical evidence and proposes a triangular view (i.e. external home, external host and internal) between the R&D subsidiary and its embeddedness within the surrounding knowledge networks. Accordingly, based on three major theories of the management in the IB area, Social Network Theory (SNT), Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) and Agency Theory (AT), this study provides answers on a number of under researched questions. First, what are the determinants of each type of R&D subsidiary embeddedness in each of the three available knowledge networks? Second, considering the relative costs influencing R&D subsidiaries to rely more or less on one form of embeddedness compared to another, what sort of relationship exists (i.e. complementary or substitutive) between the aforementioned forms of R&D subsidiary embeddedness? Finally, considering the contextual- and HQ-specific factors that impact the overall functioning of the R&D subsidiary, what sort of effect do the multiple forms of R&D subsidiary embeddedness have on the latter’s innovative performance? This study adopts a quantitative approach and employs appropriate econometric methods in order to provide answers to the aforementioned research questions. Furthermore, data from three different sources are amalgamated. First, a unique survey questionnaire is utilised. This instrument was originally developed in the University of Reading and corresponds to both subsidiaries and the HQ. The sample covers Fortune 500 Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). Second, and in order to augment the information derived from the survey, supplementary information on patent characteristics is sourced from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. Third, a range of aggregate-level (secondary) data enriches the existing dataset. The findings reveal that each form of R&D subsidiary embeddedness is determined by a set of different predictors. Precisely, it is found that host location’s macroeconomic uncertainty positively influences subsidiary’s embeddedness in the home location’s knowledge network. Being an R&D subsidiary and having an adaptation and support-oriented profile, as well as being highly centralised to the HQ, negatively influences the R&D subsidiary’s embeddedness in the host location’s knowledge network. On the other hand, having a more research intensive and internationally integrated R&D role positively influences the R&D subsidiary’s embeddedness in the internal knowledge network of the MNE. The findings also indicate that a complementary relationship exists between external home and external host, as well as among external host and internal knowledge networks. On the contrary, a substitutive relationship is indicated between external home and internal networks under which the R&D subsidiary is embedded. Finally, as regards the last research question the results indicate that only internal embeddedness has a positive and significant impact on innovative performance, while scientific and research endowment of the host locations is also found to positively influence the innovative output of the R&D subsidiary. Implications for academics and practitioners (both managers and policy makers) are widely discussed and suggest that the three-dimensional view of embeddedness is useful in understanding and explaining the way MNEs’ foreign R&D subsidiaries operate.

In knowledge management research domain, there is lack of research to investigate what factors influence individuals¡¦ knowledge sourcing behaviors. Most literatures focus on supply end of knowledge flow, but few literatures focus on demand end of knowledge flow. Therefore, this study developed a conceptual model to explain individual¡¦ knowledge sourcing behaviors, and we categorized individuals¡¦ knowledge sourcing behaviors into People-to-People and People-to-Published. We also adopt three main categories of antecedents to individuals¡¦ knowledge sourcing behaviors including: group¡¦s factors, individual factors, task-related factors. We adopted the quantitative research method and focus on individuals from different organization in various Industries to collect research data. Then, Structural equations model analysis was conducted to test the research model. The results revealed that: (1)The factors influenced individuals performing People-to-People knowledge sourcing behaviors including: (a)Trust from group¡¦ factors, (b)Risk-aversion from individual factors, (c)Tacit knowledge demanded, and Variety from task-related factors. (2)The factors influenced individuals performing People-to-Published knowledge sourcing behaviors including: (a)Learning orientation from individual factors, (b)Explicit knowledge demanded, Standardization, and Time pressure from task-related factors. With the results of this study, we hope to present a further understanding of the demand for knowledge within organizations and offer a theoretical framework for researchers and managers to predict individuals¡¦ knowledge sourcing behaviors, then improving the management mechanism about these behaviors.

In this study we explored the relationship between absorptive capacity, knowledge sourcing strategy, alliance forms, and firm performance. Based on the literature and case study, we proposed the concept of knowledge sourcing strategy in alliance contexts, which can be categorized into two types¡Xknowledge internalization strategy and knowledge access strategy. From organizational learning perspective, we argue that a firm¡¦s absorptive capacity has a positive influence on knowledge internalization strategy, and accordingly a firm¡¦s governance choices of alliances are also influenced. Firm¡¦s R&D performance are also included in theoretical model in order to generate further managerial implications. Instead of using conventional regression method, we adopt Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to conduct path-analysis, in that SEM is well suited to verifying causal models. We argue that firms should seek a better alignment between absorptive capacity, knowledge sourcing strategy, alliance forms, and firm performance. Our arguments are supported by empirical analysis of a sample of 148 R&D alliances involving computer, telecommunication, LCD/LED, semiconductor, and electronic machinery industry.

Knowledge is the critical success factor for organizations to compete in the contemporary business world. Organizations that can make full use of their collective expertise and knowledge are likely to be more innovative, efficient and effective in the marketplace. With the development of advanced information and communication technology, organizations are undertaking various knowledge management initiatives to augment traditional ways of knowledge transfer. This dissertation intended to understand how various factors influence knowledge workers' knowledge sourcing behavior in the multimodal knowledge network. More specifically, our research question is: How do task characteristics, knowledge characteristics and individual characteristics influence knowledge workers' channel preferences during their knowledge sourcing activities?We built a knowledge sourcing preference model which predicts knowledge workers' preferences among various knowledge channels. We identified eight important antecedents from a wide spectrum of task characteristics, knowledge characteristics, and individual characteristics. We also identified three representative knowledge sourcing channels: face-to-face communication with colleagues, knowledge repositories, and discussion forums. We developed eight hypotheses on how each of the antecedent influence channel preferences.We tested our hypotheses through a survey we conducted in an international information technology company. Out of the eight hypotheses, the hypotheses on the influences from knowledge codifiability, knowledge volatility, extroversion/introversion dimension of the personality, and reciprocation wariness are supported. The hypotheses on the influences from task interdependency and task urgency are partially supported. The hypotheses on the influences from task routineness and expertise are not supported.This study furthers our understanding of knowledge workers' knowledge sourcing behavior in a multimodal knowledge network. The results of this study help organizations understand the advantages and disadvantages of various sourcing channels under certain circumstance of tasks, knowledge, and individuals. With this understanding, organizations will be able to have reasonable expectations on the utilization of knowledge transfer approaches, and to improve the effectiveness of the knowledge transfer initiatives. This will enable the organizations to cultivate environments or design systems to develop the types of channels to accommodate the preferences of knowledge workers with various combinations of tasks, knowledge and individual characteristics.

External knowledge sourcing is not only an integral practice within knowledge management, its successful facilitation through leadership has a pressing importance for companies in order to stay innovative and thus competitive in an economic environment, shaped by the dominant and continuous influence of globalization and the increasingly fast pace of technological innovation. Hereby, only limited research has been conducted in the relation between knowledge-oriented leadership, knowledge management, and innovation.This thesis is contextualized in the scientific discourse which concerns itself with the role of individual attitudes towards external knowledge sourcing, as well as the facilitating role of leadership towards changing individual attitudes. This thesis is, furthermore, also contextualized within the concepts of open innovation and absorptive capacity, which, respectively, are consequences of the spatial effects of globalization and the temporal effects of the fast pace of technological innovation.Research Question: Facing the challenges of globalization and the fast-changing pace of technology, what patterns between employee’s attitudes towards external knowledge acquisition and employee’s perceived leadership behaviors can be observed within tech companies in Sweden?In order to answer the proposed research question, we conducted a qualitative research including nine semi-structured interviews with employees with a technical background in tech companies in Sweden, ranging from small to large companies and with local to multinational operations.Our main findings represent a generally positive attitude towards external knowledge sourcing within our research scope, which relates with high levels of transformational leadership. Still, we were not able to explore the existence of knowledge-oriented leadership.This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge management, innovation, and leadership research, as it provides a first look into previously identified research gaps, namely the impact of knowledge-oriented leadership and knowledge management on open innovation (Naqshbandi & Jasimuddin, 2018) and the missing connection of the three separate bodies: leadership, knowledge management, and innovation (Donate & de Pablo, 2015)

The New Space industry is a novel branch of the space industry focusing on innovation and commercialization. It experiences very swift growth, although only a fraction of this growth has taken place in Sweden. In order to change this, policymakers are investing funds and efforts into developing the Swedish New Space industry, including the Kvarken Space Center project, aimed at developing the Northern Swedish New Space industry. Here, we see public support in developing a high-tech innovation ecosystem in a peripheral area. This is a topic offering multiple research streams on the most efficient development methods, two of which juxtapose the knowledge ecosystem and intercompany collaborations respectively. With that in mind, we formulated the following research question:   How are collaborations and the knowledge ecosystem used to source knowledge for the innovation process?   To approach to the subject, we gathered literature on innovation systems and ecosystems in order to analyze the importance of the knowledge ecosystem and the various shapes the industry can assume. This information is linked to theory on knowledge types and sourcing methods considering tacit and codified knowledge, which through different constellations form different needs of knowledge sources.   Our empirical approach investigated how the companies used different knowledge sources, namely collaborations, the knowledge ecosystem, and other sources, including networks, monitoring, and mobility. Thereafter, we considered the effects of outstanding factors, including funding and the peripheral region, on knowledge input in innovation.   We identified that companies in the upstream industry node, i.e. those related to launch activities and vehicles, and companies in the downstream node, i.e. those extracting data from space, both use engineering knowledge. Engineering knowledge requires both tacit and some codified knowledge, suggesting similar knowledge inputs for both nodes. However, different node traits lead to different inputs. Upstream companies see low degrees of knowledge transfer, especially from the knowledge ecosystem and from collaborations due to NDAs and intellectual property regards, and tacit knowledge input from external sources is particularly lacking.  Downstream actors see few constraints to using the investigated knowledge sources, although collaborations saw difficulties due to complexities in structuring them. However, many unilateral complementarities are seen from the knowledge ecosystem, leading to higher knowledge input particularly from networks, while also boosting collaborations to some extent. This was also partly observed in upstream companies. Thus, the knowledge ecosystem sees significant use, although much is indirect, while collaborations see less use.   Our main findings are that policymakers and the knowledge ecosystem should focus more on sources of tacit knowledge, such as students, while investing in network-boosting activities as industry events. Companies, especially upstream ones, should utilize collaborations more. Upstream companies should also utilize the local knowledge ecosystem more, as the rights to intellectual property produced by private actors in universities belong to the producer. Regarding future research, we warrant studies on knowledge sourcing in New Space companies and other knowledge sources, such as networks as a compensatory knowledge source.