Abstract
Drawing on absorptive capacity and social network theory, we examine the effect of intrafirm network closure, tie strength, and diversity on firms? recombination speed of technologically distant external knowledge. Results from an event history study of 113 pharmaceutical firms, which engage in technology licensing in the period 1986-2003, reveal that the time to recombine external knowledge into own invention increases with technological distance. However, intrafirm co-invention network closure and diversity shorten the time to recombine distant external knowledge. These results mark the importance of inventors? knowledge networks as antecedent of the speed with which firms can absorb external knowledge.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
