Knowledge Integration Methods, Opportunity Exploitation and High-tech New Venture Performance

Abstract

Combining insights from Knowledge-based Theory (KBT) and entrepreneurship, this paper explores how high-tech new ventures use different knowledge integration methods to increase their performance through opportunity exploitation. Using data from 239 Chinese high- tech new ventures, our empirical results indicate that both coordinate integration of knowledge and systemic integration of knowledge have positive effects on high-tech new venture performance and opportunity exploitation. Competitive intensity moderates the impact of knowledge integration methods on opportunity exploitation. Moreover, knowledge integration methods contribute to high-tech new venture performance through opportunity exploitation. This research helps enrich the knowledge of KBT and entrepreneurship research by uncovering the influence mechanism of different knowledge integration methods on high-tech new venture performance. It also provides managerial guidelines for high-tech new ventures to compete in the market, particularly in transition economies.