Network embeddedness and technology transfer performance in R&D consortia in Taiwan

Abstract

This study considers the government-sponsored R&D Consortia as a critical external learning alternative to upgrade technology capabilities of small and medium enterprises. The study hypothesizes that the participating firms in a government-sponsored R&D alliance can improve their technology transfer performance if they can sustain appropriate network relationships with other network members, such as the research institute or other alliance firms. In addition, we demonstrate that the learning intent and absorptive capability of participating firms moderate the effects of network embeddedness on performance. The study uses a sample of 110 companies from the R&D Consortia sponsored by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a primary R&D center founded in 1973 and supported by government for industry in Taiwan. The results conclude with significant impacts of network embeddedness on technology transfer performance and significant moderating effects of organizational learning. The “transferred to whom” issue in the differentiated network of R&D consortia is also examined and discussed.