TECHNOLOGICAL DISTANCE IN ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS: EVIDENCE FROM BATTERY RESEARCH

Abstract

Technological distance is one important factor within research projects to enhance or prevent successful knowledge transfer for innovation. To get a better understanding of bridging mechanisms of diverging technological distances, we compare publication-based and individually perceived technological distances of collaboration partners in a multi-disciplinary battery research project. Differences hint at already bridged or non-bridged technological distances. Further information, given during expert interviews, present reasons for different knowledge transfer and recombination mechanisms in different dyadic collaborations. We generally find evidence that technological distance can be bridged by reducing geographical or social distances. When research activities are really complementary and collaboration partners have a common (technical) language, there is less need of decreasing other distances. Integrating research along the traditional battery value chain needs more social or geographical proximity to decrease and not just bridge technological distance at least in a practical way.