Technological diversification, technology portfolio properties, and R&D productivity

This study aims to examine the differential effect of technological diversification on research and development (R&D) productivity based on the qualitative properties of technology portfolios (i.e., the direction of technological diversification). Using the U.S. patent database from 1980 to 2010...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of technology transfer Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 2074 - 2105
Main Authors Yoo, Seh-Hyun, Lee, Chang-Yang
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Springer US 01.12.2023
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Business and Management
Commercial Law
Consistency
Diversification
Economic Growth
Industrial Organization
Innovation/Technology Management
Management
Productivity
R&D
Research & development
Technology
Technology adoption
Network
Patent
Technology portfolio
O31
Technological diversification
R&D productivity
O33
O32
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Summary:This study aims to examine the differential effect of technological diversification on research and development (R&D) productivity based on the qualitative properties of technology portfolios (i.e., the direction of technological diversification). Using the U.S. patent database from 1980 to 2010, we divided overall technological diversification into related and unrelated technological diversification; furthermore, the two potential moderating factors of technology portfolio centrality and R&D consistency were tested across the different types of technological diversification. The notable findings are as follows: First, technology portfolio centrality has a positive moderating effect that is more pronounced as the degree of technological diversification increases. Second, R&D consistency has a positive and linear moderating effect. Third, the positive (negative) effect of technological diversification is more pronounced under related (unrelated) technological diversification. Consequently, firms can better utilize the R&D-productivity-enhancing effect of technological diversification by considering both the current degree of technological diversification and the properties of their technology portfolios.
ISSN:0892-9912
0892-9912
1573-7047
DOI:10.1007/s10961-022-09953-x