A Longitudinal Study of the Influence of Alliance Network Structure and Composition on Firm Exploratory Innovation

Abstract

This study examines the influence of the structure and composition of a firm's alliance network on its exploratory innovation. In a longitudinal investigation of 77 telecommunications equipment manufacturers, I find the technological diversity of a firm's alliance partners increases its exploratory innovation. I also find that network density among a firm's alliance partners strengthens the influence of diversity. These results suggest the benefits of network closure and access to diverse information can coexist in a firm's alliance network and the combination of the two increases exploratory innovation.