Vicarious learning from peer innovation failures: The moderating effects of venture capital syndication networks

Abstract

Firms can derive insights not only from their own failures but also from the innovation failures of counterparts in the same industry. This study investigates how 109 Chinese A-share listed high-tech firms (2013–2022) learn from counterparts' innovation failures to improve their success rate of innovation and emphasizes the crucial role of venture capital (VC) syndication networks in facilitating knowledge transfer. Central VCs within the network notably enhance vicarious learning from others' failures. Further empirical analysis shows a significant increase in the success rate of exploitative innovations, while the impact on exploratory innovations is minimal.