{"title":"数字技术的外部依赖:如何影响研发模式?","authors":"Yiming Tong , Zhaoxi Han","doi":"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103097","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of digital technology brings new opportunities for firms’ R&D. However, how technology dependence caused by unbalanced digital technology distribution affects R&D innovation is still not clear. Using the data from listed high-tech manufacturing firms in China from 2012 to 2020, this study explores how external dependence on digital technology influences firm’s R&D models. The findings indicate that external dependence on digital technology restricts independent R&D but promotes external collaborative R&D. It also has an inverted U-shaped effect on intra-group collaborative R&D. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the results reveals that technology diversification, cross-boundary experience, team scale, and knowledge integration capability can strengthen the relationship between external dependence on digital technology and R&D models. Further analysis shows that this relationship is more pronounced in regions with fierce industry competition and strong policy support. This study improves the understanding of how external dependence on digital technology affects firm’s R&D models, and expands the literature on digital innovation and R&D management. The findings also highlight the role of TOE factors in managing digital technology dependence and offer valuable insights for improving inter-organizational digital collaboration and facilitating digital transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47979,"journal":{"name":"Technology in Society","volume":"84 ","pages":"Article 103097"},"PeriodicalIF":12.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"External dependence on digital technology: How does it affect R&D models?\",\"authors\":\"Yiming Tong , Zhaoxi Han\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103097\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<div><div>The development of digital technology brings new opportunities for firms’ R&D. However, how technology dependence caused by unbalanced digital technology distribution affects R&D innovation is still not clear. Using the data from listed high-tech manufacturing firms in China from 2012 to 2020, this study explores how external dependence on digital technology influences firm’s R&D models. The findings indicate that external dependence on digital technology restricts independent R&D but promotes external collaborative R&D. It also has an inverted U-shaped effect on intra-group collaborative R&D. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the results reveals that technology diversification, cross-boundary experience, team scale, and knowledge integration capability can strengthen the relationship between external dependence on digital technology and R&D models. Further analysis shows that this relationship is more pronounced in regions with fierce industry competition and strong policy support. This study improves the understanding of how external dependence on digital technology affects firm’s R&D models, and expands the literature on digital innovation and R&D management. The findings also highlight the role of TOE factors in managing digital technology dependence and offer valuable insights for improving inter-organizational digital collaboration and facilitating digital transformation.</div></div>\",\"PeriodicalId\":47979,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Technology in Society\",\"volume\":\"84 \",\"pages\":\"Article 103097\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":12.5000,\"publicationDate\":\"2025-10-03\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Technology in Society\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"90\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X25002878\",\"RegionNum\":1,\"RegionCategory\":\"社会学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"Q1\",\"JCRName\":\"SOCIAL ISSUES\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Technology in Society","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X25002878","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"SOCIAL ISSUES","Score":null,"Total":0}
External dependence on digital technology: How does it affect R&D models?
The development of digital technology brings new opportunities for firms’ R&D. However, how technology dependence caused by unbalanced digital technology distribution affects R&D innovation is still not clear. Using the data from listed high-tech manufacturing firms in China from 2012 to 2020, this study explores how external dependence on digital technology influences firm’s R&D models. The findings indicate that external dependence on digital technology restricts independent R&D but promotes external collaborative R&D. It also has an inverted U-shaped effect on intra-group collaborative R&D. Based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, the results reveals that technology diversification, cross-boundary experience, team scale, and knowledge integration capability can strengthen the relationship between external dependence on digital technology and R&D models. Further analysis shows that this relationship is more pronounced in regions with fierce industry competition and strong policy support. This study improves the understanding of how external dependence on digital technology affects firm’s R&D models, and expands the literature on digital innovation and R&D management. The findings also highlight the role of TOE factors in managing digital technology dependence and offer valuable insights for improving inter-organizational digital collaboration and facilitating digital transformation.
期刊介绍:
Technology in Society is a global journal dedicated to fostering discourse at the crossroads of technological change and the social, economic, business, and philosophical transformation of our world. The journal aims to provide scholarly contributions that empower decision-makers to thoughtfully and intentionally navigate the decisions shaping this dynamic landscape. A common thread across these fields is the role of technology in society, influencing economic, political, and cultural dynamics. Scholarly work in Technology in Society delves into the social forces shaping technological decisions and the societal choices regarding technology use. This encompasses scholarly and theoretical approaches (history and philosophy of science and technology, technology forecasting, economic growth, and policy, ethics), applied approaches (business innovation, technology management, legal and engineering), and developmental perspectives (technology transfer, technology assessment, and economic development). Detailed information about the journal's aims and scope on specific topics can be found in Technology in Society Briefings, accessible via our Special Issues and Article Collections.