Young geniuses versus old masters: Two different trajectories of individual knowledge bases in the innovation process

Knowledge depth and knowledge breadth, the two dimensions of individual knowledge bases, are the most fundamental sources of innovation. Following a mixed-method approach, we collect data from top chemical scientists in the R&D department of a leading US oil and gas company and investigate how individuals leverage their knowledge bases in the innovation process. In the qualitative study, we develop a conceptual framework with the two-stage innovation process and label two distinct groups of individuals as “Young Geniuses” with high knowledge depth and “Old Masters” with high knowledge breadth. In the quantitative study, our analysis shows two different trajectories toward the innovation process: the negative impact of knowledge depth on early stage knowledge combinations for Young Geniuses occurs extremely early; the diminishing return of knowledge breadth on late-stage commercialization for Old Masters occurs very late. Our study further analyzes the interaction effect of knowledge breadth for knowledge depth and provides practical implications for managers; in particular, inventors who better comprehend the timing of switching knowledge development can navigate the innovation process to achieve fruitful outcomes.