Knowledge spillover driven by institutions: evidence from the big science project in China

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore the knowledge spillover mechanism in big science projects (BSP) from an institutional perspective by elaborating on the dynamic relationship between institutional dualism and legitimacy. Design/methodology/approach The study conducts an exploratory research and adopts the grounded theory methodology in the context of BSP. Data draw mainly upon nine semi-structured interviews. Findings The knowledge spillovers in BSP are driven by institutions, which work through mechanisms of legitimacy perception. Formal and informal institutions influence organizational and individual behavior through legitimacy pressure and support. Formal institutions impose legitimacy pressure on organizations and individuals, forcing them to cooperate closely to solve problems; informal institutions enable them to adopt innovative strategies and positive attitudes through legitimacy support; all these promote knowledge spillovers in research and development (R&D) activities, engineering practice and regional interaction. Knowledge spillovers enable stakeholders to realize their R&D advancement, manufacturing promotion and management sophistication. Further, regional knowledge diffusion and culture transmission promote regional innovation and social capital accumulation. Research limitations/implications The study develops a theoretical model that shows how knowledge spillover mechanisms happen in BSP from an institutional perspective (the trigger, the channels/process and the impacts). More specifically, this explanation is provided by explaining how formal and informal institutions influence organizational and individual behavior through legitimacy perceptions. Practical implications First, policymakers should recognize and value the guiding, supporting and coordinating role of formal institutions and enrich capital forms to release the legitimacy pressure of stakeholders. Second, management of BSP needs to be capable of coordinating stakeholder relationships and interactions, while management should focus their attention on fostering good organizational routines and shared group value. Third, the local culture and customs should be taken into consideration since it can be an enabling or constraining of BSP. Finally, industries can take advantage of the opportunity to coordinate their R&D efforts to gain competitiveness. Originality/value First, the authors introduce the institutional perspective to analyze the construction process of BSP, which helps to better understand the interactions of stakeholders under the influence of institutions, the dynamic process and impacts of knowledge spillovers. Second, the authors are committed to contributing to the development of knowledge spillover theories by adopting an institutional perspective. The authors furthermore explore and propose the presence of a dynamic mechanism between institutional dualism and knowledge spillovers. In consequence, the authors introduce the concept of legitimacy perceptions, which is a bridge to understanding the interaction between them. Third, by explicitly discussing the actual meaning of our framework, the authors explore the unique potential of institutional arrangement in promoting the knowledge management of complex cross-border cooperation, while seeking to promote its management and administrative practices.

The characteristics of knowledge diffusion of library and information science – from the perspective of citation

“…Gao and Guan (2012) proposed a network model based on citation time series, which integrated the methods of time series networks, epidemic spread models, main path analyses and characterized the main path and overall speed of knowledge diffusion. Zhang et al (2021) explored the knowledge spillover mechanism in big science projects (BSP) from an institutional perspective, and they found the knowledge spillover in BSP was driven by institutions. Huang et al (2021) developed a two-layer network to model the interaction between the spread of epidemic and the competitive diffusions of information.…”

Effects of interactions between technology spillovers and carbon transfers on carbon emission reduction decisions and coordination within supply chains

“…Second, this study places carbon transfer and technology spillovers within a carbon policy framework. Previous studies have been limited to exploring the directions and measurements of carbon transfers (Dong et al , 2022; Ji et al , 2020), or productivity and product quality improvement caused by technology spillovers (Zhang et al , 2021). The importance of carbon transfers and technology spillovers should be reexamined, since carbon emission rights are regarded as commercial resources (Sun and Zhong, 2023).…”

“…Kecskes and Nguyen (2021) argued that technology spillovers could help enterprises adopt flexible financial policies while increasing their value to other enterprises. Zhang et al (2021) found that sharing technology achievements could help stakeholders achieve progress in research and development by exploring technology spillover mechanisms. These scholars have focused on the direct benefits, such as lower production costs, higher product quality and higher productivity levels, of technology spillovers.…”

Foreign ownership, passive‐learning knowledge spillovers, and corporate social responsibility reporting in China

“…From an institutional perspective, KSs can be driven by institutions (Zhang et al, 2021). Domestic firms may imitate the CSR reporting practices of foreign firms to meet the requirements of regulations (Muller & Kolk, 2010).…”

“…External pressures, especially institutional pressures, are key determinants of passive‐learning KSs. Formal and informal institutions “influence organizational and individual behavior through legitimacy pressure and support” and encourage KSs (Zhang et al, 2021). In contrast, nonpassive‐learning spillovers are KSs in forms other than passive‐learning spillovers.…”