Organization and Strategy Seminar（2018-12）

Topic: Boundary Choices in Innovation: How does Availability of Hiring Affect Firms’ Technology Sourcing Strategies

Speaker: Xiaoshu Bei,Duke University

Time: Friday, 23 November, 15:05-16:30

Location: Room K02 , Guanghua Building 2

Abstract:

In this paper, I study the relationship between hiring and external technology sourcing. Hiring can either substitute for external technology sourcing by bringing new technologies/capabilities to a firm or complement external sourcing by providing information for evaluating and integrating external technology sources. The availability of alternative information sources and the ability to transfer not only technologies but also technical capabilities determine differences in firms’ external technology sourcing via two mechanisms: a decrease in the external supply of technical labor leads to differences in use of the market for firms (MFF) versus the market for technology (MFT). The empirical analysis employs a difference-in-differences causal inference design using staggered adoption of the inevitable disclosure doctrine (IDD), a state level law in the U.S. The results support the importance of hiring and demonstrate that when the external supply of technical labor is low, there is strong substitution with the MFF but not with the MFT. MFF acquisitions are also more likely to be proximate to the firm due to the availability of local information sources and the ability to obtain local capabilities.

Introduction:

Xiaoshu Bei (贝晓姝) is a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration (Strategy) from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Her research interests are at the intersection of strategic management, technology innovation, and the management of intellectual properties. Her dissertation investigates firms’ technology sourcing strategies, and the factors that affect their choices.

Xiaoshu has published in both science and management journals, such as Nature Genetics, PLoS One, and Health Affairs. Part of her dissertation is now conditional accepted in Research Policy (Chapter 1), and in preparation for resubmission to Strategic Management Journal (Chapter 2).

Your participation is warmly welcomed!