Knowledge transfer within relationship portfolios: the creation of knowledge recombination rents

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to clarify the underdeveloped conceptualization of a particular type network rents, defined as knowledge recombination rents, related to the possibility for a firm to transfer and recombine knowledge within and across its portfolio of inter-organizational relationships. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a contingency approach, the authors develop a comprehensive model with propositions drawn from an original synthesis of the extant literature on the management of inter-organizational relationships. Findings The authors summarize the most important internal and external variables that explain how knowledge recombination rents arise within a firm’s portfolio of inter-organizational relationships. The authors create a seven-proposition model that considers: an “internal fit,” related to internal contingencies of the firm, specifically life stage and its strategy; an “external fit,” related to external contingencies of the network of the firm, specifically past experience and current portfolio structure. Research limitations/implications The model is theory driven. Future research should validate empirically the relations proposed, especially in different industries and contexts. Practical implications The model, beyond the fact of being theoretically sounded, is also completely practical oriented. Indeed, the authors developed a comprehensive model articulated in seven propositions which relationship managers can easily use to analyze and manage their portfolios of inter-organizational relationships. Originality/value The model allows us to assert that the value of an inter-organizational relationship is neither fixed nor just related to the single dyadic interaction; rather before engaging with a relationship is crucial to ponder possible benefits and harms. This is the central element in the contribution that develops an easy-to-use and comprehensive model based on best practices.

Knowledge transfer and organizational performance and business process: past, present and future researches

“…However, the authors propose both theoretical and practical contributions. First, Pellegrini et al (2019) provide a theoretical holistic framework supporting knowledge recombination within the firm portfolio of relationships. Second, the authors recognize the holistic framework as "easy to use" tool composed of seven propositions (internal and external fits) supporting the strategic planning process by relationship managers.…”

“…Further papers investigated the impact of patenting on the performance of academic spin-off firms (Ferri et al , 2019), the role of cultural intelligence in KT process performance (Vlajcic et al , 2019), key factors promoting knowledge-intensive business processes (Aureli et al , 2019) and KT and open innovation in the healthcare ecosystems (Secundo et al , 2019). The last four papers analyzed patterns of knowledge dissemination on Lean in the Italian National Healthcare Sector (D’Andreamatteo et al , 2019), the role of relational capital (RC) in university (Paoloni et al , 2019), network rents and KT (Pellegrini et al , 2019) and the role of the entrepreneur in the KT process of a start-up enterprise (Cardoni et al , 2019). The next sections present a synopsis of these papers.…”

“…The next paper by Pellegrini et al (2019) explores the knowledge recombination rents in terms of KT and combination within and across the firm portfolio of inter-organizational relationships. By proposing what is KT and relational rents, Pellegrini et al (2019) assume “relational rents are typically conceptualized at the level of the dyad and focus on the idiosyncratic matching of jointly owned resources, shared capabilities and the coordinated efforts of both organizations within a given relationship” (Dyer and Singh, 1998; Lavie, 2006)”. However, the authors propose both theoretical and practical contributions.…”

“…Emerging issues of KT and organizational performance are analyzed in some relevant fields, such as football industry (Trequattrini et al , 2019), healthcare sector (D’Andreamatteo et al , 2019) and university system (Paoloni et al , 2019). Innovative models supporting KT are directed to study the curve of knowledge (De Luca and Cano Rubio, 2019) and knowledge recombination rents (Pellegrini et al , 2019).…”

Innovation strategy beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of trust under disruptive technology

“…The partnership strategy involves in external partnership is a dominant tool to achieve competitive advantage. The relationship becomes a valuable resource to the management of foreign relations (Pellegrini et al, 2018). Through strengthening the trust-based interactions, firms impose new product development, which further allows them to outcompete other business organisations in the industry (Raza-Ullah and Kostis, 2020).…”