The moderating effect of network power on relational risks and knowledge flow in R&D network

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of two dimensions of relational risks, namely, opportunism behavior and interest conflict, on knowledge flow and to explore the moderating effect of network power among these untested relationships and to examine the positive effect of opportunism behavior and interest conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts survey data collected from 180 enterprises in China's high-technology industry and examines the relationship between relational risks, network power and knowledge flow.

Findings

This research empirically shows that opportunism behavior and interest conflict significantly and negatively impact on knowledge flow. Those relationships are positively moderated by network power.

Research limitations/implications

To be more generalized to the high-technology industry, future research should adopt the quantitative research, which can obtain more comprehensive information to explore the nature of phenomenon. The future research can also combine with other variables. In addition, this research extends the current literature by investigating the relationship of so far understudied theorized antecedents.

Originality/value

This research enriches the related network perspective literature by providing new insight combining relational risks and knowledge flow. Especially, the moderating effect of network power is empirically examined.

Citation

Yang, N., Guo, M., Wang, J. and Zhang, Y. (2021), "The moderating effect of network power on relational risks and knowledge flow in R&D network", Management Decision, Vol. 59 No. 10, pp. 2421-2441. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-05-2020-0662