Abstract: In the process of dynamic evolution of collaborative innovation network, what opportunities and constraints do inventors face? We empirically explore the impact of the dynamic of inventors’ ego-networks on their knowledge search depth and breadth and also explore the moderating effect of dynamic of network community on the relationship between the dynamic of ego-network and knowledge search depth and breadth through using negative binomial model based on patents applied by Huawei and Apple companies to USPTO. We found that the ego-network expansion and recession both have an inverted U-shaped influence on knowledge search depth and breadth, and ego-network stability negatively affect knowledge search depth and breadth. Further empirical results show that the expansion of the network community has a positive moderating effect on the inverted U-shaped between the expansion of ego-network and knowledge search depth and breadth, the stability of network community enhances the negative effect of the stability of ego-network on knowledge depth and breadth, and the recession of the network community also has a positive moderating effect on the inverted U-shaped between the recession of ego-network and knowledge search depth and breadth. We try to make up studied on the functional mechanisms of the innovation network from a static perspective and from a single level, and we expect to guide innovator bodies to construct and manage their innovation network.

摘要： 在合作创新网络动态演进过程中，发明者面临着怎样的机会与约束？本文以华为公司和苹果公司在美申请专利数据为样本，运用负二项模型，实证研究了发明者自我网络动态对其知识深度搜索及广度搜索行为的影响，并实证了网络社群动态对自我网络动态与知识搜索深度及广度关系的调节效应。研究发现：发明者自我网络扩张和自我网络衰退对知识搜索深度及广度之间都存在倒U型的影响，而自我网络稳定负向影响知识搜索深度及广度。进一步实证发现：发明者所处的网络社群扩张对自我网络扩张与知识搜索深度及广度间的关系具有正向调节作用，网络社群稳定对自我网络稳定与知识搜索深度及广度间的关系具有正向调节作用，网络社群衰退对自我网络衰退与知识搜索深度及广度间的关系具有正向调节作用。本研究弥补当前静态视角及单一层面对创新网络功能机制的研究，对指导创新主体构建及管理自身创新网络具有重要的现实意义。