Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes

We explore how a standardization effort (i.e., when a firm pursues standards to further innovation) involves different search processes for knowledge and innovation outcomes. Using an inductive case study of Vanke, a leading Chinese property developer, we show how varying degrees of knowledge comple...

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Main Authors: Xie, Zongjie, Hall, Jeremy, McCarthy, Ian P., Skitmore, Martin, Shen, Liyin
Format: Article
Published: Elservier 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39086/
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author Xie, Zongjie
Hall, Jeremy
McCarthy, Ian P.
Skitmore, Martin
Shen, Liyin
author_facet Xie, Zongjie
Hall, Jeremy
McCarthy, Ian P.
Skitmore, Martin
Shen, Liyin
author_sort Xie, Zongjie
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description We explore how a standardization effort (i.e., when a firm pursues standards to further innovation) involves different search processes for knowledge and innovation outcomes. Using an inductive case study of Vanke, a leading Chinese property developer, we show how varying degrees of knowledge complexity and codification combine to produce a typology of four types of search process: active, integrative, decentralized and passive, resulting in four types of innovation outcome: modular, radical, incremental and architectural. We argue that when the standardization effort in a firm involves highly codified knowledge, incremental and architectural innovation outcomes are fostered, while modular and radical innovations are hindered. We discuss how standardization efforts can result in a second-order innovation capability, and conclude by calling for comparative research in other settings to understand how standardization efforts can be suited to different types of search process in different industry contexts.
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spelling nottingham-390862020-05-04T17:29:16Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39086/ Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes Xie, Zongjie Hall, Jeremy McCarthy, Ian P. Skitmore, Martin Shen, Liyin We explore how a standardization effort (i.e., when a firm pursues standards to further innovation) involves different search processes for knowledge and innovation outcomes. Using an inductive case study of Vanke, a leading Chinese property developer, we show how varying degrees of knowledge complexity and codification combine to produce a typology of four types of search process: active, integrative, decentralized and passive, resulting in four types of innovation outcome: modular, radical, incremental and architectural. We argue that when the standardization effort in a firm involves highly codified knowledge, incremental and architectural innovation outcomes are fostered, while modular and radical innovations are hindered. We discuss how standardization efforts can result in a second-order innovation capability, and conclude by calling for comparative research in other settings to understand how standardization efforts can be suited to different types of search process in different industry contexts. Elservier 2016-02-01 Article PeerReviewed Xie, Zongjie, Hall, Jeremy, McCarthy, Ian P., Skitmore, Martin and Shen, Liyin (2016) Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes. Technovation, 48-49 . pp. 69-78. ISSN 0166-4972 standardization effort; search process; innovation; knowledge; construction industry http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166497215000929 doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2015.12.002 doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2015.12.002
spellingShingle standardization effort; search process; innovation; knowledge; construction industry
Xie, Zongjie
Hall, Jeremy
McCarthy, Ian P.
Skitmore, Martin
Shen, Liyin
Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title_full Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title_fullStr Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title_full_unstemmed Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title_short Standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
title_sort standardization efforts: the relationship between knowledge dimensions, search processes and innovation outcomes
topic standardization effort; search process; innovation; knowledge; construction industry
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39086/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39086/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/39086/