부산대학교 도서관

The right partner and high innovation speed are crucial for a successful research and development (R&D) alliance in the high-tech industry. Does homogeneity or heterogeneity between partners benefit innovation speed? This study examined the links between partner asymmetries (technological heterogeneity and network resource asymmetry) and innovative speed from both economic and social dual perspectives by focusing on biopharmaceutical industries. The results revealed an inverse U-shaped relationship between technology heterogeneity and innovation speed. In addition, a positive linear relationship exists between network resource asymmetry and innovation speed for 1991–2000 alliances and for biotech–biotech partner-type alliances; significantly negative moderating effects of time to market occurred on these linear relations. Finally, this study makes important theoretical and practical contributions to partner selection literature on R&D alliances in the biopharmaceutical industry.