The Impact Of Scientific Knowledge Resources On Innovatio Performance:Science-based Innovation

Science has become increasingly important in the high-tech industries. It provides the necessary knowledge base for companies to identify the long-term technological evolution directions and develop new business fields. Science is the cornerstone of the leading enterprises, especially in the industries which strongly rely on basic scientific research, such as biotechnological industry and fine chemical industry.Knowledge-based theory indicates that knowledge is the most important strategic resource of companies. In science-based innovation, companies rely more on scientific knowledge than other knowledge types like production knowledge, process knowledge or market knowledge. How scientific knowledge influences the firms’ innovation performance and how external scientific knowledge flows into the firms efficiently are important problems every high-tech enterprises must consider.Based on the knowledge-based view, this study attempts to explore the impact of scientific knowledge resources on innovation performance as well as the mechanism in the science-based innovation practice of biotechnological industry. The paper conducts a comprehensive literature review about science-based innovation paradigm, and adopts both empirical research and case study to test the relationship between the stocks and flows of scientific knowledge and innovation performance. A large-scale questionnaires survey is conducted and NHU Company is selected as the case to study the value of scientific knowledge during science-based innovation.The research proves the significantly positive impact of both stocks and flows of scientific knowledge on firms’innovation performance as well as the significant mediation effect of technical competence. Besides, the study finds out introducing talent, directly purchasing external knowledge, and establishing R&D alliances are three effective ways leading the external scientific knowledge to flow into the firms. The study improves the science-based innovation research, deepens and expands the relevant theories, and provides important practical implications for enterprises.