Knowledge diffusion in the semiconductor industry

Abstract

Considers firms’ management of knowledge creation, diffusion and implementation. In particular, examines the diffusion link in this chain and presents a new framework where an ocean of ideas flows much like an ocean current. Through its past innovative activity and its employees’ professional experiences, a firm is caught up in a “technology current”. The degree of knowledge diffusion across organizations depends on encouraging and thwarting this current’s forces. The framework suggests that the ease of knowledge diffusion depends on the degree of similarity in organizations’ technical prowess. As an example, knowledge flows in the semiconductor industry are examined through citations to Intel’s journal articles. The empirical findings show that Intel’s knowledge, codified in these articles, diffuses more quickly to organizations in Western Europe and Japan than those in Taiwan and Korea. This pattern coincides with geographic market leadership and suggests that knowledge networks exist across countries.