A Social Networks Approach to RD Strategy of Entrepreneurial Firms (ID: CU003)

摘要

R&D plays a critical role in the growth and success of an entrepreneurial firm. Scholars have differentiated between firm's exploratory search effort and exploitative search effort. Unlike the previous researches on R&D strategy of entrepreneurial firms that mostly focus on the organizational and environmental factors, this paper fills in the research gap by drawing from the strategic leadership perspective and social capital perspective. By examining how CEO's political networking determines the R&D strategy of entrepreneurial firms in China, this paper argues that entrepreneurial firms with CEOs that have developed strong political networking are more likely to pursue exploitative R&D and choose domestic R&D partner. Moreover, a powerful board will strengthen the relationship between CEO's political networking and the R&D strategy. The combination of the strategic leadership perspective and the social capital perspective provides a new lens that complements the existing studies on entrepreneurial firms' R&D strategy.