Routine replication and breakthrough innovation: the moderating role of knowledge power

摘要

Building on routine dynamics and RDT literatures, we pursue deeper insight into the impacts of different types of routine replication on breakthrough innovation in the context of varying knowledge power. Drawing on 168 Chinese firms, we theorise and demonstrate that there is a positive linear relationship between general-routine replication and breakthrough innovation and a U-shaped non-linear relationship between flexible-routine replication and breakthrough innovation. In addition, we found the knowledge power negatively moderates the U-shaped relationship. Our findings help to extend the nuanced understanding of innovation and routine dynamics studies.