Knowledge recombination for emerging technological innovations: The case of green shipping. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsouri, Maria; Hansen, Teis; Hanson, Jens; Steen, Markus
• Is Part Of: Technovation. Volume 114(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Knowledge recombination -- Network evolution -- Emerging technologies; D83 -- D85 -- O33; Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Periodicals; Innovations -- Périodiques; Gestion d'entreprise -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 658.57
• DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102454
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0166-4972

Abstract

Abstract: The paper explores knowledge recombination by analysing how knowledge networks in established technological fields influenced the formation of the emerging field of green shipping in the period 2007–2018. Previous research has demonstrated that embeddedness, proximity, and status are important mechanisms for the evolution of single technological fields. We investigate if these mechanisms also apply across technological fields. By employing dynamic social network analysis models, we find that actors transferred knowledge across technological fields through (re)combination mechanisms, which affected the emergence of the new technological field, but in different ways. While embeddedness and proximity played an important role, status was less important. Highlights: Knowledge recombination in related technological fields affects technological field emergence. Embeddedness (social and structural) drives knowledge recombination across technological fields. Status of actors does not transfer across technological fields. Institutional and organizational proximity affects the emergence of a technological field.