Using cross-border M&A data, this study investigates the effects of knowledge relatedness between two merging firms, measured by technological complementarity and technological diversity, on the post-merger new product performance. In addition, it aims to find that whether the degree of integration(ownership) of M&A could either propels or restrains the knowledge transfer process in the post-merger process. Based on the resource-based view (RBV) and organization learning theory, a research model is developed utilizing key constructs of knowledge relatedness, the degree of integration, and new product performance. Subsequently, hypotheses are tested using the firms’ patent information and cross-border M&A data in high-technology industries which are collected from National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and Securities Data Corporation (SDC), respectively. The results indicate that technological complementarity between merging firms facilitates post-merger exploitive product development while technological diversity increases post-merger exploratory product development. Specifically, when a firm acquires a target firm with complementary resources, it induces the acquiring firm to fall into a familiarity trap, resulting in post-merger exploitative product development. The integration of diverse knowledge stock from the target firms, on the other hand, facilitates exploratory product developments. Our results also confirm that the high degree of integration is particularly beneficial for integrating complementary knowledge due to relatively high absorptive capacity, while it has no effect on knowledge exploration. In this paper, we seek to provide a holistic perspective on the determinants of post-merger new product development by allowing a deeper understanding of technological relatedness between merging firms as well as the interdependence of the pre- and post-merger phases.
I. Introduction
II. Theoretical Background
III. Methodology
IV. Conclusion
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