Effects of exploration and exploitation activities on patent capacity and innovation performance: Moderating effects of absorptive capacity Park Eun-Mi1, Seo Joung-Hae1,* 1Department of Business Administration, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, South Korea *Corresponding author: Joung-Hae Seo Professor Department of Business Administration, Kyungpook National University, South Korea Email: knight6407@naver.com
Online published on 16 October, 2018. Abstract Background/Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors relevant to the effects of the exploration and exploitation activities on the patent capacity and the innovation performance, and determine the moderating effects of the absorptive capacity. Methods/Statistical Analysis To that end, R&D staff at Korean ICT companies completed a self-report questionnaire. Using the PLS, one of the structural equation methods, the goodness-of-fit of the model is verified in terms of the internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Findings The analysis highlights the effects of the exploration and exploitation activities on the patent capacity, which in turn influences the technology innovation performance and the technology commercialization capacity. The absorptive capacity has positive effects on the patent capacity. The exploitation activities exert influence on the patent control activities via the absorptive capacity. Moreover, the exploitation activities impact on the patent development support activities via the absorptive capacity. Improvements/Applications The findings suggest ICT companies should perceive the importance of the exploration and exploitation activities and the patent capacity before embarking on R&D activities, and may be applicable as a guidance to developing the patent capacity. Top Keywords Exploration Activities, Exploitation Activities, Patent Capacity, Innovation Performance, Absorptive Capacity. Top |