Effects of Geographic Search on Product Innovation in Industrial Cluster Firms in China
研究中国产业集群企业如何平衡本地与非本地地理搜索的广度和深度以促进产品创新，发现相对本地搜索深度和相对非本地搜索广度对产品创新有积极作用，且在稳定产业中效果更显著。
Abstract The literature suggests that cluster firms may undertake both local and nonlocal geographic searches for knowledge that contributes to their product innovation, and that cluster firms must balance their local and nonlocal searches for product innovation. Yet, previous research has seen local and nonlocal searches as one-dimensional, rather than two-dimensional, activities involving search breadth and depth. In this study, we show that local search and nonlocal search are balanced by jointly considering the breadth and depth of geographic search, and that the optimal balance depends on industry dynamism. Using a sample from two industry clusters in China, we find positive relationships between relative local search depth, relative nonlocal search breadth, and the product innovation of cluster firms. Relative local search depth and relative nonlocal search breadth contribute more to product innovation in stable industries than in dynamic industries.