The effect of alliance structure on knowledge innovation performance in R&D alliance: Organizational learning as a mediator

This study examines the effect of alliance structure on knowledge innovation performance in R&D alliance with respect to organizational learning and its mediated roles. By introducing the SCP (Structure-Conduct-Performance) paradigm, the relationship among alliance structure, organizational learning and knowledge innovation performance in R&D alliance are discussed. With a sample of 232 collaborative projects in China, structural model analysis shows that alliance structure are positively association with STI learning and DUI learning, while STI learning and DUI learning are positively association with knowledge innovation performance, while the direct relationship between alliance structure and knowledge innovation performance is not confirmed, which indicate that STI learning and DUI learning are the mediators between alliance structure and knowledge innovation performance in R&D alliance. The results also suggest that partners in R&D alliance should foster deep interaction, partnership and bi-directional information sharing to promote STI learning and DUI learning and finally improve knowledge innovation performance.