Research Seminar by Shaker A. Zahra
The Chair of Entrepreneurship is delighted to welcome Professor Shaker A. Zahra (University of Minnesota) to D-MTEC for his research talk entitled "Industry knowledge, prior industry experience and new venture survival."
When: Wednesday, March 14th – 15:30 to 17:00
Location: WEV H 326
Title: “Industry knowledge, prior industry experience and new venture survival.”
Abstract:
Striving to achieve survival, new ventures can learn vicariously and benefit from the technological knowledge that in their industries is made public through patents even without directly transacting with other firms or joining their networks. This industry public technological knowledge (hereafter industry knowledge) varies on its volume and breadth, which would affect new ventures’ learning. We theorize that the higher the volume and breadth of this knowledge, the higher a venture’s likelihood of survival. Further, we propose that the distribution of prior related industry experience across organizational members and the variety of such prior related experience determine new ventures’ ability to benefit from industry knowledge. Specifically, the concentration and variety of this experience will enhance the positive effects of the volume of industry knowledge on new venture survival. Conversely, concentration and variety are expected to dampen the positive effects of the breadth of industry knowledge on new venture survival. Most of our theoretical predictions are empirically supported using data from 613 independent Swedish new ventures founded between 2003 and 2006 in medium-high and high-technology industries. Our study contributes to the literature on new venture survival, organizational learning, and prior industry experience.
Co-authors: Giuseppe Criaco (University Rotterdam), Lucia Naldi (Jönköping University), Bárbara Larrañeta (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)
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About Shaker A Zahra: Prof. Zahra is a leading authority in the field of entrepreneurship research. He is the Department Chair, Robert E. Buuck Chair of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Strategy in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He is also the Academic Director of the Gary S. Holmes Entrepreneurship Center. Prof. Zahra's research examins -- amongst others -- entrepreneurial knowledge and capability development in global industries, international entrepreneurship & capability development, and the role of corporate entrepreneurship in knowledge creation, absorption and conversion.
Note: Our guest speaker is also happy to meet MTEC researchers. Please contact: if you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss your own research and get feedback.