Technological diversification, technology portfolio properties, and R&D productivity

Abstract

This study aims to examine the differential effect of technological diversification on research and development (R&D) productivity based on the qualitative properties of technology portfolios (i.e., the direction of technological diversification). Using the U.S. patent database from 1980 to 2010, we divided overall technological diversification into related and unrelated technological diversification; furthermore, the two potential moderating factors of technology portfolio centrality and R&D consistency were tested across the different types of technological diversification. The notable findings are as follows: First, technology portfolio centrality has a positive moderating effect that is more pronounced as the degree of technological diversification increases. Second, R&D consistency has a positive and linear moderating effect. Third, the positive (negative) effect of technological diversification is more pronounced under related (unrelated) technological diversification. Consequently, firms can better utilize the R&D-productivity-enhancing effect of technological diversification by considering both the current degree of technological diversification and the properties of their technology portfolios.