Dusting Off the Knowledge Shelves: Recombinant Lag and the Technological Value of Inventions

Abstract

Whereas knowledge recombination research tends to focus on original knowledge component attributes and their recombinant value implications, we contribute to an emerging literature stream on knowledge reuse trajectories, investigating the temporal dimension of reuse by introducing the concept of recombinant lag, that is, the time that components have remained unused. Relying on organizational learning theory, we emphasize that it is important to consider not only the frequency of reuse but also the recency of reuse. Our core argument is that recent reuse of knowledge components can trigger a rejuvenation effect that influences the value of resulting inventions. Analyzing 21,117 fuel cell patent families, we find an unexpected U-shaped relationship between recombinant lag and the value of inventions, which is moderated by frequency of reuse. Conducting post hoc exploratory data analyses, we advance the concept of dormant components (i.e., valuable components that have remained unused prolongedly) as a potential explanation for this unexpected U-shaped pattern. Moreover, collecting and analyzing data on a second sample in the wind energy industry, we provide first indications for the generalizability of these unexpected findings. We contribute to a richer understanding of reuse trajectories, highlighting that next to the magnitude of reuse information flows, that is, information flows that are generated when components are reused, the timing of creation of these information flows shapes the value of subsequent recombination activities. We also contribute to extant research on the temporal dimension of knowledge recombination, pointing to recombinant lag as an important aspect next to component age.