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Developing capabilities in new ventures: a knowledge management approach

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Knowledge Management Research & Practice

Abstract

On the basis of a knowledge management perspective, this paper expands the literature on new ventures’ capabilities by considering how these firms fill knowledge gaps and develop the technological, marketing, management, and ICT capabilities they need to compete. In particular, this paper investigates the role of networks in these dynamics. Although new technology-based firms have great potential to introduce innovative products into the market, they might suffer from more critical knowledge gaps and capability weaknesses than established firms. The results of a quantitative investigation of an original data set of more than 400 Italian new ventures specializing in high-tech industries show that these firms acquire knowledge to support their capability growth mainly through the management of intense relations with multiple external sources of knowledge. In addition, capability development is supported by the variety of founders’ industry experience and the presence of young graduates among the founding team.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Management, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Marco Bettiol, Valentina De Marchi & Eleonora Di Maria

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  1. Marco Bettiol
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  2. Valentina De Marchi
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  3. Eleonora Di Maria
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Correspondence to Eleonora Di Maria.

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Bettiol, M., De Marchi, V. & Di Maria, E. Developing capabilities in new ventures: a knowledge management approach. Knowl Manage Res Pract 14, 186–194 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2015.16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/kmrp.2015.16

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