Unpacking Applied Research Outcomes Across Organizational Settings

25.04.2024 12:00 – 13:00

MANAGEMENT BROWN BAG SEMINAR

(jointly with Kaushik Bagchi and Julian Birkinshaw)

ABSTRACT

We examine the suitability of entrepreneurial, academic, and established corporate organizations for origination of applied research projects, focusing on biotech drug discovery. Following prior research that hints at project novelty as a potential contingency, we conducted expert interviews and learned that three novelty dimensions - technology, market application and technology regime – distinctly impact suitability of the originator. In line with priors, empirical tests confirmed that entrepreneurial and academic organizations are more likely to succeed in originating projects with novel technology and/or young technology regime, while established organizations are more successful with mature technology regime projects. Surprisingly, however, established organizations are also more successful with novel market application projects. Ex-post expert interviews and placebo tests point to the differentiating role of underlying business model rather than organizational setting per se. Academic and entrepreneurial biotech organizations that base their business model on selling technology to pharmaceutical companies tend to thrive with technology-related novelty. Pharmaceutical companies that focus on developing and selling the drugs, thrive with market application novelty. We contribute by shedding light on the business model as an antecedent at applied research stage and a more nuanced perspective on the effectiveness of different organizational settings for (novel) applied research projects.

Lieu

Bâtiment: Uni Mail

Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve 40
1205 Geneva

Room M 3383, 3rd floor

entrée libre