Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5103929 Research Policy 2016 15 Pages PDF
Abstract
Our empirical study considers the impact of geography on post-acquisition performance for technological acquisitions. Relying on insights from the transaction costs and international business literatures we suggest that both geographic distance and borders influence post-acquisition innovative performance. Examining the patent portfolios of 3683 high tech acquirers in the period 2000-2012 we support a 'liability of distance' hypothesis and show that every 1000 km between the target and the acquirer costs as much as 19 lost patent applications. We do not find support for a 'liability of foreignness' hypothesis, however, but show in fact, that else equal, cross-border deals result in 3.15 additional patent applications. For high tech acquirers we find that 'foreignness' appears, therefore, to be more of an 'asset' than a 'liability'. We find that the lion's share of this is attributable to cultural differences.
Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities Business, Management and Accounting Business and International Management
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