UC Irvine

This study explains how new science-based knowledge is adopted by diverse organizations, which over time creates the conditions for emergence of a new organizational community. I focus on the role of technological systems in emergence of a science-based community. A technological system is defined as regional sources of knowledge and competence that develop and diffuse technical and scientific knowledge in emerging fields of science. I argue that technological systems enhance the visibility of new science and novel technology, promote resource spillovers, assist identity construction, and attract entrepreneurs to apply the new technology to new business opportunities. As a result, many organizations originating in separate existing communities increasingly become involved in developing and commercializing a new technology, which over time, creates the nucleus for new community emergence.

Focusing on emergence of a nanotechnology community in the U.S. between 1959 and 2004, I investigate that technological systems can emerge through scientific collaboration; size of technological systems can foster emergence of de novo organizations dedicated to the new knowledge; and technological systems can reinforce the knowledge flow between universities and industries to facilitate emergence of a new community.

First, I contend that scientific collaboration, defined as co-authorship based on new scientific knowledge, can lead to the emergence of technological-system formation. Specifically, it is found that intensity and heterogeneity of scientific collaboration speeds up the formation of technological systems. Second, the role of technological systems in community creation is discussed, arguing that size of technological systems, specified into depth (i.e. the number of components) and breadth (i.e. the number of subsystems), has impacts on community creation. The estimation results show that both depth and breadth increase the likelihood of de novo foundings and population differentiation. Last, knowledge flow between universities and industries is specified into knowledge streaking (collaboration ties) and knowledge leaking (citation ties). The estimation results reveal that knowledge streaking and inflow of knowledge leaking are positively related to the founding rate of new firms and the rate of population differentiation. Also, the relation between the inflow of knowledge leaking and community creation is reinforced by research centers.