Knowledge search and innovation legitimacy: the moderating role of promotion- versus prevention-focused effectuation principles.

This study aims to discuss the relationships between knowledge search and innovation legitimacy and the moderation of promotion- and prevention-focused effectuation principles. Grounded in knowledge-based view (KBV) and effectuation theory, hierarchical multiple regression is employed to test the theoretical model on the basis of survey data of 212 technology firms in China. Findings reveal that exploitative knowledge search has a positive effect on innovation legitimacy, whereas exploratory knowledge search has a negative effect on innovation legitimacy. Moreover, prevention-focused effectuation principles strengthen the relationship between exploitative knowledge search and innovation legitimacy but weaken the relationship between exploratory knowledge search and innovation legitimacy. The moderating effects of promotion-focused effectuation principles are the opposite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]