How do networks affect knowledge generation for drug development?

This paper builds upon the intense and ongoing debate on whether and under which conditions network structures characterized by closure or structural holes support knowledge generation. In contrast to most of the existing literature we take the interplay between network structure and actor diversity in terms of actors' knowledge domains into account. Our empirical analysis uses a unique dataset of investigator teams in clinical trials and their publication activities. Our preliminary results do not suggest a clear-cut association between bridging structural holes and trial related publication activities. While network closure within investigator teams may negatively affect publication outcomes, closure acts as an enabling factor for the interpretation and application of diverse knowledge within investigator teams which supports the emergence of trial related publications. These findings have important implications for managers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry with respect to the composition of investigators teams as well as for the emerging concept of translation research intended to promote knowledge generation and innovative activities in these industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]