Empirical Study on the Relationship Between External Knowledge Sourcing, Technological Innovation and Firm Performance)

From the knowledge-based view of the firm, knowledge is strategically the most significant resource. The aim of our research is to examine the role of technological innovation in the relationship between knowledge sourcing-external knowledge acquisition especially and firm performance. Using a sample of 169 Chinese firms, the relationships between the above factors are tested by the methods of exploring factors analysis and multi-dimensional linear regression. Results suggest that external knowledge acquisition has not only a direct impact on firm performance, but also an indirect contribution to firm performance through the mediating effect of technological innovation.