The main purpose of this study is to explain the combined effects of host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity on the innovative foreign knowledge inflows of international high-tech small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).,Data are drawn from the two largest and most authoritative German Federal Government census-databases of biotech and nanotech SMEs. A structured survey questionnaire was administered and regression analysis adopted.,This study demonstrates weak network ties in the host country and developing absorptive capacity produce a combined effect that positively influences international high-tech SMEs innovative foreign knowledge inflows. Also, host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity when considered separately, each respectively, positively influence innovative foreign knowledge inflows.,The results help inform key personnel in international high-tech SMEs about the relevance of host country weak network ties and absorptive capacity for foreign knowledge inflows. In addition, the results help policymakers and think-tanks to promote tailored advice and guidance e.g. those policymakers implementing the EU Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan.,There is a recent call in the literature to combine network theory and absorptive capacity theory to better explain knowledge creation in the context of international high-tech SMEs knowledge sourcing. By addressing this call, the study provides a more refined and comprehensive account of international high-tech SMEs innovative foreign knowledge inflows.

中文翻译：

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国际高科技中小企业创新性外国知识流入：东道国网络联系薄弱和吸收能力的影响

这项研究的主要目的是解释东道国网络联系薄弱和吸收能力对国际高科技中小企业创新外国知识流入的综合影响。数据来自两者生物技术和纳米技术中小型企业最大，最权威的德国联邦政府人口普查数据库。进行了结构化调查问卷，并进行了回归分析。该研究表明，东道国网络联系薄弱，吸收能力的提高产生了综合影响，对国际高科技中小企业的创新性外国知识流入产生了积极影响。另外，分别考虑东道国的薄弱网络联系和吸收能力，分别对创新型外国知识流入产生积极影响。结果有助于向国际高科技中小企业的主要人员介绍东道国网络联系薄弱和吸收外国知识的能力。此外，研究结果还有助于政策制定者和智囊团推广量身定制的建议和指导，例如那些实施《欧盟企业家2020行动计划》的决策者。最近有文献呼吁将网络理论和吸收能力理论结合起来，以更好地解释知识创造。在国际高科技中小企业知识采购的背景下。通过解决这个问题，该研究为国际高科技中小企业创新的外国知识流入提供了更为完善和全面的描述。