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  • 2020
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Engineering Serendipity: When Does Knowledge Sharing Lead to Knowledge Production?

By: Jacqueline N. Lane, Ina Ganguli, Patrick Gaule, Eva C. Guinan and Karim R. Lakhani
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:49
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Abstract

We investigate how knowledge similarity between two individuals is systematically related to the likelihood that a serendipitous encounter results in knowledge production. We conduct a natural field experiment at a medical research symposium, where we exogenously varied opportunities for face-to-face encounters among 15,817 scientist-pairs. Our data include direct observations of interaction patterns collected using sociometric badges, and detailed, longitudinal data on the scientists’ post-symposium publication records over six years. We find that interacting scientists acquire and create more knowledge when they share some overlapping research interests, but are less likely to cite each other’s work when they are from similar fields. Our findings reveal both collaborative and competitive effects of knowledge similarity on knowledge production outcomes.

Keywords

Cognitive Similarity; Knowledge Creation; Knowledge Sharing; Knowledge Dissemination; Relationships

Citation

Lane, Jacqueline N., Ina Ganguli, Patrick Gaule, Eva C. Guinan, and Karim R. Lakhani. "Engineering Serendipity: When Does Knowledge Sharing Lead to Knowledge Production?" Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 20-058, November 2019. (Revised July 2020.)
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About The Author

Karim R. Lakhani

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

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    Consuming Contests: Outcome Uncertainty and Spectator Demand for Contest-based Entertainment

    By: Patrick J. Ferguson and Karim R. Lakhani
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    Learning with People Like Me: The Role of Age-Similar Peers on Online Business Course Engagement

    By: Laura R. Huber, Jacqueline N. Lane and Karim R. Lakhani
More from the Authors
  • Threadless: The Renewal of an Online Community By: Shane Greenstein, Karim Lakhani and Christian Godwin
  • Consuming Contests: Outcome Uncertainty and Spectator Demand for Contest-based Entertainment By: Patrick J. Ferguson and Karim R. Lakhani
  • Learning with People Like Me: The Role of Age-Similar Peers on Online Business Course Engagement By: Laura R. Huber, Jacqueline N. Lane and Karim R. Lakhani
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