Inventor mobility networks and technological knowledge coupling: the moderating role of dynamic capabilities

Purpose Grounded in social network theory, this study aims to investigate how directed inventor mobility networks influence firms’ technological knowledge coupling (TKC) and examines the moderating role of dynamic capabilities. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 276 Chinese listed biopharmaceutical firms over the period 2003–2022, this study uses a fixed-effects regression model to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings This study yields three key findings. First, firms’ in-degree centrality in inventor mobility networks enhances both complementary and substitutive technological knowledge coupling. Second, out-degree centrality reduces both types of technological knowledge coupling. Third, dynamic capabilities moderate these relationships by strengthening the positive effect of in-degree centrality and attenuating the negative effect of out-degree centrality. Originality/value This study advances the TKC literature by introducing a directed inventor mobility network perspective and disentangling the asymmetric effects of inventor inflows and outflows. By integrating dynamic capabilities, it offers a more nuanced explanation of how human capital mobility shapes firms’ knowledge recombination processes.