Specialized knowledge search and value co-creation: the role of innovation openness

Purpose Explore how specialized knowledge search affects value co-creation in innovation ecosystems, focusing on the moderating effect of innovation openness to provide management insights for companies involved. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the knowledge-based theory, we construct a theoretical model to explore the impact of specialized knowledge search on value co-creation from scientific and market dimensions, and the moderating role of innovation openness (including innovation cooperation breadth and depth) in the process. Maturity scales were used to measure the variables. Three hundred and sixty-nine valid questionnaires were distributed to the target population, and finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 to draw conclusions. Findings It was found that science-based knowledge search has an inverted U-shaped effect on value co-creation; market-based knowledge search has a significant positive effect on value co-creation. Innovation cooperation breadth and depth have a significant moderating effect on the inverted U-shaped relationship between science-based knowledge search and value co-creation. Innovation cooperation breadth positively moderates the positive effect of market-based knowledge search and value co-creation, while innovation cooperation depth negatively moderates the positive effect of market-based knowledge search and value co-creation. Originality/value The research conclusions reveal the influencing mechanism between science-based knowledge search, market-based knowledge search and value co-creation, providing useful enlightenment for enterprises to improve innovation ability through multi-dimensional knowledge search and realize value co-creation in innovation ecosystems.