Article
Research on the Knowledge-Sharing Incentive of the
Cross-Boundary Alliance Symbiotic System
Xiaoxing Zhang , Changyuan Gao * and Shuchen Zhang
Citation: Zhang, X.; Gao, C.; Zhang,
S. Research on the Knowledge-
Sharing Incentive of the
Cross-Boundary Alliance Symbiotic
System. Sustainability 2021, 13, 10432.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810432
Academic Editors: João Carlos de
Oliveira Matias and Paolo Renna
Received: 26 July 2021
Accepted: 14 September 2021
Published: 18 September 2021
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4.0/).
School of Economics and Management, Harbin University of Science and Technology, Harbin 150080, China;
zhangxiaoxing2010@126.com (X.Z.); zhangshuchen@hrbust.edu.cn (S.Z.)
* Correspondence: gaocy2002@126.com
Abstract:
The rise of the cross-boundary alliance as a new organizational model profoundly affects
innovation development. The incentive mode of knowledge-sharing among cross-boundary alliance
members from the perspective of symbiosis is the key to improving the efficiency of knowledge-
sharing and promoting the alliance’s sustainable development. Due to the interdisciplinary nature
of knowledge and information asymmetry among alliance members, knowledge-sharing is prone
to opportunistic behavior, which greatly impacts cross- boundary innovation cooperation. The
symbiotic system of the cross-boundary alliance is constructed based on the analysis of symbiosis
among alliance members to solve these problems. In this research study, the principal–agent theory
is used to describe the expected benefits and the related constraints of knowledge-sharing partners.
Moreover, an incentive model of knowledge-sharing in the cross-boundary alliance is established.
By solving the model, the agent’s sharing intention and the principal’s reward incentive coefficient
are obtained, which provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of the optimal incentive scheme
of knowledge-sharing in the alliance. The results show that the knowledge potential difference,
knowledge transmission efficiency, knowledge transformation, innovation effort, and the symbiotic
environment will directly affect the knowledge transfer level of the alliance. In this research study, a
theoretical research framework of the cross-boundary alliance symbiotic system linked by knowledge-
sharing is constructed. The incentive model of knowledge-sharing is established especially on the
basis of fully considering the internal and external factors of knowledge-sharing. This research
study has provided some innovation in the theoretical system and method improvement, and
has guaranteed the efficient integration, utilization, and innovation of knowledge resources in the
cross-boundary alliance.
Keywords:
cross-boundary alliance; symbiotic system; knowledge-sharing incentive; principal agent
1. Introduction
Knowledge-sharing arrangements are an essential part of the innovation process as
they help enterprises acquire technological capabilities, shorten development time, and
spread risk and cost [
1
]. With the deep integration of the new generation of information
technology and the real economy, the collaborative cooperation between organizations
across industrial boundaries has become a new normal of business [
2
]. More and more
enterprises are no longer limited to using their existing technology and knowledge but by
participating in cross-field, cross-industry, and cross-department cooperation, are able to
establish cross-boundary alliances [
3
]. The construction of cross-boundary alliances can
accelerate heterogeneous knowledge-sharing and transfer activities, as well as promote
new products and services to realize value added [
4
]. The cross-boundary alliance can be
regarded as having a mutually beneficial and symbiotic organizational form [
5
]. Under the
joint action of collaborative symbiosis among alliance members, alliance incentives, and
guidance measures [
6
], the continuous sharing of alliance knowledge will directly affect
the cross-boundary innovation efficiency.
Sustainability 2021, 13, 10432. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810432 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
