MODELING AND SIMULATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE GROWTH PROCESS AMONG NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTED INNOVATION NETWORK

Abstract

Against the background of the distributed innovation network, collaborative innovation among new energy technology firms is the most crucial network link. The process of collaborative R&D involves significant data exchange and knowledge management across firm boundaries. Moreover, the context(refers to the strategic context,the cultural context, the institutional context and the network context) of new energy technology firms in the network and the R&D among these firms massively impact overall knowledge emergence in the network. In order to explore the optimal knowledge growth process among new energy technology firms in the distributed network, the influence of collaborative context and collaborative behavior vis-à-vis knowledge growth was discussed in this study based on the features of multi-agent technology from the perspective of collaborative R&D among the firms. On the basis of a theoretical deduction and empirical test, the model of behavioral interaction among multiple agents was built and the simulation applied to the model via the Netlogo platform. The results show that, in a single cycle, the collaborative context exerts a positive impact on knowledge growth among new energy technology firms. However, certain differences exist. Such as the fact that the promotional effect of knowledge sharing vis-à-vis collaborative behavior on knowledge growth decreases as the difference in knowledge potential among firms in the network decreases,until it disappears. Moreover, when the new energy technology firms with a high knowledge potential cease diffusing knowledge, knowledge growth in the whole network stagnates. If there is no information sharing among new energy technology firms in the network, then the collaboration between them may collapse. Specific asset investment plays a positive role in the promotion of knowledge spillover and knowledge diffusion among the firms, while also facilitating knowledge growth among new energy technology firms and improving collaborative efficiency. Keywords: new energy technology firm, collaborative context,cooperative behavior,multi-agent, knowledge growth