Fostering technological innovation value in rail megaprojects: Powers from the knowledge-collaboration network

While megaprojects constitute complex sociotechnical ecosystems demanding systematic analysis of organizational collaboration and knowledge flows, integrated approaches combining collaboration and knowledge networks remain underdeveloped in the literature. Grounded in network embeddedness and resource-based theories, this study conceptualizes the knowledge-collaboration network in the technological innovation activities of megaprojects and investigates its powers on fostering technological innovation value. Through an empirical analysis of 287 rail megaprojects in China using patent and project information, we reveal three critical (1) a knowledge network with high degree of centrality often reduces technological innovation value (β ¼ −3.398, p < 0.001); (2) structural holes in the collaboration network exhibit an inverted U-shaped relationship with technological innovation value (β ¼ 3.331, p < 0.001; β ¼ −5.340, p < 0.001); and (3) cross-domain and direct collaborations significantly enhance technological innovation value (β ¼ 0.529, p < 0.05; β ¼ 1.036, p < 0.001; β ¼ 0.270, p < 0.1), with its advantage increasing as innovation team expand (β ¼ 0.059, p < 0.01; β ¼ 0.126, p < 0.01; β ¼ 0.018, p < 0.01). This study contributes by (1) introducing a patent-based multidimensional framework to quantitatively assess technological innovation value, (2) uncovering the intricate interactions between knowledge and collaboration networks in technological innovation activities, and (3) offering managerial insights to optimize technological innovation strategies in megaprojects.