•Inter-organization knowledge search breadth (IKSB) and depth (IKSD) are obtained.•Innovation performance below (IPBA) and above (IPAA) aspirations are identified.•IPBA has a U-shaped relationship with both IKSB and IKSD.•IPAA has an inverted U-shaped association with IKSB and IKSD.•Technical knowledge complexity plays a differentiated role in these relationships. Building on the knowledge search behaviors exhibited by high-tech firms, this study develops a contingency model to explore the relationship between innovation performance feedback and inter-organization knowledge search. The moderating role of technical knowledge complexity is then examined. Utilizing the sample of high-tech firms in China and employing the negative binomial regression model, this study examines the influences of different states of innovation performance feedback (below and above aspirations) on knowledge search breadth and depth. The results show a significant U-shaped relationship between innovation performance below aspiration and the breadth and depth of inter-organization knowledge search. Moreover, there exists a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between innovation performance above aspiration and the search breadth and depth. Furthermore, the technical knowledge complexity enhances the U-shaped association of innovation performance below aspiration and knowledge search breadth, while strengthening the inverted U-shaped influence of innovation performance above aspiration and knowledge search depth.