|
|
|
| The Effects of Structure Hole on Firm′s Dual Innovation from the Perspective of Double-layer Embeddness |
| Yao Yanhong,Gong Yu |
| (School of Business Administration, Hunan University, Changsha 410000, China) |
|
|
|
Abstract In the era of knowledge economy, enterprises gradually change from "closed innovation" to "open innovation", and the innovation network established by cooperation becomes an important way for enterprises to share knowledge resources and realize value acquisition.It has been pointed out that the innovation activities of enterprises are embedded in both collaborative networks formed by social relationships of R&D cooperation and knowledge networks formed by knowledge combination, and these network structural characteristics influence knowledge transfer and knowledge combination of enterprises, which in turn have complex effects on innovation performance.However, although the literature has confirmed the close connection between double-layer network structural features and enterprise innovation, the mechanism of the role of double-layer network structural holes and enterprise innovation activities is still unclear in academia.On the one hand, some scholars believe that network structure holes can provide social capital and bring information control advantages for enterprises, which are beneficial to enterprise innovation; on the other hand, some scholars point out that network structure holes reduce the frequency of communication among individuals, which is not conducive to the dissemination of tacit knowledge and hinders innovation activities to a certain extent.Then, what exactly is the relationship between double-layer network structure hole and enterprise innovation performance? Are the results different due to different types of innovation? Is there an effective adaptation of the innovation network structure to dual innovation? Do contextual differences also lead to different research findings? All these questions need to be further investigated.Based on this, this paper constructs the mechanism of the role of knowledge network structure hole and synergistic network structure hole on firms' dual innovation performance based on knowledge base theory and social network theory and introduces contextual variables such as strategic flexibility and openness to analyze their moderating roles in the relationship between knowledge network, synergistic network and dual innovation performance.
This study takes listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares as the research sample and follows the following three principles to screen the industries.First, the industries are highly competitive and require continuous technological innovation to ensure their industry status.Second, the industries have the technology and knowledge-intensive characteristics and the intensity of R&D investment is the key to enterprise technological innovation.Third, the industries are more aware of the patent application and protection and have easy access to patent information.The final unbalanced panel data from 2007-2018 (N=559) were obtained for 165 enterprises in China, involving high-tech industries such as computer, communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing, information transmission, software and information technology services, and electrical machinery.In addition, after the Hausman test, this study uses a negative binomial random effects regression model for analysis.
The empirical results show that structural holes in knowledge network are beneficial to a firm′s exploitative innovation performance, but impede a firm′s exploratory innovation performance.Moreover, there are negative correlations between collaboration network structure hole and firm′s ambidextrous innovation.At the same time, the interaction among strategic flexibility, openness and the two-layer network structure hole affects the firms′ ambidextrous innovation, and there are adaptabilities among the variables: "structural holes in knowledge network——openness” promotes exploitative innovation performance, while "structural holes in collaboration network——strategic flexibility" promotes exploratory innovation performance.
This paper combines the knowledge base theory, social network theory, and the research results in the field of dual innovation performance of enterprises.It enriches the research on the relationship between two-tier network structure holes and firm′s dual innovation performance in a specific area.Unlike previous literature, this study finds that the embedding of knowledge networks and collaborative networks has different effects on firm innovation performance, and there is an effective matching relationship between the double-layer network structure hole and organizational context.The findings of this study enrich the research results of open innovation, and network outcome holes, and bring new ideas to solve the disagreement of the relationship between structural holes and corporate innovation.In addition, considering that the adaptation relationship between two-tier network structure and organizational context can have different impacts on the dual innovation activities of firms, managers should combine the characteristics of corporate knowledge and collaborative network structure and organizational strategies to make targeted management decisions.When companies tend to carry out exploitative innovation, they should promote the transfer and utilization of knowledge elements by increasing the degree of openness, to efficiently achieve the improvement of the understanding of existing technologies; while when companies tend to carry out exploratory innovation, they need to strengthen the strategic flexibility to match the high uncertainty of exploratory innovation with the flexible allocation of resources, to make companies boldly break through the current knowledge domain to capture new market opportunities.The companies needs to be more flexible in resource allocation to match the high uncertainty of exploratory innovation and to push them to break through the current knowledge domain to capture new market opportunities.
|
|
Received: 25 January 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
| [1] GRECO M, GRIMALDI M， CRICELLI L.Open innovation actions and innovation performance: a literature review of European empirical evidence[J].European Journal of Innovation Management, 2015, 18(2): 150-171.[2] AHUJA G.Collaboration networks，structural holes，and innovation: a longitudinal study[J].Administrative Science Quarterly,2000, 45(3): 425-455.[3] YAYAVARAM S, CHEN W.Changes in firm knowledge couplings and firm innovation performance: the moderating role of technological complexity[J].Strategic Management Journal, 2015, 36(3):377-396.[4] 刘岩,蔡虹,向希尧.企业技术知识基础多元度对创新绩效的影响——基于中国电子信息企业的实证分析[J].科研管理,2015,36(5):1-9.[5] 徐露允, 曾德明, 李健.知识网络中心势、知识多元化对企业二元式创新绩效的影响[J].管理学报, 2017, 14(2): 221-228.[6] 李健,余悦.合作网络结构洞、知识网络凝聚性与探索式创新绩效:基于我国汽车产业的实证研究[J].南开管理评论,2018,21(6):121-130.[7] 王彦博,任慧.知识网络与合作网络嵌入式的企业技术创新网络的解耦研究[J].科技管理研究,2016,36(1):12-16,21.[8] 汤超颖,伊丽娜.知识基础与合作网络对企业知识创新的交互影响研究[J].科学学与科学技术管理,2017,38(4):85-95.[9] 刘岩,蔡虹.企业知识基础网络结构与技术创新绩效的关系——基于中国电子信息行业的实证分析[J].系统管理学报,2012,21(5):655-661.[10] 孙笑明,王静雪,王成军,等.研发者专利合作网络中结构洞变化对企业创新能力的影响[J].科技进步与对策,2018,35(2):115-122.[11] WANG C, RODAN S, FRUIN M, et al.Knowledge networks, collaboration networks, and exploratory innovation[J].Academy of Management Journal, 2014, 57(2):484-514.[12] GUAN J, LIU N.Exploitative and exploratory innovations in knowledge network and collaboration network: a patent analysis in the technological field of nano-energy[J].Research Policy, 2016, 45(1):97-112.[13] FANG E, LEE J, PALMATIER R W.If it takes a village to foster innovation, success depends on the neighbors:the effects of global and ego networks on new product launches[J].Journal of Marketing Research, 2016, 53:319-337.[14] QUINTANE E, CARNABUCI G.How do brokers broker?tertius gaudens, tertius iungens, and the temporality of structural holes[J].Organization Science, 2016, 27(6): 1343-1360.[15] TORTORIELLO M.The social underpinnings of absorptive capacity: the moderaing effects of structural holes on innovation generation based on external knowledge[J].Strategic Management Journal, 2015, 36(4): 586-597.[16] OBSTFELD D. Knowledge creation, social networks and innovation: an integrative study[C]//Academy of Management Proceedings. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management, 2002, 2002(1): H1-H6.[17] ROWLEY T, BEHRENS D, KRACKHARD D.Redundant governance structures:an analysis of structural and relational embeddedness in the steel and semiconductor industries[J].Strategic Management Journal, 2000, 21(3): 369-386.[18] 杨卓尔, 高山行, 曾楠.战略柔性对探索性创新与应用性创新的影响——环境不确定性的调节作用[J].科研管理, 2016, 37(1):1-10.[19] 魏杰,张卓.创新开放度与企业绩效:基于外向型开放创新的视角[J].科技管理研究,2018,38(9):9-16.[20] LOMI A, ROBINS G, TRANMER M.Introduction to multilevel social networks[J].Social Networks, 2016, 100(44): 266-268.[21] HADJIMANOLIS A.Barriers to innovation for SMEs in a small less developed country (Cyprus)[J].Technovation, 1999, 19(9): 561-570.[22] 范群林,邵云飞,尹守军.企业内外部协同创新网络形成机制——基于中国东方汽轮机有限公司的案例研究[J].科学学研究,2014,32(10):1569-1579.[23] BRENNECKE J, RANK O.The firm's knowledge network and the transfer of advice among corporate inventors——a multilevel network study[J].Research Policy, 2017, 46(4): 768-783.[24] CARNABUCI G.The ecology of technological progress: How symbiosis and competition affect the growth of technology domains[J].Social Forces, 2010, 88(5): 2163-2187.[25] BURT R S.Structural holes[M].Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992: 302-305.[26] MARCH J G.Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning[J].Organization Science, 1991, 2(1):71-87.[27] JANSEN J J P, VAN DEN BOSCH F A J, VOLBERDA H W.Exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation, and performance:effects of organizational antecedents and environmental moderators[J].Management science, 2006, 52(11): 1661-1674.[28] CARNABUCI G，BRUGGEMAN J.Knowledge specialization，knowledge brokerage and the uneven growth of technology domains[J].Social Forces, 2009, 88(2): 607-641.[29] COHEN W M, LEVINTHAL D A.Adsorptive capacity: a new perspective on learning[J].Administrative Science Quarterly, 1990, 35(1):128-152.[30] 汤超颖,李美智,张桂阳.中国创新型企业内外部研发合作网络对组织二元学习平衡的影响[J].科学学与科学技术管理,2018,39(5):76-88.[31] 刘丹, 闫长乐.协同创新网络结构与机理研究[J].管理世界, 2013(12):1-4.[32] KILDUFF M, BRASS D J.Organizational social network research:core ideas and key debates[J].Academy of Management Annals, 2010, 4(1): 317-357.[33] 马鸿佳，马楠，郭海.关系质量、关系学习与双元创新[J].科学学研究，2017,35(6) :917 -930.[34] HANNAH VAN S K , REINHILDE V.Researcher networks and productivity[R].Aalborg: Dime-Druid Academy Winter Conference 2011 on Comwell Rebild Bakker.2011:22.[35] SANCHEZ R.Preparing for an uncertain future: managing organizations for strategic flexibility[J].International Studies of Management & Organization, 1997, 27(6):71-94.[36] ZHOU K Z, WU F.Technological capability, strategic flexibility, and product innovation[J].Strategic Management Journal, 2010, 31(5): 547-561.[37] KURT D, HULLAND J.Aggressive marketing strategy following equity offerings and firm value: the role of relative strategic flexibility[J].Journal of Marketing, 2013, 77(77):57-74.[38] BRIGITTE G.Open innovation, networking, and business model dynamics:the two sides[J].Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2014,3(2):1-20.[39] SISODIYA S R, JOHNSON J L,GRGOIRE Y. Inbound open innovation for enhanced performance: enablers and opportunities[J].Industrial Marketing Management, 2013, 42(5): 836-849.[40] SHIU E C.The inconvenient truth of the relationship between open innovation activities and innovation performance[J].Management Decision, 2015,53(3): 625 -647.[41] 吕一博,施萧萧,冀若楠.开放式创新对企业渐进性创新能力的影响研究[J].科学学研究,2017,35(2):289-301.[42] GILSING V, NOOTEBOOM B, VANHAVERBEKE W, et al.Network embeddedness and the exploration of novel technologies: technological distance, betweenness centrality and density[J].Research Policy, 2008, 37(10):1717-1731.[43] 王建, 胡珑瑛, 马涛.吸收能力、开放度与创新平衡模式的选择——基于上市公司的实证研究[J].科学学研究, 2015, 33(2): 304-312.[44] 张炜,赵娟,童欣欣.动态知识管理能力与创新绩效关系研究:创新开放度调节效应[J].科技进步与对策,2015,32(5):131-135. |
|
|
|
