A study on the relationship between open innovation, absorptive capacity and firm's innovation performance

Zhang Zhengang, Chen Zhiming, Li Yunjian

Science Research Management ›› 2015, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (3) : 49-56.

Science Research Management ›› 2015, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (3) : 49-56.

A study on the relationship between open innovation, absorptive capacity and firm's innovation performance

  • Zhang Zhengang, Chen Zhiming, Li Yunjian
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Currently, open innovation has become a research frontier in the field of international enterprise technology innovation management, but related theoretical and empirical research about the relationship between open innovation, absorptive capacity and innovation performance is still insufficient. Based on the survey study of 119 enterprises in Southern China, the paper aims to explore this issue. Some interesting findings appear. First, both of inbound open innovation and outbound open innovation have significant positive effect on innovation performance. Second, realized absorptive capacity plays a complete mediating role on the relationship between inbound open innovation and innovation performance, as well as on the relationship between outbound open innovation and innovation performance. Third, potential absorptive capacity negatively moderates the impact of inbound open innovation on innovation performance. On the contrary, it positively moderates the impact of outbound open innovation on innovation performance.

Key words

inbound open innovation / outbound open innovation / potential absorptive capacity / realized absorption ability / innovation performance

Cite this article

Download Citations
Zhang Zhengang, Chen Zhiming, Li Yunjian. A study on the relationship between open innovation, absorptive capacity and firm's innovation performance[J]. Science Research Management. 2015, 36(3): 49-56

References

[1] Tödtling F, Lehner P, Kaufmann A. Do different types of innovation rely on specific kinds of knowledge interactions? [J]. Technovation, 2009, 29(1): 59-71. [2] Lichtenthaler U, Ernst H. External technology commercialization in large firms:results of a quantitative benchmarking study [J]. R&D Management, 2007, 37(5): 383-397. [3] Chesbrough H, Bogers M. Explicating open innovation:Clarifying an emerging paradigm for understanding innovation [J]. New Frontiers in Open Innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Forthcoming, 2014. [4] Chesbrough H. Openinnovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology [M].Harvard Business School Press, 2003. [5] Chesbrough H, Appleyard M M. Open innovation and strategy [J]. California Management Review, 2007, 50(1): 57-76. [6] 许振亮,郭晓川. 国际技术创新研究前沿领域的知识图谱分析——作者共被引网络与聚类分析视角[J]. 科学学研究,2011,29(11):1625-1637. Xu Zhenliang, Guo Xiaochuan. The analysis of research fronts of international technological innovation based on knowledge mapping——The angle of view of the network of author co-cited and cluster analysis[J]. Science Research Management, 2011, 29(11): 1625-1637. [7] Chesbrough H, Crowther A K. Beyond high tech: Early adopters of open innovation in other industries [J]. R&D Management, 2006, 36(3): 229-236. [8] Christensen J F, Olesen M H, Kjr J S. The industrial dynamics of open innovation—Evidence from the transformation of consumer electronics [J]. Research Policy, 2005, 34(10): 1533-1549. [9] Sisodiya S R, Johnson J L, Grégoire Y. Inbound open innovation for enhanced performance: Enablers and opportunities [J]. Industrial Marketing Management, 2013, 42(5): 836-849. [10] Lichtenthaler U. Outbound open innovation and its effect on firm performance: Examining environmental influences [J]. R&D Management, 2009, 39(4): 317-330. [11] Rass M, Dumbach M, Danzinger F, et al. Open innovation and firm performance: The mediating role of social capital [J]. Creativity and Innovation Management, 2013, 22(2):177-193. [12] Ebersberger B, Bloch C, Herstad S J, et al. Open innovation practices and their effect on innovation performance[J]. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 2012, 9(6):1-22. [13] Inauen M, Schenker-Wicki A. The impact of outside-in open innovation on innovation performance [J]. European Journal of Innovation Management, 2011, 14(4): 496-520. [14] Todorova G, Durisin B. Absorptive capacity: Valuing a reconceptualization [J]. Academy of Management Review, 2007, 32(3): 774-786. [15] Escribano A, Fosfuri A, Tribó J A. Managing external knowledge flows: The moderating role of absorptive capacity [J]. Research Policy, 2009, 38(1): 96-105. [16] Spithoven A, Clarysse B, Knockaert M. Building absorptive capacity to organize inbound open innovation in traditional industries [J]. Technovation, 2011, 31(1): 10-21. [17] Zahra S A, George G. Absorptive capacity: A review, reconceptualization, and extension [J]. Academy of Management Review, 2002, 27(2): 185-203. [18] Fosfuri A. The licensing dilemma: Understanding the determinants of the rate of technology licensing [J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2006, 27(12): 1141-1158. [19] Gulati R. Network location and learning:The influence of network resourcesand firm capabilities on alliance formation [J]. Strategic Management Journal, 1999, 20(5): 397-420. [20] Aitamurto T, Lewis S C. Open innovation in digital journalism: Examining the impact of Open APIs at four news organizations [J]. New Media & Society, 2013, 15(2): 314-331. [21] Gassmann O. Opening up the innovation process: Towards an agenda [J]. R&D Management, 2006, 36(3): 223-228. [22] Dahlander L, Gann D.M. How open is innovation? [J]. Research Policy, 2010, 39(6): 699-709. [23] Acha V, Cusmano L. Governance and co-ordination of distribution innovation process: Patterns of R&D co-operation in the upstream petroleum industry [J].Economics of Innovation and New Technology, 2005, 14(1): 1-21. [24] Wynarczyk P, Piperopoulos P, McAdam M. Open innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises: An overview [J]. International Small Business Journal, 2013, 31(3): 240-255. [25] Cohen W M, Levinthal D A. Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation [J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1990, 35(1): 128-152. [26] Liao J W, Harold W, Michael S. Organizational absorptive capacity and responsiveness: An empirical investigation of growth-oriented SMEs [J]. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2003, 28(1): 63-85. [27] Lane P J, Koka B, Pathak S. The reification of absorptive capacity: A critical review and rejuvenation of the construct [J]. Academy of Management Review, 2006, 31(4): 833-863. [28] Hung K P, Chou C. The impact of open innovation on firm performance: The moderating effects of internal R&D and environmental turbulence [J]. Technovation, 2013, 33(10): 368-380. [29] Jansen J J P, Bosch F A J, Volberda H W. Managing potential and realized absorptive capacity: How do organization antecedents matter? [J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2005, 48(6): 999-1015. [30] 钱锡红,杨永福,徐万里. 企业网络位置、吸收能力与创新绩效—一个交互效应模型 [J]. 管理世界, 2010(5):118-129. Qian Xihong, Yang Yongfu, Xu Wanli. Firm network position, absorptive capacity and innovative performance: An interactive effect model [J].Management World, 2010(5): 118-129.

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/