Abstract: Limited empirical research has been done to establish the relative contribution of vertical and horizontal network to performance. Moreover, little is known regarding the interaction relationship among the network, entrepreneurial orientation and the external environment to the innovation performance. Based on the theoretical logic of complexity adaptive system (CAS), we integrated all of these above factors to general a holistic framework and analyzed 225 valid samples to empirical test the framework. Here are the main conclusions of the paper: both of vertical and horizontal network quality and quantity have positively effects on firm performance; entrepreneurial orientation positively moderated the relationship between vertical network quality and performance, while negatively moderated the relationship between vertical network quantity and performance; environment turbulent positively moderated the relationship between horizontal network quantity and performance, while has no significantly relationship between horizontal network quality and performance. Theoretical and managerial implications are also provided.

Key words: vertical network, horizontal network, entrepreneurial orientation, environment turbulent, innovation performance