How knowledge network embedding context activates firms′ ambidextrous innovation?——A research based on the QCA method

XU Chen-Qian Zhong-Hui; CAI You-Hua

PDF(1711 KB)

Science Research Management ›› 2021, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (6) : 94-101.

How knowledge network embedding context activates firms′ ambidextrous innovation?——A research based on the QCA method

Ou Zhonghui¹, Cai Youhua², Hu Huifang²

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Firm′s high innovation performance not only depends on the investment of innovation resources, but also needs the support of corresponding innovation environment. Due to the differences in purpose and characteristics between incremental innovation and breakthrough innovation, these two types of innovation have different requirements on the input of heterogeneous knowledge resources and the innovation environment. Therefore, to promote the high-quality development of innovation, it is necessary to refine the research on the impact of innovation environment on different types of innovation. Different factors in the innovation environment do not necessarily have a causal relationship with ambidextrous innovation, but the complex linkage between multiple factors may lead to high breakthrough innovation or high incremental innovation respectively.
Based on the idea of set theory, this study developed a model of ambidextrous innovation influence mechanism which includes knowledge network embedding, knowledge resource management and organizational routine. Knowledge network embedding include network relationship, network location, and network size. Knowledge resource management include knowledge search, knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. Organizational routine includes explorative routine and exploitative routine. Through collecting data of knowledge network embedding, knowledge resource management and organizational routine, this study conducted a qualitative comparative analysis of fuzzy sets which has the advantage on the research of asymmetric relations among 171 sample enterprises from innovation cluster, and finally obtained five antecedent conditional configurations of high breakthrough innovation and high incremental innovation respectively.
The results revealed that there are two types of configuration to achieve high breakthrough innovation in the context of knowledge network embedding. Type 1 emphasizes the combination of knowledge search and knowledge creation strategies. Type 2 emphasizes that under the embedding condition of knowledge network, the following configurations can all promote high breakthrough innovation: the combination of explorative routine and knowledge creation, the combination of exploitative routine and knowledge search, the synergistic effect of network governance mechanism, knowledge search and knowledge creation under the absence of knowledge sharing condition. There are two types of configuration to achieve high incremental innovation in the context of knowledge network embedding too. Type 1 emphasizes the combination of knowledge search and knowledge sharing strategies. Type 2 emphasizes that under the embedding condition of knowledge network, the following configurations can all promote high incremental innovation: the combination of exploitative routine and knowledge sharing, the combination of explorative routine and knowledge search, the synergistic effect of network governance mechanism, knowledge search and knowledge sharing under the absence of knowledge creation condition.
The results of research provide a new perspective for the interpretation of firm′s ambidextrous innovation, it also provides multiple guiding paths for scientific and technological management departments to guide firm′s ambidextrous innovation.

Key words

knowledge network embedding / organizational routine / knowledge resource management / ambidextrous innovation

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

Ou Zhonghui, Cai Youhua, Hu Huifang. How knowledge network embedding context activates firms′ ambidextrous innovation?——A research based on the QCA method[J]. Science Research Management. 2021, 42(6): 94-101

References

[1]LAVIE D, KANG J, ROSENKOPF L. Balance within and across domains:The performance implications of exploration and exploitation in alliance [J].Organization Science,2011,22(6):1517-1538.

[2]BENNER M J, TUSHMAN M L. Exploitation, exploration, and process management: The productivity dilemma revisited[J]. Academy of Management Review, 2003, 28(2).

[3]HANSEN M T. The search-transfer problem: The role of weak ties in sharing knowledge across organization subunits[J]. Administrative Science Quarterly,1999,44(1）：82-111

[4]PRESUTTI M,BOARI C,MAJOCCHI A. The importance of proximity for the start-ups' knowledge acquisition and exploitation[J]. Journal of Small Business Management, 2011, 49(3): 361-389.

[5]魏江,徐蕾.知识网络双重嵌入、知识整合与集群企业创新能力[J].管理科学学报,2014,17(2):34-48.

WEI Jiang, XU Lei. Dual. Embeddings of knowledge network, knowledge integration, and innovation capabilities of clustered firms[J].Journal of Management Sciences in China, 2014,17(2):34-48.

[6]BATHELT H,MALMBERG A,MASKELL P. Clusters and knowledge: Local buzz, global pipelines and the process of knowledge creation[J]. Progress in Human Geography, 2004, 28(1): 31-56.

[7]吴晓波,彭新敏,丁树全.我国企业外部知识源搜索策略的影响因素[J].科学学研究,2008,26 ( 2):364-372.

WU Xiaobo,PENG Xinmin,DING Shuquan. Chinese firm''s influential factors in search tactics for external knowledge sources[J].Studies in Science of Science,2008,26 ( 2):364-372.

[8]苏道明,吴宗法,刘臣.外部知识搜索及其二元效应对创新绩效的影响[J].科学学与科学技术管理, 2017, 38(8):109-121.

SU Daoming, WU Zongfa, LIU Chen. External knowledge search and its ambidexterity effect on innovation performance[J].Science of Science and Management of S.& T. , 2017, 38(8):109-121.

[9]MORTE T H. Knowledge networks: Explaining effective knowledge sharing in multiunit companies[J].Organization Science,2002,13(3):232-248.

[10]王娟茹, 杨瑾. 干系人私人关系、知识共享行为对复杂产品研发绩效的影响[J].科研管理,2014, 35(8):16-24.

WANG Juanru, YANG Jin. The impact of stakeholder's personal relationships and knowledge sharing behavior on performance of complex product development [J]. Science Research Management,2014, 35(8):16-24.

[11]蒋天颖,丛海彬,王峥燕等.集群企业网络嵌入对技术创新的影响--基于知识的视角[J]. 科研管理, 2014, 35(11):26-34.

JIANG Tianying, CONG Haibin, WANG Zhengyan, ZHANG Yiqing. The influence of network embedding on technology innovation of cluster enterprisesbased on knowledge view[J]. Science Research Management, 2014, 35(11):26-34.

[12]ZOLLOM,REUER J J,SINGH H. Inter organizational routines and performance in strategic alliances [J].Organization Science,2002,13(6):701-713.

[13]HEIMERIKS K H,SCHIJVEN M, GATES S. Manifestations of higher order routines: The underlying mechanisms of deliberate learning in the context of post acquisition integration[J].Academy of Management Journal,2012,55(3):93-94．

[14]Hofman E,Halman J I M, Looy BV. Do Design Rules Facilitate or Com-plicate Architectural Innovation in Inn-ovation Alliance Net-works?[J].Research Policy,2016, 45(7): 1436-1448.

[15]成泷,党兴华,蔡俊亚.组织耦合、网络惯例对突破式创新的影响研究[J].软科学,2018,32(3):47-51.

CHENG Long, DANG Xinghua, CAI Junya. Impact of organizational coupling and network routines on breakthrough innovations[J]. Soft Science,2018,32(3):47-51.

[16]PENTLAND B, et a1.Dynamics of organizational routines: A generative model[J].Journal of Management Studies,2012,49(8):1484-1508.

[17]Ranjay G. Network location and learning: The influence of network resources and firm capabilities on alliance formation[J].Strategic Management Journal,1999(20):397–420.

[18]张建宇. 企业探索性创新与开发性创新的资源基础其匹配性研究[J]. 管理评论, 2014, 26(11):88-98.

ZHANG Jianyu. A study on the resource-based view of explorative innovation and exploitative innovation of the firm and its fitness[J]. Management Review, 2014, 26(11):88-98.

[19]任利成, 吴翠花, 万威武. 基于联盟网络的知识创造与服务创新互动关系研究[J]. 科学学与科学技术管理, 2007, 28(8):54-58.

REN Licheng, WU Cuihua, WAN Weiwu. A study on co-interaction between knowledge creation and service innovation based on alliance network[J]. Science of Science and Management of S·& T·, 2007, 28(8):54-58.

[20]FISS P C. Building better causal theories: A fuzzy set approach to typologies in organization research[J]. Academy of Management Journal,2011,54:393-420.

[21]孙永磊,陈劲,宋晶.文化情境差异下双元惯例的作用研究[J].科学学研究,2015,33(9):1424-1431.

SUN Yonglei, CHEN Jin, SONG Jing. Impact of ambidextrous routines on cooperative innovation performance in different culture context[J]. Studies in Science of Science,2015,33(9):1424-1431.

[22]蔡猷花,黄娟,王丽丽.产学研网络惯例、知识资源管理与创新绩效的关系[J].技术经济, 2017,36(6): 40-45.

CAI Youhua, HUANG Juan, WANG Lili. Relationship among Network Routine of Industry-university Cooperation, Knowledge Collaboration and Innovation Performance[J]. Technology Economics, 2017,36(6): 40-45.

[23]LAURSEN K, SALTER A. Open for innovation: the role of openness in explaining innovation performance among UK manufacturing firms[J].Strategic Management Journal,2006,27(2): 131-150.

[24]LAM A, LAMBERMONT J P. Knowledge sharing in organizational contexts: a motivation-based perspective[J].Journal of knowledge management,2010,14(1):51-66.

[25]SMITH K G, COLLINS C J, CLARK K D. Existing knowledge, knowledge creation capability, and the rate of new product introduction in high-technology firms[J].Academy of Management Journal, 2005, 48(2): 346-357.

[26] JANSEN J J, Van den Bosch F A, VOLBERDA H W. Exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation and performance: Effects of organizational antecedents and environmental moderators[J].Management Science,2006,57:351-363.

[27]焦豪.双元型组织竞争优势的构建路径:基于动态能力理论的实证研究[J].管理世界,2011,11:76-92

JIAO Hao. The Road to Establishing the Competitive Advantage of the Dual Type of Organizations: Founded on the a Case Study Theory of the Dynamic Capabilities[J]. Management World,2011,11:76-92

[28]宋锟泰,张正堂,赵李晶.时间压力对员工双元创新行为的影响机制[J].经济管理,2019,5:72-88

SONG Kuntai, ZHANG Zhengtang, ZHAO Lijing. An analysis of the effect of time pressure at work on employees' ambidextrous innovative behavior[J]. Business Management Journal,2019,5:72-88

[29]SUBRAMANIAN M，YOUNDT M A. The influence of intellectual capital on the type of innovative capabilities [J].Academy of Management Journal,2005,48(3):450-463

[30]杜运周,贾良定.组态视角与定性比较分析(QCA):管理学研究的一条新道路[J]. 管理世界, 2017,6:155-167.

DU Yunzhou, JIA Liangding. Configuration perspective and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA): a new approach to management research [J]. Management World, 2017,6:155-167.

[31]RAGIN C C. Redesigning social inquiry: Fuzzy sets and beyond[M].Chicago: University of Chicago Press,2008.

[32]张明,陈伟宏,蓝海林.中国企业“凭什么”完全并购境外高新技术企业--基于94个案例的模糊集定性比较分析(fsQCA) [J].中国工业经济,2019(4):117-135.

ZHANG Ming, CHEN Weihong, LAN Hailin. Why can Chinese enterprises completely acquire foreign high-tech enterprises? A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) based on 94 cases [J].China Industrial Economics,2019(4):117-135.