The impact of inter-firm trust on ambidextrous innovation

Abstract

Abstract: Inter-firm trust plays a key role in knowledge transfer and innovation. Ambidextrous innovation reflects how well the firm can balance exploitative versus explorative innovation. However, the relationship between inter-firm trust and ambidextrous innovation still remains uncertain. Based on 115 enterprises from 60 high-tech industries in Hubei province, this study tries to examine the relationship between inter-firm trust and ambidextrous innovation. We find that inter-firm trust does not significantly affect ambidextrous innovation, but it can be significantly positive when market orientation, resource slack and human capital is high.

Key words: inter-firm trust, ambidextrous innovation, market orientation, resource slack, human capital

CLC Number:

F272.3

Yang Zhi, Guo Yanping, Zhang Pengcheng. The impact of inter-firm trust on ambidextrous innovation[J]. Science Research Management, 2015, 36(9): 80-88.

References

[1] Styles C., Ambler T. The coexistence of transaction and relational marketing: Insights from the Chinese business context[J]. Industrial Marketing Management, 2003, 32(8):633-642. [2] Moran P. Structural vs. Relational embeddedness: Social capital and managerial performance[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2005, 26(12):1129-1151. [3] 顾新,郭耀煌,李久平.社会资本及其在知识链中的作用[J].科研管理,2003,24(5):44-48.Gu Xin, Guo Yaohuang, Li Jiuping. Social capital and its role in knowledge chain[J]. Science Research Management, 2003, 24(5): 44-48. [4] McEvily B., Perrone V., Zaheer A. Trust as an organizing principle[J]. Organization Science, 2003,14(1):91-103. [5] Poppo L., Zhou K. Z., Sungmin R. Alternative origins to international trust: Interdependence perspective on the shadow of the past and the shadow of the future[J]. Organization Science, 2008, 19(1):39-55. [6] Nahapiet J., Ghoshal S. Social capital, intellectual capital, and the organizational advantage[J]. Academy of Management Review, 1998, 23(2):242-266. [7] Noordhoff C., Kyriakopoulos K., Moorman C., Pauwels P., Dellaert B. The bright side and dark side of embedded ties in business-to-business innovation[J]. Journal of Marketing, 2011, 75:34-52. [8] March J. G. Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning[J]. Organization Science, 1991, 2(1):71-87. [9] Benner M. J., Tushman M. L. Process management and technological innovation: A longitudinal study of the photography and paint industries[J]. Administration Science Quarterly, 2002(47):676-706. [10] 李忆,司有和.探索式创新、利用式创新与绩效:战略和环境的影响[J].南开管理评论,2008,11(5):4-12.Li Yi, Si Youhe. Exploratory innovation, exploitative innovation, and performance: Influence of business strategies and environment[J]. Nankai Business Review, 2008, 11(5):4-12. [11] He Z. L., Wong P. K. Exploration vs. exploitation: An empirical test of the ambidexterity hypothesis[J]. Organization Science, 2004, 15(4):481-494. [12] Levinthal D. A., March J. G. The myopia of learning[J]. Strategic Management Journal, Winter Special Issue, 1993, 14(s2):95-112. [13] Gibson C. B., Birkinshaw J. The antecedents, consequences, and mediating role of organizational ambidexterity[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2004, 47(2):209-226. [14] Smith W. K., Tushman M. L. Managing strategic contradictions: A top management model for managing innovation streams[J]. Organization Science, 2005, 16(5):522-536. [15] Menguc B., Auh S. The asymmetric moderating role of market orientation on the ambidexterity-Firm performance relationship for prospectors and defenders[J]. Industrial Marketing Management, 2008, 37(4):455-470. [16] 李自杰,李毅,郑艺.信任对知识获取的影响机制[J].管理世界,2010(8):179-180.Li Zijie, Li Yi, Zheng Yi. The mechanism of the effect of trust on the acquisition of knowledge[J]. Management World, 2010(8):179-180. [17] 邢子政,黄瑞华,汪忠.联盟合作中的知识流失风险与知识保护:信任的调节作用研究[J]. 南开管理评论,2008,11(5):27-30.Xing Zizheng, Huang Ruihua,Wang Zhong. An experiment study on knowledge expropriation with knowledge protection: The moderating of trust[J]. Nankai Business Review,2008,11(5):27-30. [18] Uzzi B. Social structure and competition in interfirm networks: The paradox of embeddedness[J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1997, 42(1): 35-67. [19] Gu F. F., Hung K., Tse D. K. When does Guanxi matter? Issues of capitalization and its dark sides[J]. Journal of Marketing, 2008, 72 (4):12~28. [20] Sorenson O., Waguespack D. M. Social structure and exchange: Self-confirming dynamics in hollywood[J]. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2006, 51(4):560-589. [21] Narver J. C., Slater S. F. The effect of a market orientation on business profitability[J]. Journal of Marketing, 1990, 54:20-35. [22] Kohli A. K., Jaworski B. J. Market orientation: The construct, research propositions, and managerial implications[J]. Journal of Marketing, 1990, 54:1-18. [23] O'Regan N., Ghobadian A. Innovation in SMEs: The impact of strategic orientation and environmental perceptions[J]. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2005, 54(2):81-97. [24] Quinn T. M. Articular cartilage-matrix assembly, mediation of chondrocyte metabolism, and response to compression[D]. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1996. [25] Zheng Zhou K., Yim C., Tse D. K. The effects of strategic orientations on technology and market-based breakthrough innovation[J]. Journal of Marketing, 2005, 69(2):42-60. [26] Bourgeois III L. On the measurement of organizational slack[J]. Academy of Management Review, 1981, 6(1):29-39. [27] Morrison P. D., Roberts J. H., Von Hippel E. Determinants of user innovation and innovation sharing in a local market[J]. Management Science, 2000, 46(12):1513-1527. [28] Marvel M. R., Lumpkin G. Technology entrepreneurs' human capital and its effects on innovation radicalness[J]. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 2007, 11(6):807-828. [29] Katila R., Ahuja G. Something old, something new: A longitudinal study of search behavior and new product introduction[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2002, 45:1183-1194. [30] 蒋天颖,王俊江.智力资本、组织学习与企业创新绩效的关系[J].科研管理,2009,30(4): 44-50.Jiang Tianying, Wang Junjiang. Analysis on the relationships among intellectual capital, organizational learning, and performance of enterprise innovation[J]. Science Research Management,2009,30(4):44-50. [31] Podsakoff P. M., Mackenzie S. B., Jeong-Yeon L., Podsakoff N. P. Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies[J]. Journal of Applied Psychology, 2003, 88(5):879-903. [32] Datta D. K., Guthrie J. P., Wright P. M. Human resource management and labor productivity: does industry matter[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2005, 48(1):135-145. [33] Armstrong J. S., Overton T. S. Estimating nonresponse bias in mail surveys[J]. Journal of Marketing Research, 1977, 14:396-402. [34] Molina-Morales F. X., Martínez-Fernández M. T. Too much love in the neighborhood can hurt: How an excess of intensity and trust in relationships may produce negative effects on firms[J]. Strategic Management Journal, 2009, 30(9):1013-1023. [35] Farrell M. A., Oczkowski E. An analysis of the MKTOR and MARKOR measures of market orientation: An australian perspective[J]. Marketing Bulletin, 1997, 8:30-40. [36] Voss G. B., Sirdeshmukh D., Voss Z. G. The effects of slack resources and environmental threat on product exploration and exploitation[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2008, 51(1):147-164. [37] Subramaniam M., Youndt M. A. The influence of intellectual capital on the types of innovative capabilities[J]. Academy of Management Journal, 2005, 48(3):450-463. [38] Carmines E. G., McIver J. P. Analyzing models with unobserved variables: Analysis of covariance structures[J]. Social measurement: Current issues, 1981: 65-115. [39] Tabachnick B. G., Fidell L. S. Using multivariate statistics (5th ed.)[M]. New york: Allyn and Bacon, 2007. [40] Fornell C., Larcker D. F. Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error[J]. Journal of Marketing Research, 1981, 18:39-50. [41] Zhang Y., Li H. Y., Hitt M. A., Cui G. R&D intensity and international joint venture performance in an emerging market: Moderating effects of market focus and ownership structure[J]. Journal of International Business Studies, 2007, 38(6):944-960.