Research on the influence of complementary assets on the synergistic innovation of platform enterprises: An analysis of the mediating roles of network orchestration capabilities

doi:10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2025.09.012

Abstract

Abstract: Synergistic innovation is a key way for platform enterprises to create value, and at the same time, the development of platform enterprises is highly dependent on external resources. Existing studies have focused on issues such as platform enterprises′ monopoly by means of market, but have paid little attention to their resource characteristics and the influencing factors of their synergistic innovation. This paper introduced the network orchestration theory, extended the previous research to the platform enterprise, which is the sponsored orchestration provider, identified its orchestration characteristics and orchestration capability dimensions, clarified the relationship between complementary assets and synergistic innovation, and discussed the mediating role of network orchestration capabilities (knowledge mobility, innovation appropriability and network stability). Through the questionnaire survey, the empirical results showed that (1) complementary assets positively affect the synergistic innovation of platform enterprises; (2) complementary assets positively affect knowledge mobility, innovation appropriability and network stability; and (3) knowledge mobility, innovation appropriability and network stability play a partial mediating role in the relationship between complementary assets and synergistic innovation of platform enterprises. The research results will provide a new theoretical perspective for platform enterprise innovation, enrich the research on the influencing factors of platform enterprise innovation, promote the research progress of network orchestration theory, and provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for platform enterprises to effectively carry out synergistic innovation.

Key words: platform firm, network orchestration theory, complementary assets, synergistic innovation

Wang Tao, Zhao Xiying, He Kaiping, Wang Xin, Wang Yu. Research on the influence of complementary assets on the synergistic innovation of platform enterprises: An analysis of the mediating roles of network orchestration capabilities[J]. Science Research Management, 2025, 46(9): 117-125.

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Research on the influence of complementary assets on the synergistic innovation of platform enterprises: An analysis of the mediating roles of network orchestration capabilities

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