Enhance Innovation Performance Research Articles

Learning-by-exporting: The strategic role of organizational innovation

Drawing on organizational learning theory, this study examines the strategic role of organizational innovation in learning to innovate by exporting, commonly known as ‘learning-by-exporting’ (LBE). We explain that mere knowledge access is distinct from the enactment of knowledge, and this matters for LBE. Despite growing interest in how firms enhance product innovation performance through exporting and thus, LBE, previous literature has remained silent on the role played by strategically induced changes to organizational routines when learning. We hypothesize that some exporters will introduce organizational innovations – aimed at changing internal practices and routines – which then allows them to enact new knowledge and enhance innovation performance following engagement in export markets. We study our hypotheses, using panel data of 1489 medium-sized manufacturing firms taken from the Mannheim Innovation Panel, the German contribution to the Community Innovation Survey (CIS). We find LBE effects solely amongst firms which adopted organizational innovations during the studied period. Further, our findings revealed that the extent and type of organizational innovation markedly influences LBE. Our study uses a novel context to explain that it is the presence and extent of organizational innovations which influence firms’ abilities to enhance product innovation performance following international engagement through exports.

The interplay between urban expansion, human capital accumulation and innovation performance in Chinese cities

ABSTRACT The impact of spatial expansion on innovation performance has garnered widespread attention. This study establishes a two-sector equilibrium model to elucidate the transmission mechanism among urban expansion, human capital and innovation performance. Our findings indicate that the synergy between compact expansion and human capital enhances innovation performance. Drawing from a sample of 281 cities spanning 2005–2018, we observe that Chinese cities demonstrate compact expansion patterns, and human capital fosters the synergy effect of innovation. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of compact expansion and human capital formation is more pronounced in cities with larger populations, higher income levels and stronger regional status. These results offer both theoretical contributions and practical insights for shaping more effective urbanisation patterns and enhancing innovation capacity.

How digital transformation enhances corporate innovation performance: The mediating roles of big data capabilities and organizational agility

Digital transformation has emerged as a key driver of high-quality enterprise development and an essential tool in forging an innovation-driven paradigm.Existing studies fail to delve into the specific mechanisms of their impact on firms' innovation performance, and views on their impact are divergent. Some studies suggest that digital transformation can enhance innovation performance, while others point out that it may have negative impacts, and cannot clearly answer how big data capabilities and organisational agility play a role in the digital transformation process. Therefore, based on dynamic capability theory and systems engineering theory, this study adopts the logical framework of "strategy-behaviour-performance" to systematically explore the process of digital transformation that enhances firms' innovation performance through the enhancement of big data capability and organisational agility. By empirically analysing the survey data of 476 manufacturing enterprises in China, the study reveals the chain-mediated effects of big data capability and organisational agility, and confirms the key roles of both in the transformation process. The findings suggest that digital transformation significantly improves firms' innovation performance, and that the dual mediating effects of big data capability and organisational agility are important links in its influencing mechanism. These findings not only provide empirical support for the theoretical model of digital transformation, but also provide practical guidance for enterprises to formulate strategies and optimise resource allocation in the digital era. We suggest that enterprises should strengthen the cultivation of big data capabilities and organisational agility while promoting digital transformation to better adapt to and lead market changes.

Enhancing Innovation Performance through Business Process Innovation: The Strategic Role of External Collaboration

Enhancing Innovation Performance through Business Process Innovation: The Strategic Role of External Collaboration

The Effect of a High-Performance Work System on Organizational Innovation Performance: The Mediating Effect of Employees’ Intrinsic Motivation and the Moderating Effect of Person–Organization Fit

The organizational system is directly associated with overall organizational management and sustainability. The reason is that the organizational system has a strong relationship with organizational performance. One of the most important functions of the organizational system is the high-performance work system, which is the system that manages the employees so that they can maximize their functions, this study focuses on the importance of a high-performance work system in order to achieve organizational goals and increase performance. In particular, a high-performance work system is directly related to innovation performance that secures the competitive advantage of organizations. Based on such background, this study focused on how a high-performance system improves innovation performance. Unlike previous studies, rather than simply focusing on variables exploration or main effect verification, we provided and verified the research model related to the process by which innovation performance occurs. Specifically, this study aimed to investigate whether high-performance work systems in organizations enhance employees’ innovation performance and examined the mediating role of employees’ intrinsic motivation in enhancing innovation performance. In addition, we investigated the moderating role of employee person–organization fit in high-performance work systems and employee intrinsic ation directly. To validate this model, we collected data from 309 members of Chinese SMEs. We found that high-performance work systems positively affect employees’ innovation performance through a person–organization fit and that employees’ person–organization fit significantly moderates the relationship between high-performance work systems and employees’ intrinsic motivation directly. Overall, this study expands the scope of research on the enhancement of employee innovation performance and provides a theoretical basis for related research, which is also a contribution of this study.

Manager's entrepreneurial experience and firm innovation

The sample of this study comprises listed companies in China from 2012 to 2022 to examine the relationship between managers’ entrepreneurial experience and company innovation outcomes. Managers’ entrepreneurial experience positively influences a firm's innovation performance by driving strategic change. This experience leads to more adventurous behaviors and strategic changes, thereby enhancing innovation performance

The role of cooperative R&D in innovation performance of SMEs: evidence from South Korean materials, parts, and equipment firms

ABSTRACT Can cooperative R&D between SMEs and other organisations enhance innovation performance? This study utilises a mixed-methods approach to examine the impact of voluntary cooperative R&D and gain an improved understanding of the mechanisms that facilitate innovation outcomes. The analysis uses a firm-level secondary dataset from South Korea’s M-P-E industry for the period between 2005 and 2020, as well as in-depth expert interviews. The findings indicate that collaboration between SMEs, universities, and government research institutes (GRI)s positively impacts innovation performance. The expert interviews confirm that partnerships with academic institutions and research organisations help bridge the gap between creating key innovations and their commercialisation. The results also show that government R&D support facilitated collaborations between suppliers and buyers, which in turn led to improved innovation outcomes. This implies that providing R&D subsidies to SMEs could be a useful strategy for governments seeking to bolster their technological innovation. Policy implications are further discussed in the conclusion.

Exploring the Relationship between Open Innovation and Innovation Performance in Big Data Environment: The Moderating Effects of Innovation Expropriability

In the era of big data, the industry environment is complex and volatile, and enterprises need to innovate their business models by creating innovative value networks and reconstructing transaction systems to avoid being eroded in the process of global economic transformation. The traditional closed innovation processes are no longer deemed suitable for advancing firm innovation. Instead, open innovation has become a pivotal strategic choice in the quest to foster innovative developments. This study builds upon the paradox of open innovation (OI) in the age of big data, and introduces the innovation expropriability theory. Utilizing survey data from high-tech industrial park firms in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, it empirically examines the influence of open innovation on firm innovation performance (FIP). Furthermore, it explores the independent and joint moderating effects of rival absorptive capacity (RAC) and appropriability regimes (ARs). The findings reveal that OI significantly improves FIP. The effect of OI on FIP is positively moderated by ARs, while the independent moderating effect of RAC is not significant. However, a joint moderating effect is observed between RAC and ARs. Further investigation reveals that the moderating role of RAC depends on the presence of ARs, indicating a matching relationship between RAC and ARs. This research holds significant implications for firms in implementing open innovation strategies and ensuring effective intellectual property protection to enhance innovation performance in the era of big data.

Leveraging Digital Capabilities for Enhancing Innovation Performance of Cross-border E-commerce Enterprises

Leveraging Digital Capabilities for Enhancing Innovation Performance of Cross-border E-commerce Enterprises

Leveraging supplier orientation for innovation: Exploring the impact of supply management innovativeness and innovation partnership

AbstractIndustry 4.0 has created new opportunities for enterprise innovation by leveraging emerging technologies. External innovation represents a valuable source of ideas and knowledge for internal innovation, and enterprises are increasingly leveraging their supplier relationships to gain a competitive advantage. Some researchers suggest that suppliers enhance the effectiveness and outcomes of lean innovation. To deepen our understanding of the relationship between supplier orientation and innovation outcomes, this study explores the mechanisms through which supplier orientation contributes to enhancing innovation performance, with a specific focus on the role of supplier orientation in improving supply management innovativeness and innovation partnerships. Survey data from 209 Chinese firms engaged in innovation practices was analyzed using a hierarchical regression based on resource dependency theory. Results reveal that supplier orientation positively influences supply management innovativeness and innovation partnerships. Supply management innovativeness and buyer–supplier innovation partnerships both contribute to improved innovation performance. Our findings suggest that the buyer–supplier innovation partnership plays a moderating role in the relationship between supply management innovativeness and innovation performance. These insights provide a valuable basis for developing innovative strategies and managing inter‐firm relationships, emphasizing the importance of supplier relationship management practices in enhancing firms' competitiveness and performance by leveraging external resources and knowledge.

Strategic Human Resource Management Practices and Organizational Innovation: Evidence from Small and Medium Enterprises in India

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the strategic human resource management practices and organizational innovation: evidence from small and medium enterprises in India. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Research on SHRM practices and organizational innovation in Indian SMEs indicates a positive relationship between SHRM adoption and innovation outcomes. Training initiatives are particularly vital, enhancing innovation capabilities by building human capital. Additionally, fostering a supportive organizational culture promotes creativity and experimentation. Aligning HRM strategies with organizational goals and promoting continuous learning further enhances innovation performance. Overall, SHRM practices play a critical role in driving innovation and competitive advantage in Indian SMEs (Agarwal & Yadav, 2018). Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource-based view (RBV) theory, social exchange theory & dynamic capabilities theory may be used to anchor future studies on the strategic human resource management practices and organizational innovation: evidence from small and medium enterprises in India. Develop tailored HRM training programs for SMEs in India, focusing on building capabilities related to creativity, problem-solving, and innovation among employees. Advocate for government policies that promote investment in human capital development and innovation capabilities among SMEs.

How relative technological size affects innovation performance of cross-border technology M&A enterprises: a configuration perspective

ABSTRACT Cross-border technology mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are critical strategic decisions for emerging multinational enterprises (EMNEs) seeking to gain competitive advantage. While previous research has examined the net effect of relative technological size on the innovation performance of EMNEs, their theoretical hypotheses and empirical results have been inconsistent. These studies fall short in explaining how relative technological size enhances innovation performance under conditions of acquirer knowledge absorptive capacity (comprising knowledge base and R&D investment) and macro-institutional contexts (comprising host country institutional quality and diplomatic relations). Utilising a sample of 44 listed firms in mainland China from 2008 to 2018, and employing the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach, our research reveals the relationship between different configurations of these influencing factors and the innovation performance of EMNEs. Our findings suggest that the mechanism by which relative technological size affects innovation performance is contingent upon the conditions of knowledge absorptive capacity and macro-institutional contexts.

Strategic innovation system and firm innovation performance: empirical analysis based on dynamic capabilities and knowledge base view

ABSTRACT The accelerating pace of consumer and market demand poses a substantial challenge for firms aiming to develop knowledge-intensive strategies to address demand gaps. These strategies are designed to establish and maintain competitive advantage by innovatively leveraging their competencies and capabilities. This study employs the dynamic capabilities and knowledge capabilities views to investigate the impact of strategic innovation systems (SIS) on firm innovation performance (FIP). To achieve this objective, the study analyzes the integration of knowledge into the innovation process to assess the influence of strategic systems on innovation performance. The research hypotheses were evaluated using a quantitative research design involving 111 SMEs in China. The findings reveal a negative impact of both SIS and distinct competencies (DC) on firm innovation performance. Furthermore, SIS demonstrated a positive influence on product innovation. Additionally, the mediation analysis showed an indirect effect of SIS on firm innovation performance through product innovation. Moreover, DC and externalities displayed mediating effects. These findings contribute to the literature on strategic systems and innovation performance by providing practical recommendations for managers seeking to enhance innovation performance.

Enhancing Innovation Performance in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region: Evidence, Proposals, and Improvement Strategies from the Case of Brazil.

Enhancing Innovation Performance in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Region: Evidence, Proposals, and Improvement Strategies from the Case of Brazil.

The nexus of knowledge management processes and innovation performance: the moderates of big data analytical

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to identify how knowledge management processes impact innovation performance in the Jordanian medical sector (private hospitals) as well as identify how big data analytics moderates this performance.Design/methodology/approachTwo hundred ninety-one questionnaires were analyzed for the purpose of this study. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to test convergence validity, discriminant validity and reliability. In order to analyze the data, bootstrapping was used.FindingsThe empirical results showed that all knowledge management processes are statistically significant in influencing innovation performance. Furthermore, big data analytics moderates the relationship between knowledge management processes and innovation performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this cross-sectional study are limited to one country and one industry due to methodological limitations, and the results represent a snapshot at a particular point in time.Originality/valueJordan's medical leaders will benefit from this study, since it emphasizes the importance of knowledge management processes to enhance innovation performance, especially given the importance of big data analytics in the field, increasing innovation capabilities in the medical field, thereby increasing innovation levels.

The impact of industry-university-research projects on biopharmaceutical companies' innovation performance: moderating roles of government subsidies for innovation.

Innovation holds paramount importance for both nations and businesses. This article presents a panel regression model designed to assess the fixed effects of industry-university-research (IUR) cooperation projects on innovation performance. Furthermore, it examines the moderating impact of government innovation subsidies by utilizing data spanning from 2007 to 2021, encompassing 326 listed Chinese biopharmaceutical firms. Our findings reveal that industry-university-research-cooperation projects have the potential to significantly enhance innovation performance across three key metrics: input, output, and quality for firms. The presence of government innovation subsidies as a moderator is found to have a positive influence on IUR-cooperation projects and their innovative inputs. However, it can yield adverse effects on IUR-cooperation projects with respect to innovation outputs and quality. The insights presented in this paper introduce innovative recommendations for elevating corporate innovation quality and refining the policies governing IUR cooperation.

International R&D and MNCs' innovation performance: An integrated approach

We propose an integrated framework establishing the environmental and organizational contingencies under which the international dispersion of R&D activities benefits innovation performance in multinational firms. We suggest that R&D dispersion is more likely to enhance innovation performance – the smaller economies of scale and scope in R&D, the greater the technological strength of R&D locations and the stronger intra-firm knowledge integration. Employing a panel dataset of 175 R&D intensive US, EU, and Japanese firms, our findings provide support for this framework and suggest that these contingencies need to be taken into account simultaneously. Technology diversification strengthens rather than weakens the relationship between international R&D and performance, which we attribute to the positive influence of recombining knowledge sourced across diverse locations.

Creative self-efficacy – a double-edged sword: the moderating role of mindfulness between deliberate practice, creative self-efficacy, and innovation performance

PurposeDeliberate practice, an iterative process, has garnered increasing attention of researchers and practitioners in entrepreneurship and business domains in the recent years. However, research studies are on rise that found its positive correlates with superior performance. Nevertheless, whether the relationship always holds positive is an intriguing question that wedged the authors’ attention to probe the causal mechanism that might scrutinize the association otherwise. The purpose of the study is to build on the social cognitive theory and the attribution theory to project that deliberate practice deteriorates innovation performance due to augmented creative self-efficacy (CSE). While, individuals who draw on their mindfulness can overcome the harmful effects of increased CSE on innovation performance, subsequently translating deliberate practice into enhanced innovation performance through CSE.Design/methodology/approachThe authors gather data from 312 entrepreneurs in the small and medium enterprises using a time-lagged research design and analyze the results using SmartPLS (v 4.0).FindingsThe findings reveal that deliberate practice significantly affects CSE of entrepreneurs. Besides, deliberate practice negatively influences innovation performance through CSE. In addition, the study finds that mindfulness significantly moderates the relationships between CSE and innovation performance and deliberate practice and innovation performance through CSE.Originality/valueThis is the first study that examines a moderated mediated model of CSE as a deteriorating agent and mindfulness as a coping mechanism between deliberate practice and innovation performance of entrepreneurs. The study highlights several essential theoretical and practical implications.

Can Customer Participation Promote Supplier Green Innovation in the Social Media Environment? The Mediating Role of Green Dynamic Capability and the Moderating Role of Social Media Use

ABSTRACT Purpose The existing literature has emphasized the significance of guiding customers’ participation in innovation as a means for supplier enterprises to obtain innovation resources and enhance innovation performance. However, in the context of enterprise green innovation, there remains a need to investigate the impact of different forms of customer participation on supplier green innovation. Additionally, with the advent of Internet technology, numerous B2B enterprises are utilizing social media to engage with customers and foster enterprise innovation. However, the role of social media use in the relationship between customer participation and supplier green innovation has not been fully answered. Therefore, this study aims to explore the influence mechanism of customer participation on supplier enterprise green innovation in the social media environment, and to test the moderating effect of social media use. Methodology/Approach To achieve the research goals, a total of 500 survey questionnaires were distributed to the Chinese manufacturing enterprises industry in five province, and 338 valid questionnaires were collected. Data was analyzed using PLS-SEM modeling. Findings Among the three forms of customer participation, interactive information provision and online participation creation have a positive impact on enterprise green innovation. Compared with interactive information provision, the impact of online participation creation on green innovation is stronger, while user independent innovation has no significant impact on green innovation. In addition, in terms of mediating effect, green dynamic capability had a partial mediating role in the relationship between customer interactive information provision and green innovation and online participation creation and green innovation. In terms of the moderating effect, enterprise social media use had a positive moderating role in the relationship between interactive information provision and green dynamic capability and online participation creation and green dynamic capability. Originality/Value/Contribution This research made some important contributions. Firstly, customer participation in the social media environment is divided into three dimensions: interactive information provision, online participation creation and user independent innovation. The influence mechanism of customer participation on green innovation is further studied, and relevant literature on customer participation in innovation is enriched. Secondly, this paper empirically examines the mediating role of green dynamic capability in the relationship between customer participation and green innovation, which has received little attention in previous studies. Thirdly, the moderating effect of social media use on the influence mechanism of customer participation on green innovation is considered for the first time. On the one hand, the application of social media in the field of customer participation in innovation is promoted, and on the other hand, the understanding of the boundary mechanism between customer participation and green innovation is enhanced. Practical implications Enterprises should attach importance to the popularization and application of social media, and actively improve the functions of social media, guiding customers to participate in the process of enterprise green innovation by using social media platform, especially guiding customers to interactive information provision and online participation creation. In addition, in the process of guiding customer participation, enterprises should strive to cultivate their green dynamic capability, so as to make it a bridge connecting customer participation and enterprise green innovation.

The relative values of big data analytics versus traditional marketing analytics to firm innovation: An empirical study

Although big data analytics (BDA) does enhance innovation performance, it remains unclear whether BDA contributes more or less than traditional marketing analytics (TMA) to firm innovation. This study tests hypotheses based on data collected from multiple sources by using four-wave survey and archival data from 201 firms. The results indicate that BDA has a stronger positive effect on new product development (NPD) performance than TMA, over time. However, TMA, when coupled with exploitative innovation strategy, has a stronger positive effect on NPD performance than if coupled with exploratory innovation strategy. Conversely, BDA, when coupled with exploratory innovation strategy, has a stronger positive effect on NPD performance than if coupled with exploitative innovation strategy.