Innovation Performance Research Articles

Understanding competition, cooperation and their interplay in supplier network: implication on manufacturer’s innovation

PurposeA manufacturer with complex end-products can play the “hub firm” role in its supplier network and manage the relationship among its suppliers, but it mostly does not know how to manage suppliers’ coopetitive relationship for improving its innovation. This study aims to investigate the influence of horizontal supplier–supplier (S-S) competition and cooperation in the supplier network on the quantity and quality of manufacturer’s innovation, to unravel the manufacturers’ coopetitive strategic sourcing.Design/methodology/approachThe study conducts negative binomial regression using the data from 130 listed Japanese manufacturers and their first-tier supplier networks as the analysis unit.FindingsThe results indicate that both S-S competition and cooperation have inverted U-shaped effects on manufacturers’ innovation. As to the interplay of S-S competition and cooperation in driving manufacturers’ innovation, the one weakens the other’s inverted U-shaped role. It also shows that simultaneously maintaining moderate cooperation and competition among suppliers is a good choice for manufacturer innovation, and when there is high S-S competition, motivating high cooperation among suppliers is also a way to enhance manufacturers’ innovation. All of the effects are more significant and robust on the innovation quality than the innovation quantity.Originality/valueThis study contributes to linking the dyadic analysis of vertical relationships to the network analysis of horizontal S-S relations and exploring the under-researched interplay between competition and cooperation in driving the ego firm’s innovation. It provides insights to manufacturers’ policymakers on how to strategically manage their supplier networks and S-S coopetition to improve their innovation performance.

How Does Knowledge Coupling Affect Innovation Performance? The Mediation Role of Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation

How Does Knowledge Coupling Affect Innovation Performance? The Mediation Role of Exploratory and Exploitative Innovation

Harnessing Collaborative Innovation: How Knowledge Sharing Drives Performance in Philippine Hardware MSMEs

The study examines the mediating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between collaborative innovation capabilities and innovation performance within hardware companies in the Philippines. It seeks to fill the gap in local research by exploring how collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing practices influence the innovation outcomes of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the hardware sector. A quantitative approach was employed, surveying operational managers from 80 hardware companies in Metro Manila. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess the relationships between collaborative innovation capabilities, knowledge sharing, and innovation performance. The study found that collaborative innovation capabilities have a significant positive effect on innovation performance. Additionally, knowledge sharing acts as an important mediator, enhancing the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in driving innovation outcomes. This study provides valuable insights into the hardware industry in the Philippines, where there is a lack of local research on the dynamics of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation. It offers practical implications for hardware MSMEs, highlighting the importance of fostering collaboration and implementing effective knowledge-sharing systems to drive innovation and maintain competitiveness in a fast-paced market.

Empirical Determinants of Innovation in European Countries: Firm-level Analysis Based on CIS 2018

This study examines the role of perceptions about environmental regulations and their influence on the innovative performance and productivity of firms in Germany, Southern Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe. Utilizing the CDM model for innovative performance and data stemming from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS), we explore the alignment with the Porter hypothesis, which posits that well-designed environmental regulations can stimulate technological innovation and enhance market competitiveness. Our findings present a mixed view: in Germany, positive perceptions about environmental regulations correlate with the initiation of innovation activities, contributing to an increase in labour productivity. This supports the Porter hypothesis, evidencing that regulations can lead to beneficial ‘innovation offsets’ such as reduced resource use and pollution. Conversely, in Southern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe, the perceptions about these regulations on innovation activities are insignificant, with no considerable correlation observed between perceptions about environmental regulations and innovation output. Our findings are crucial for policymakers, environmental regulators, and business leaders aiming to leverage environmental regulations to boost innovation and competitiveness within their regions.

The Impact of Institutional Orientation on Export Performance: Mediating Role of Firm Innovativeness

ABSTRACTIn international marketing research, innovativeness is usually considered as an important element for firms that adopt an export orientation and that wonder about their success in foreign markets. It might help exporters to better ensure their international orientations. This study aims to test the relationship between institutional orientation, innovativeness, and export performance. It also aims to test the mediating effect of innovativeness in the relationship between institutional orientation and export performance. For this reason, a questionnaire was administered to 260 exporting companies. Results show that institutional orientation has an effect on export performance, especially through its dimension “conformity.” They also show that innovativeness can mediate the link between institutional orientation and export performance.

Corporate sustainability commitment in the Middle East and North Africa region: Impact on innovation and firm performance

AbstractThis study examines the effects of corporate sustainability factors (CSFs)—specifically gender diversity, energy practices, and environmental practices—on innovation and their subsequent impact on firm performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By integrating Absorptive Capacity Theory, we explore how these CSFs drive innovation, contributing to broader sustainable development goals. We analyze the impact of innovation on firm performance using the resource‐based view (RBV). Utilizing secondary data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES), we employ a two‐stage instrumental variable regression (IV‐2SLS) to address endogeneity and establish causal relationships. Our findings reveal that stakeholder engagement through gender diversity, energy practices, and environmental practices significantly enhances innovation, which, in turn, drives firm performance. Diverse leadership fosters creativity and innovation, while energy‐efficient and environmentally sustainable practices reduce costs, improve brand reputation, and align with sustainable development goals. These insights underscore essential policy implications for promoting environmental policy, clean production, and sustainable innovation ecosystems. Encouraging MENA firms to engage stakeholders and adopt sustainable practices can drive economic prosperity and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

New challenges in European innovation partnerships: SOEs, POEs and foreign MNEs during crises

AbstractCooperation for innovation, not only enhances the innovative and economic performance of companies but also fosters growth and strengthens the resilience of firms in the realm of innovation activities. In this study, we delve into the cooperative activities of innovative Spanish companies with their European counterparts. We employ six logit models using panel data to scrutinize the impact of ownership on innovation cooperation and the determinants of collaboration across different phases of the business cycle, spanning from 2004 to 2016, which we divide into three sub-periods: the pre-crisis (2004–2007), the crisis (2008–2013), and the recovery (2014–2016). Throughout the businesses cycle, state-owned enterprises are the most prone to engage in cooperative innovation with European partners, while unaffiliated domestic firms are the least prone. Foreign subsidiaries clearly outperform unaffiliated domestic firms and slightly outperform domestic business groups in prosperous times, but do not outperform state-owned enterprises even during crises. The drivers of cooperation for innovation with European partners evolve over time, becoming particularly challenging during crises. The factors influencing cooperation with European universities exhibit distinct characteristics. The results contain policy and management implications.

Unlocking Enterprise Innovation: The Impact of Big Data Analytics and External Network Relationships

Abstract. Innovation drives modern industry and enhances enterprise competitiveness. Despite China's progress, evident by its 14th position in the Global Innovation Index 2020, a gap remains compared to Western developed nations. Enterprises are key to national innovation, especially in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Big data presents new opportunities and challenges for innovation. This study explores how enterprises can leverage big data to improve innovation outcomes, identifying factors that influence this process. Grounded in resource-based and social network theories, the research employs questionnaires to assess big data analytic capabilities, external network relationships, and innovation performance. Using hierarchical regression analysis and reliability tests, findings reveal that foundational and management capabilities of big data significantly impact innovation, while technical capabilities do not. External network relationships partially mediate this effect. The results offer insights for managers on utilizing big data and strengthening external ties to drive innovation and competitive advantage.

How does progressive subsidy reduction affect the innovation and economic performance of new energy vehicle firms?

How does progressive subsidy reduction affect the innovation and economic performance of new energy vehicle firms?

Big Data Analytics and Innovation in the Sustainable Performance of Electronic Waste Reverse Logistics: An Empirical Study in India

Abstract Electronic waste (e-waste), encompassing discarded electrical and electronic devices, demands effective reverse logistics management to ensure optimal resource use and environmental preservation. Despite growing interest in Big Data Analytics within the scientific community, its slow practical implementation in e-waste management and the absence of validated measurement models hinder both industry adoption and empirical studies. To address these challenges and drawing upon the Resource-Capability-Advantage (RCA) theory, this study aims to investigate the interplay between Big Data Analytics (BDA) management capabilities, BDA talent capabilities, Reverse Logistics (RL) innovation, and sustainable RL performance. A conceptual model was tested using primary data from practitioners and managers in India’s e-waste reverse logistics network, with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as the primary analytical method. The results highlight the multifaceted contributions of Big Data Analytics Management and Talent Capabilities to Reverse Logistics Innovation and Sustainable Reverse Logistics Performance.

Innovative talent agglomeration, spatial spillover effects and regional innovation performance-Analyzing the threshold effect of government support.

As the primary source of innovation in science and technology, the gathering of creative talent plays a significant role in fostering regional innovation and providing the impetus needed to realize the Chinese people's aspiration of a great national rejuvenation. Using panel data from 31 provinces over a 12-year period between 2009 and 2020, the spatial Durbin model is constructed to examine the spatial spillover impact of talent agglomeration on the advancement of regional innovation performance, and the panel threshold model is identified and set up to consider whether the nonlinear effect between talent agglomeration and regional achievements in innovation is significant. The analysis demonstrates that: talent pooling has a non-linear effect on the level of innovation performance development, within a certain scale, talent pooling produces an increasing marginal contribution to innovation performance, but after exceeding the limit, it produces a diminishing marginal contribution; the double threshold effect of talent pooling on regional innovation performance is more significant, and government support as a moderating variable confirms that there is a structural mutation between talent pooling and innovation capability. The structural mutation, within a certain threshold range, plays the role of efficient promotion, providing reference for improving regional innovation level.

Research on the Impact Exerted by Green Innovation Corporations’ Internationalization Depth on Innovation Performance and Sustainability—An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from China’s Specialized, Fine, Special, and Innovative Enterprises

Research on the Impact Exerted by Green Innovation Corporations’ Internationalization Depth on Innovation Performance and Sustainability—An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from China’s Specialized, Fine, Special, and Innovative Enterprises

The Effect of Innovative Schools and Schools' Openness to Change on Teachers' Adaptive Performance

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of teachers' perceptions of innovative schools and schools' openness to change on their perceptions of adaptive performance. Predictive correlational design was used in the study. Simple random sampling method was utilized to determine the sample. The sample consisted of 258 teachers. Personal Information Form, Innovative School Scale, Schools' Openness to Change Scale and Teachers' Perceived Adaptive Performance Scale were applied to collect the data. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis were used. In the study, teachers' perceptions of innovative schools and adaptive performance were found to be high, and their perceptions of schools’ openness to change were found to be moderate. It was determined that innovative school and schools' openness to change together significantly predicted adaptive performance. It was determined that the dimensions of organizational impediments, teachers' openness to change and school environment's press for change were significant predictors of adaptive performance while innovative schools and schools' openness to change were together. It was concluded that in order to increase the adaptive performance of teachers, it is necessary to realize innovative practices in schools and to increase the openness of schools to change. Suggestions were made to prevent the factors that hinder innovations in schools and to increase the openness to change of teachers and the school environment.

Quantum computing and its implications for Asian innovation ecosystems

ABSTRACT Where quantum computing is emerging as a catalyst for innovation, this paper investigates its influence on R&D efficiency and innovation outcomes across 4,500 firms in six key sectors – pharmaceuticals, finance, materials science, energy, telecommunications, and logistics – in Asia between 2015 and 2024. The study employs advanced models, including Agent-Based Modeling (ABM), Bayesian Networks, Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Markov Chains, to analyse the relationship between quantum computing investments and innovation performance. The results indicate that high-R&D sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and finance, benefit most from quantum computing due to its role in accelerating drug discovery and optimising risk management. In contrast, low-R&D sectors like telecommunications and logistics face slower adoption due to infrastructure challenges and limited resources. Government support, particularly through subsidies and tax incentives, enhances the impact of quantum computing investments on innovation outcomes, especially in high-R&D industries. This study addresses key gaps by providing empirical evidence of quantum computing’s role in driving sectoral innovation and offering actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders.

Enhancing SME performance through innovation: evidence from a transition economy – Kosovo

Purpose – What are the effects of implementing various types of innovation, including product, process, and technological innovations, on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector? This is a question that preoccupies us a lot. This study seeks to examine the individual and integrated effects of these innovations. Indeed, we examine the impact of three categories of innovation – product, process, and technological innovation – on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Research methodology – We used a quantitative approach to execute this research, selecting SMEs at random using self-administered questionnaires. The data collected from 153 manufacturing SMEs was analyzed using hierarchical linear regression to investigate, evaluate, and refine the relation among product, process, and technological innovation and SME performance. Findings – This study’s findings reveal a clear and direct relationship between these three forms of innovation and SMEs’ performance. This study also provides empirical evidence that various forms of innovation, either examined individually or as integrated, exert a positive effect on the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing industry. Limitations – This study focuses on Kosovo-based SMEs, with the assumption of an upright connection between variables. Future studies can examine the existence of reverse causality in a variety of regional, cultural, and industrial settings. Originality/Value – This study significantly advances existing knowledge by providing useful insights into the complex interplay among product, process, and technological innovation (examined from both individual and integrated perspectives) as well as the performance of SMEs in the manufacturing industry.

Bibliometric Analysis: Mapping the Role of Intellectual Capital in Enhancing Excellence Competing Colleges

In the knowledge economy, competitive advantage in Higher Education (HE) is based on intangible assets of Intellectual capital such as quality in teaching, research, innovation, image, reputation and stakeholder relations. Several studies have been conducted to analyze how intellectual capital contributes to competitive advantage in different contexts. However, it is still rare in the higher education sector. This study aims to fill this gap by providing knowledge mapping and evaluating articles , the role of intellectual capital contribution to competitive advantage in higher education. This study was conducted through a literature study using a bibliometric meta-analysis method approach . This study analyzed 13 publications taken from the Google Scholar database. The results of the study propose the development of variables that are able to improve the relationship between the role of intellectual capital contribution to competitive advantage in higher education comprehensively. The fields of leadership style, innovation and university performance are often associated with the context of university competitive advantage.

The impact of team psychological safety on employee innovative performance a study with communication behavior as a mediator variable.

This study aims to delve into the impact of team psychological safety on employee innovative performance and to analyze the mediating role of communication behavior in this process. Given the central role of innovation in the sustained competitiveness of enterprises, understanding how team psychological safety promotes employee innovation through communication behavior is of significant theoretical and practical importance. The study employs a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze survey data from 580 employees across various high-tech enterprises. The results indicate that the three dimensions of team psychological safety-team collaboration and understanding, team information sharing, and team give-and-take balance-have a significant positive impact on employee innovative performance. Moreover, communication behavior plays a significant mediating role between team psychological safety and employee innovative performance. This study reveals the positive influence of team psychological safety on employee innovative performance through communication behavior, emphasizing the importance of building a positive team psychological safety environment to stimulate employee innovation potential. It provides empirical evidence for enterprise managers to optimize team communication strategies and enhance employee innovative performance.

Nexus between intellectual capital and innovation performance: the mediating role of firm’s attractiveness and knowledge sharing

Purpose Intellectual capital has recently gained significant attention for achieving a competitive advantage for firms. Accordingly, this study aims to examines the impact of intellectual capital on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) innovation performance. Additionally, it also examines the mediating role of firm’s attractiveness (FATR) and knowledge sharing (KS) in small enterprises of India’s National Capital Region (NCR). Design/methodology/approach Data was gathered from 395 owners and managers of the NCR region through a self-administered survey questionnaire. The author applied a “variance-based structural equation modeling” to examine the outcomes. Findings The outcomes exhibited that relational capital (RC) significantly influences the FATR, while human capital (HC) and structural capital (SC) insignificantly influences the FATR. Furthermore, HC, RC and SC substantially influence KS. Interestingly, the outcomes also reveal that a FATR and KS substantially influence innovation performance. Research limitations/implications This research provides valuable opportunities to expand the study of intellectual capital and innovation performance in SMEs across different countries, paving the way for future comparative analyses in diverse international contexts. Practical implications The results assist policymakers and practitioners in assessing an organization’s ability to transform data into intellectual capital within the context of “Industrial Revolution 4.0” to strengthen its sustainability and innovation performance. Originality/value The current paper delivers a more affluent and novel understanding of Indian SMEs by examining the interplay between intellectual capital and innovation performance mediating by a FATR and KS behavior. Furthermore, the proposed model has not been previously addressed in the academic literature, which signifies advancement in scientific knowledge.

The impact of informal control on the innovation performance of female technology professionals from the perspective of role pressure

BackgroundWith the rapid advancement of the technology industry, particularly in STEM fields, female professionals have increasingly become key drivers of innovation. Despite this, existing research has seldom examined the psychological impact of informal control on their innovation performance. Therefore, this study distributed questionnaires to female technology professionals in China’s STEM field to investigate the effect of informal control on their innovation performance from a psychological perspective. It further explored the mediating role of role pressure and the moderating role of environmental turbulence in this relationship.MethodsThis study primarily utilized AMOS 24.0 to develop structural equation models, and employed PROCESS 24.0 and SPSS 26.0 for data analysis purposes.ResultsThe findings reveal that informal control positively predicted the innovation performance of female technology professionals in STEM field. Role pressure partially mediates this relationship, while environmental turbulence positively moderates the relationship between informal control and innovation performance among female technology professionals in STEM field.DiscussionTheoretically, this research enriches the individual-level approaches to enhancing management control effectiveness. Practically, it aids managers in focusing on the psychological well-being of female technology professionals in STEM field, thereby facilitating the judicious selection of management control methods. The study’s conclusions aim to provide logical guidance for enterprises to further strengthen their attention and support for female technology professionals in STEM field. Simultaneously, it offers a theoretical foundation for enhancing their innovative capabilities.

Dopamine in Sports: A Narrative Review on the Genetic and Epigenetic Factors Shaping Personality and Athletic Performance

This narrative review examines the relationship between dopamine-related genetic polymorphisms, personality traits, and athletic success. Advances in sports genetics have identified specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dopamine-related genes linked to personality traits crucial for athletic performance, such as motivation, cognitive function, and emotional resilience. This review clarifies how genetic variations can influence athletic predisposition through dopaminergic pathways and environmental interactions. Key findings reveal associations between specific SNPs and enhanced performance in various sports. For example, polymorphisms such as COMT Val158Met rs4680 and BDNF Val66Met rs6265 are associated with traits that could benefit performance, such as increased focus, stress resilience and conscientiousness, especially in martial arts. DRD3 rs167771 is associated with higher agreeableness, benefiting teamwork in sports like football. This synthesis underscores the multidimensional role of genetics in shaping athletic ability and advocates for integrating genetic profiling into personalized training to optimize performance and well-being. However, research gaps remain, including the need for standardized training protocols and exploring gene–environment interactions in diverse populations. Future studies should focus on how genetic and epigenetic factors can inform tailored interventions to enhance both physical and psychological aspects of athletic performance. By bridging genetics, personality psychology, and exercise science, this review paves the way for innovative training and performance optimization strategies.