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Firm Growth Performance and Relative Innovation Orientation of Exploration vs Exploitation: Moderating Effects of Cluster Relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2020

Zhendong Li ,
Marina Yue Zhang Open the ORCID record for Marina Yue Zhang [Opens in a new window]  and
Huiying Zhang
Zhendong Li
Affiliation:
Hangzhou Dianzi University, China
Marina Yue Zhang*
Affiliation:
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Huiying Zhang
Affiliation:
Tianjin University, China
*
Corresponding author: Marina Yue Zhang (myzhang@swin.edu.au)
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Abstract

This article studies the latent mechanisms underlying the non-linear correlation between a firm's relative innovation orientation of exploration vs exploitation and performance. We also investigate the moderating effects of cluster relationships on this relationship. Using a sample of 638 SMEs in four industry clusters in Tianjin, China, we confirm an inverted U-shaped correlation between a firm's relative innovation orientation and performance, and explicate the latent mechanisms underlying such an inverted U shape. We find that the number and strength of a firm's cluster relationships can moderate this inverted U-shaped curve: the former moves the turning point of the inverted U shape toward exploratory orientation, and the latter moves the turning point toward exploitative orientation. For improved performance, we discuss appropriate innovation balancing strategies for cluster firms with different cluster relationships, and optimal cluster strategies under different innovation-balancing conditions. This study adds to the increasing scholarly effort on latent mechanisms behind U-shaped relationships and moderating effects on such relationships in management research.

摘要

摘要

本文研究了企业的相对创新导向（RIO）与成长绩效之间的非线性关系，以及企业的集群关系对上述非线性关系的调节作用。企业的相对创新导向是由其探索式创新 （ER）与利用式创新（EI）的差值与其总和之比决定的，即RIO=（ER-EI）/（ER+EI）。通过对中国天津地区的638家位于集群中的中小企业的问卷调查，我们确认了企业的相对创新导向与绩效之间存在一种倒U型的关系，并研究了这种关系产生的机理。我们发现企业的集群关系的数量和强度对这种倒U型关系有不同的调节作用：企业的集群关系的数量会使这种倒U型曲线更偏向于探索式创新，而集群关系的强度则有利于该曲线更偏向于利用式创新。 通过这些发现，我们讨论了企业在不同的集群关系中应该如何选择合适的创新平衡战略；同时，我们也讨论了企业在不同的创新平衡条件下，应该如何选择最佳集群战略。本文对管理研究中倒U型关系的机理及调节因素做出了理论贡献并做出了实证检验。

Аннотация

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной статье исследуются скрытые механизмы, которые лежат в основе нелинейной корреляции между относительной ориентацией на разработку или совершенствование инноваций и производительностью компании. Мы также изучаем влияние отношений внутри кластера на эту взаимосвязь. На основании выборки из 638 малых и средних предприятий в четырех промышленных кластерах в Тяньцзине (Китай), мы находим подтверждение перевернутой U-образной зависимости между относительной инновационной ориентацией и производительностью компании, а также раскрываем скрытые механизмы, лежащие в основе такой перевернутой U-образной кривой. Мы приходим к выводу о том, что количество и сила связей компании внутри кластера могут видоизменить эту перевернутую U-образную кривую: первый фактор перемещает поворотную точку перевернутой U-образной кривой в сторону ориентации на разработку, а второй – в сторону ориентации на совершенствование инноваций. В целях повышения производительности, мы рассматриваем подходящие стратегии для баланса инноваций в кластерных компаниях с различными отношениями внутри кластера, а также оптимальные кластерные стратегии при различных условиях для баланса инноваций. Эта работа вносит свой вклад в обширные научные исследования по изучению скрытых механизмов, лежащих в основе U-образной зависимости, а также факторов воздействия на такие взаимосвязи в области управления.

Resumen

RESUMEN

Este artículo estudia los mecanismos latentes que subyacen la correlación no linear entre la orientación relativa a la innovación de una empresa de exploración versus explotación y desempeño. También investigamos los efectos moderadores de las relaciones de clústeres en esta relación. Usando una muestra de 638 pymes en cuatro clústeres en Tianjin, China, confirmamos una correlación en forma de U invertida entre la orientación innovadora relativa y el desempeño, y explicamos los mecanismos latentes que subyacen esta forma de U invertida. Encontramos que la cantidad y la fortaleza de las relaciones de los clústeres de una empresa pueden moderar esta curva en forma de U invertida: los movimientos anteriores al punto de inflexión hacia la orientación explotadora. Para mejorar el desempeño, discutimos estrategias de equilibrar la innovación apropiada para empresas de clúster con diferentes relaciones de clúster, y estrategias de clúster optimas bajo diferentes condiciones de equilibrio de innovación. Este estudio agrega al crecimiento esfuerzo académico sobre los mecanismos latentes detrás de las relaciones en forma de U y los efectos moderadores en estas relaciones en la investigación en gestión.

Keywords

cluster relationshipsexploitative innovationexploratory innovationfirm performanceinverted U-shaped curverelative innovation orientation集群关系利用式创新探索式创新公司业绩倒U曲线相对创新导向отношения внутри кластерасовершенствующие инновациирадикальные инновациипроизводительность компанийперевернутая U-образная криваяотносительная ориентация на инновации.relaciones de clústerinnovación explotadorainnovación exploratoriadesempeño de la empresacurva en forma de U invertidaorientación relativa a la innovación
Type
Article
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 2021 , pp. 143 - 172
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International Association for Chinese Management Research

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Footnotes

ACCEPTED BY Senior Editor Can Huang

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