企业协同创新网络特征与创新绩效:基于知识吸收能力的中介效应研究

Characteristics of Collaborative Innovation Networks and Innovation Performance of Firms: The Mediating Effect of Knowledge Absorptive Capacity

本文基于长三角地区379家电子信息企业的问卷调查数据,运用多元回归探讨了知识吸收能力对企业协同创新网络特征与创新绩效的中介效应。研究结果表明:(1)知识吸收能力与企业创新绩效之间呈正相关关系;(2)协同创新网络特征的三个维度(网络规模、网络同质性、网络强度)均与企业创新绩效之间呈正相关关系;(3)知识吸收能力在协同创新网络特征与企业创新绩效之间存在着部分中介效应。

With the complexity of the technology as well as the uncertainty of technological innovation, the innovation capability of enterprises is increasingly being challenged. Thus, collaborative innovation has become the main mode of technological innovation. Based on the survey data of 379 electronic information enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta region, this paper explores the mediating effect of knowledge absorptive capacity on the relationships between the characteristics of collaborative innovation network and innovation performance of enterprises by using the method of multiple regression analysis. The results show that： first, there are positive relationships between knowledge absorptive capacity （including knowledge acquisition, knowledge assimilation, knowledge conversion, and knowledge utilization） and the innovation performance of enterprises; second, there are positive relationships between the three dimensions of the characteristics of collaborative innovation network （including network size, network homogeneity, and net- work strength） and the innovative performance of enterprises; third, there is a part of a mediating effect of the knowledge absorptive capacity on the relationships between the characteristics of collaborative innovation network （including the three dimensions such as network size, network homogeneity, and network strength） and the innovation performance of enterprise. The findings from this study also have important implications for practitioners. Our findings advise firms to better understand the impact of innovative network, and to know how to leverage their network positions. From a managerial viewpoint, it shows that the establishment of innovation network for firms is a valid approach to getting external resources and making up their own shortcomings. Thus, firms should participate in more innovative network to maintain a certain network size, and network strength. On the whole, the findings of this study are of great significance for improving the collaborative innovation capability of enterprises, and enhancing their innovation performance. Moreover, the findings of this study can be used to guide the policy formulation of innovation for local government agencies. However, our study has the limitation that may inspire future research. This paper only examines the electronic information industry in the Yangtze River Delta, which represents the highest level of industrial development in China. Thus, Caution should be exercised in generalizing our findings to other industries.