The synergistic effect of ego-network stability and whole network position: a perspective of transnational coopetition network

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guan Feiyang ◽  
Wang Tienan ◽  
Sun Linbing ◽  
Tang Liqing
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Network Performance ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Network Stability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stable Relationship ◽  
Structural Hole ◽  
Network Position ◽  
Competitive Aggressiveness ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe authors selected global automobile manufacturing firms whose sales ranked within 100 in the five years from 2014 to 2018 in the Factiva database to examine how the characteristics of a firm's whole network and ego-network in a transnational coopetition network influence network performance.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyzed the public news of the sample firms about the coopetition by structural content analysis to build the coopetition networks and access to data on the competitive actions of firms. Then, to measure the variables associated with the coopetition network, such as the structural hole, centrality and ego-network stability, the authors use UCINET 6 that is a widely used piece of software for social network analysis to establishing five undirected binary adjacency matrices.FindingsThe authors find that a firm's competitive aggressiveness mediates the relationship between a firm's whole network position and network performance that emphasizes the need for integrating competitive dynamics research and coopetition research and shows how valuable insights can be gained through such integration. And the interaction of structural hole and centrality impacts competitive aggressiveness and network performance, and the interaction is different under high and low ego-network stability. The integration of whole network and ego-network literature studies provides new insights into firm network literature.Practical implicationsIn the process of cooperation, firms should consider whether they can occupy the structural hole and center as important indicators for partner selection. Too stable relationship will prevent firms from obtaining new resources. Firms should weigh the period of cooperation according to specific situation.Originality/valueThese results indicate that ego-network stability, as an important complementary characteristic of coopetition network, has a significant synergistic effect with structural holes and centrality on competitive aggressiveness and network performance. And these findings expand the current literature on the relationship between characteristics of network, competitive aggressiveness and network performance.

Understanding the relationship between organizational culture and inbound open innovation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franz Barjak ◽  
Fabian Heimsch
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
External Control ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Innovations ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe relationship between corporate culture and inbound open innovation (OI) has been limited to two sub-constructs: a culture for openness and an innovation culture, but until now a richer conceptualization of corporate culture is missing.Design/methodology/approachThe authors apply Quinn and Rohrbaugh's (1983) competing values framework and regress these together with company internal and external control variables on five measures of inbound OI, reflecting product innovation, process innovation and the sourcing of innovation activities. The authors use data from a survey of more than 250 Swiss companies, primarily SMEs.FindingsThe importance of the firms' market environments suggests that the results are affected by the specific situation in which the firms found themselves at the time of the survey: after a strong currency shock, inbound OI activities seem to be a reaction to external pressure that favored planning and rule-oriented (formal) cultures to implement cost-cutting process innovations.Practical implicationsCompanies should develop a vision and a strategy, ensure open and transparent communication, have suitable reward and support mechanisms in place, adjust structures and processes, and institutionalize and formalize any change whenever they are confronted with a situation that requires a quick reaction and an adjustment to their degree of openness.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies the relationship between cultural traits and inbound OI, using a well-established understanding of corporate culture and differentiating between innovation types. It points to the importance of the external environment in order to understand the role of culture.

A framework to manage business-to-business branding strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Cassia ◽  
Francesca Magno
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Branding Strategies ◽  
B2b Branding ◽  
Number Of Customers ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Business To Business ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeIn the past decades, a growing body of studies has assessed the importance of brands in business-to-business (B2B) markets. However, until date, a comprehensive understanding of B2B branding strategies is lacking. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to select and manage B2B branding strategies.Design/methodology/approachThis study’s arguments are developed in line with MacInnis’s (2011) guidelines on conceptual contributions in marketing.FindingsAs a result of the arguments of this study, a framework is developed to identify the relationships between the types of B2B contexts and effective B2B branding strategies.Research limitations/implicationsDespite deriving from an extensive analysis of the literature, the framework requires future empirical validation. Moreover, the relationship linking a supplier to its customer is unique, and hence, each supplier should carefully select a branding strategy depending on the specific situation.Practical implicationsThe suggested framework provides actionable insights to inform managers’ decisions about the most effective B2B strategy for their firm, based on the relational complexity (number of customers, intensity of co-production and co-creation, and dyadic vs multiple-actor view).Originality/valueThis is the first study to provide a comprehensive model of B2B branding strategies. Therefore, it contributes to both advance theoretical knowledge and managerial practice.

Network position and cooperation partners selection strategies for research productivity

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsing(Sam) Liu
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Research Productivity ◽  
Critical Position ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Position ◽  
Cooperation Partners ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore how individuals can leverage interpersonal relationships and critical network position to acquire knowledge and information for generate research productivity. Specifically, this paper argues that the relationship between tie strength and scholar productivity will be an inverted U-shape, and critical position as moderating role in research productivity generation process. The robustness tests were also provided. Design/methodology/approach – Using panel data from scholars in tourism academic fields, this paper investigated the conditions under which maintenance of social relations affects knowledge creation. In total, two different regression models and robustness tests were used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 201 tourism scholars from Taiwan and an analysis of 1,198 publications. Findings – The results showed that the relationship between tie strength and scholar productivity will be an inverted U-shape. Moreover, the moderating role of critical position of structural holes and betweennesss are recognized: it positively moderates with tie strengths and research productivity. Research limitations/implications – The empirical results are derived from a sample of scholars in Taiwanese business management departments, thus raising concern about the external generalizability to other departments and countries. Future research is, therefore, suggested to empirically test the validity of the framework and hypothesis in other departments or countries. Practical implications – The practical implications of the results are that individuals need to know that there are two underlying governing forces on the choice of their knowledge exchange partners and occupying critical network position. A diversified social relation is beneficial to the knowledge creation performance because of more information knowledge sharing while a specialized knowledge would avoid the detrimental effects of coordination and conflict problems on research productivity. Therefore, individuals should understand and careful choice their cooperation partners and network position in order to achieve better knowledge creation outcome. Originality/value – This research extends developments in social capital theory and the relational view into interpersonal relationships between tourism scholars and their cooperation partners. Furthermore, the paper also examines how critical position has effects on scholar’s research productivity creation process. Finally, studies that examine the relationship between tourism academic networks and different measures of research productivity are few in number, and those that use such longitudinal empirical work are particularly lacking. This study addresses these issues.

How does network position influence project performance in Chinese megaprojects? An inter-organizational conflict-based perspective

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Liu ◽  
Jiming Cao ◽  
Guangdong Wu ◽  
Xianbo Zhao ◽  
Jian Zuo
Keyword(s):  
Project Performance ◽  
Network Governance ◽  
Task Conflict ◽  
Relationship Conflict ◽  
Organizational Conflict ◽  
Structural Holes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Position ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between network position, various types of inter-organizational conflicts and project performance in the context of megaprojects. Design/methodology/approach Centrality and structural holes were used to represent network position. A theoretical model was developed, and a structured questionnaire survey was conducted with construction professionals involved in megaprojects. A total of 291 valid responses were obtained, which were analyzed via structural equation modeling. Findings The results showed that centrality negatively impacts project performance, while structural holes do not significantly impact project performance. Centrality negatively affects task conflicts, but positively affects process conflicts and relationship conflicts. Structural holes positively impact task conflicts, but negatively impact both process conflicts and relationship conflicts. Task conflict and relationship conflict exert constructive and destructive effects on project performance, respectively, while process conflict does not significantly impact project performance. Task conflict and relationship conflict play mediating roles. Task conflict weakens while relationship conflict strengthens the relationship between centrality and project performance. Task conflict strengthens while relationship conflict weakens the relationship between structure hole and project performance. Research limitations/implications This study provides a reference for the implementation of network governance, inter-organizational conflict management and project performance management in megaprojects. However, the impact of dynamic changes of inter-organizational conflicts and network position on project performance has not been discussed in the context of megaprojects. Future research may explore the impact of dynamic changes of conflicts and network position on project implementation. Originality/value This study increases the current understanding of the impact of network position on project performance. Moreover, a new direction for network governance in the context of megaprojects is provided. This study also verified both the constructive and destructive effects of conflicts and the mediating role they play, thus supplementing the literature on inter-organizational conflict management in the construction field.

The effects of entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of the Malaysian manufacturing sector

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wee Loong Lee ◽  
Aik Lee Chong ◽  
Ramayah T.
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competitive Aggressiveness ◽  
Composition Factors ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of entrepreneur orientation (EO) on firm performance of the Malaysian manufacturing sector.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were collected through a survey of 321 companies registered with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers. Responses were analyzed using PLS-SEM to assess the relationships between transformational leadership and firm performance.FindingsThe findings show that amongst Malaysian manufacturers, transformational leadership has a strong direct effect on firm performance.Practical implicationsThese findings provide useful insights for organizations, particularly in the Malaysian manufacturing sector, seeking to be competitive and responsive to environmental changes by successfully introducing EO.Originality/valueEO has been studied in detail in the recent literature. Many new researchers have explored various composition factors of EO, and how this will have an effect on firm performance. However, there are few research studies in the area of transformational leadership amongst Malaysian manufacturing companies. This research makes an important contribution to the existing literature by empirically examining the relationship between EO and firm performance, particularly in the Malaysian manufacturing sector. Conclusion emphasizes that mechanisms to encourage and foster EO mainly autonomy, competitive aggressiveness and proactiveness are likely to result in the achievement of superior firm performance.

Why “they” occupies the critical network positions?

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chih-Hsing (Sam) Liu ◽  
Bernard Gan ◽  
Yucheng Eason Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Business Management ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Network Position ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw on social network theory to develop a new theoretical model to explain how experience and leadership influence critical network position. Broad analyses of the mediating role of leadership between experience and critical network position calls attention to the need to investigate the direct relationship between leadership and critical network position. Empirical examinations of the roles of leadership and experience within the social network context are lacking. The authors seeks to fill this gap by constructing a new theoretical model and testing it in the knowledge-intensive sector. Design/methodology/approach – The authors made 3,356 observations involving 427 faculty members in business and management departments in Taiwanese universities. To test the model, the authors performed two different regression models using the Baron and Kenny (1986) procedure and the Sobel test. Findings – The results that the authors obtained lead to three conclusions. First, scholars’ experience positively relates to leadership in grouping the followers toward the common goal and to their publications. Second, scholars’ leadership predicts occupying the critical network position, which, in turn, facilitates acquiring more information and resources. Third, experience relates to critical network position through influence on personal leadership. Research limitations/implications – Although the insights gained from the study are important in theoretical and empirical implications, this study has its limitations. The research examined the professional interaction networks of business management scholars of Taiwanese universities. Although the authors believe that the findings are generalizable to other fields of similar phenomena settings, there are also settings where the generalizability of the study is probably quite limited. Future research could study samples in other fields, such as biomedical research and chemical research, and samples in other knowledge-intensive industries. Practical implications – The results imply that managers can reap the benefits of their leadership either informal or informal organizations by occupying a critical position to control the flow of resources and information. In other words, the results indicate that leadership can be developed through experience. As well, leadership plays an important mediating role between experience and critical network positions. This may seem to contradict the evidence from research on network concepts and resources control, which primarily draws attention to leadership being a helpful quality for those in critical network positions. Originality/value – This research extends beyond previous studies that focussed on the value of critical network positions. Furthermore, the paper also examines how the relationship between prior relevant experience and leadership plays a role in academic network settings. To the authors’ knowledge, no studies explore this perspective. Finally, studies that examine the relationship between business management academic networks and different methodology used to measures the network position are few in number, and those that use such longitudinal empirical work are particularly lacking. This study addresses these issues.

Customer value co-creation over the relationship life cycle

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Cambra-Fierro ◽  
Iguacel Melero-Polo ◽  
F. Javier Sese
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeDrawing from the theory of relationship dynamics, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how the relationship life cycle moderates the link between relationship quality and customer value co-creation. As customer-firm relationships pass through different stages (exploration, buildup, maturity, and decline) characterized by distinct customer behaviors, this study proposes a dynamic conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was administered in financial services firms. The final valid sample comprised 2,000 individuals. Subjective customer information from the questionnaire was combined with objective data that the financial entity provided.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the relationship life cycle plays a key moderating role, revealing that, in the buildup and maturity stages, the influence of relationship quality on customer value co-creation is stronger than in the decline stage. However, for customers in the exploration stage, relationship quality does not lead to customer value co-creation behaviors.Practical implicationsAs customer relationship stages are constantly evolving, this study provides companies with additional interesting tools to personalize business strategies and to adapt marketing investments to the specific situation of customers.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to consider how the relationship life cycle influences the strength with which relationship quality promotes customer value co-creation.

Focal enterprises' control and knowledge transfer risks in R&D networks

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Guo ◽  
Naiding Yang ◽  
Yanlu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Technological Capability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Position ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Mediator Role ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore that relational capability plays a mediator role in the relationship between focal enterprises' control on knowledge transfer risks in R&D network.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the related literature from which it proposes a theoretical hypothesis and conceptual framework which is tested empirically adopting regression methodology by mathematical statistics software.FindingsThe results reveal that focal enterprises' control (core technological capability and network position) have a positive effect on knowledge transfer risks without the mediation of relational capability. Moreover, relational capability mediates the positive relationship between core technological capability and knowledge transfer risks.Research limitations/implicationsThe cross-sectional data of this research has difficult in testing causality between the variables, and future research should take account of the potential factors that can impact on knowledge transfer risks.Practical implicationsThe results provide more valuable information to managers in alleviating knowledge transfer risks in R&D networks. For one thing, the study indicates how focal firms' control (core technological capability and network position) can be taken advantage of improving R&D efficiency and reducing the knowledge transfer risks. For another, the results emphasize that relational capability plays an important role in interacting with cooperative enterprises in the process of R&D activities.Originality/valueFew studies present a theoretical discussion on focal firms control as the important determinants of knowledge transfer risks especially in the R&D network. Moreover it expands the related risk management theory by relational capability that mediates the relationship between focal firms control and knowledge transfer risks.

Can a region’s network location characteristics affect its innovation capability? Empirical evidence from China

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minrui Han ◽  
Bing Sun ◽  
Xiao Su
Keyword(s):  
Network Centrality ◽  
Innovation Network ◽  
Innovation Capability ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Network Location ◽  
Structural Hole ◽  
Innovation Capacity ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to explore the influence of a region’s network location characteristics and indirect connections on its innovation capability. The aim is to assist regions in different network locations to use innovation resources to improve their innovation capabilities more efficiently. Design/methodology/approach This paper represents the Chinese regional innovation network using the gravity model. A theoretical framework is developed to explore the relationships between a region’s innovation capability and its network location. Hypotheses are tested using hierarchical regressions. Findings First, this paper finds that a region’s network centrality can promote its innovation capability. Second, a structural hole can positively adjust the relationship between a region’s centrality and innovation capability. Third, a region’s indirect connections can inhibit its innovation capability while exhibiting a U-shaped relationship in moderating centrality and innovation capability. Originality/value This study uses a multi-index system to construct an innovation network covering 29 regions in China. This network represents the innovation cooperation and overall situation of innovation in China. The paper is one of the first attempts at investigating the relationship between regional network locations and innovation capability. It is also the first attempt at testing the influence of indirect connections on a region’s innovation capability. The findings provide a new perspective on the factors influencing regional innovation capacity and a new way for regions to improve their innovation capability.

Locked-in resources, coopetitive relationship stability and innovation

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rida Elias ◽  
Bassam Farah
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Stability ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Competitive Intensity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stable Relationship ◽  
Radical Innovations ◽  
Strategic Resources ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThis conceptual paper uses the resource-based theory (RBT) of the firm to argue that for competitors to improve their innovation through a cooperative relationship – coopetitive relationship – they need to work on building a stable relationship with each other by investing a special type of resources, namely locked-in resources.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on RBT criteria to argue that when the antecedent – the locked-in resources – and the mediator – the relationship stability – are valuable, rare, inimitable and organized (VRIO), they will help the parties involved achieve sustained competitive advantage from the coopetitive relationship.FindingsThis paper argues that locked-in resources lead to higher coopetitive relationship stability by reducing the impact of opportunistic behavior from any of the partners. More stable relationship leads to more innovations especially radical innovations. In addition, the nature of the industry plays a moderating role. The industry's competitive intensity affects the relationship between locked-in resources and relationship stability. The industry's age affects the relationship between stability and innovation quantity and type.Research limitations/implicationsThis conceptual paper anchors its arguments within the RBT related to the firm's strategic resources (VRIO) characteristics and applies the same arguments (VRIO) beyond the firm level to the coopetitive relationship level. The model invites researchers and practitioners to consider two new constructs namely locked-in resources and coopetitive relationship stability in order to build successful coopetitive relationships.Practical implicationsThis paper contributes considerably and in a practical manner to managers as it draws their attention to the importance of investing a special type of resources, namely locked-in resources and ensuring the relationship stability with their coopetitors to achieve the desired outcome. It also draws the managers' attention to the impact industry's competitive intensity and industry's age have on the quality of the relationship and on the innovation outcomes.Originality/valueA distinct contribution of this conceptual paper is the introduction of two new constructs: locked-in resources and coopetitive relationship stability. Locked-in resources are valuable within the coopetitive relationship and they improve the second construct or relationship stability. Relationship stability is different from relationship strength as it leads to more trust between partners over longer periods of time.

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