Technology capabilities, marketing capabilities and innovation ambidexterity

ABSTRACT

Linking the literature of resource-based view (RBV) with ambidexterity, we construct an integrative framework of technology capabilities, marketing capabilities, innovation ambidexterity, and organisational performance. Using data from a sample of 190 Chinese hospitals, we find that both technology capabilities and marketing capabilities have an inverse U-shape relationship with innovation ambidexterity. And they can complementarily improve innovation ambidexterity, which further enhances organisational performance. This study deepens our understanding of RBV and ambidexterity by investigating the antecedent roles of technological and marketing capabilities on innovation ambidexterity. We also investigate their interactive role on improving innovation ambidexterity.

KEYWORDS:

• Technology capabilities
• marketing capabilities
• innovation ambidexterity

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Editor and the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and constructive suggestions.

Notes on contributors

Jinjuan Zang is a PhD graduate at College of Business, City University of Hong Kong. Her research interests are primarily in knowledge management, organisation innovation, and strategic network. She has published some articles in Chinese leading academic journals.

Yuan Li is a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His current interests include innovation and entrepreneurship. His research works have appeared in some top-tier management journals.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Science Foundation Committee of China [grant numbers 71132006 and 71402139], and Humanities and Social Sciences Program of the Ministry of Education [grant number 14XJC630009].