Strategic networks and new product performance: the mediating role of ambidextrous innovation

ABSTRACT

In this study we examine the relationship between strategic networks and new product performance from the perspective of ambidextrous innovation (i.e. combining exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation) using a sample of 323 manufacturing firms in the transitional economy of China. Our empirical analyses present several interesting findings: (a) strategic networks are positively related to firms’ new product performance; (b) ambidextrous innovation has a positive effect on firms’ new product performance – that is, the combination of exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation positively affects the firm's new product performance, while the lack of balance between exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation negatively affects the firm's new product performance; and (c) ambidextrous innovation mediates the relationship between strategic networks and new product performance. Our findings provide scholars and managers with a better understanding of the key role played by the simultaneous adoption of exploratory and exploitative innovation in the relationship between strategic networks and new product performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Ambidextrous innovation
• strategic networks
• new product performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Xuemei Xie is an Associate Professor at School of Management, Shanghai University. She is the member of Academy of Management. Her research interests include technology innovation and strategic management. She has published more than 20 articles in innovation management filed, such as Technovation, Journal of Business Research, Psychology & Marketing, IEEE Transaction on Engineering Management, and Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, among others.

Yanru Gao is an Research Assistant at School of Management, Shanghai University. Her research interests include innovation management and strategic network.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number: 71472118; 71772118], and “Shu Guang” project of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and Shanghai Education Development Foundation [grant number: 13SG41].