A Study on the Mechanism of How Innovation Network Influences the Innovative Enterprises Embeddedness: Based on a Mixed Methods of SEM and fsQCA

Abstract

Abstract: Building effective innovation network is a crucial pathway for fostering the innovative enterprises embeddedness and achieving innovation-driven development. This study constructs a theoretical model to explain how innovation networks drive the innovative enterprises embeddedness, employs structural equation model and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify the mechanisms through which innovation network affect enterprise embedding. The study finds that (1) Innovation network has a positive effect on the innovative enterprises embeddedness. Specifically, network size, network relationships, and network position significantly contribute to innovative enterprises embeddedness. Moreover, the innovation environment positively moderates the relationship between innovation network and innovative enterprises embeddedness. Further analysis shows that no single factor is a necessary condition for generating high or low levels of innovative enterprises embeddedness. Two configurations lead to high innovative enterprises embeddedness: S1, the “scale-position-environment-driven” configuration, and S2, the “scale-relationship-position-environment-driven” configuration, with asymmetric mechanisms compared to low innovative enterprises embeddedness. Based on these insights, this study provides managerial implications, including enhancing innovation network relationships and expanding the scale of innovation networks, strengthening the centrality of innovative enterprises within networks to fully leverage the value of innovation networks, optimizing the innovation environment to cultivate the innovative enterprises embeddedness.

Key words: innovation network, innovative enterprises embeddedness, innovation environment, SEM, fsQCA

Gui Huangbao, Li Wenjing, Sun Pu, Zhang Zhihao, Wang Menglei. A Study on the Mechanism of How Innovation Network Influences the Innovative Enterprises Embeddedness: Based on a Mixed Methods of SEM and fsQCA[J]. Management Review, 2025, 37(9): 111-123.

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