Learning and innovation in inter-organizational network collaboration

摘要

Purpose - This study sets out to examine the relationship between firms' learning orientation and network collaboration. The aim is to investigate howrnlearning orientation enhances network collaboration and to discuss the role of the co-innovation focus in the learning orientation-network collaborationrnrelationship.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Based on a partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling analysis of 90 small and medium-sizedrnindustrial firms (SMEs), the study tests hypotheses regarding how two diverse learning orientations - i.e. exploration and exploitation - precede firms'rnnetwork collaboration.rnFindings - The analysis shows that learning drives firms' co-innovation focus in terms of product and process co-innovation. In particular, thernexplorative learning orientation is found to foster firms' network collaboration through product co-innovation. Exploitative learning orientationrnpromotes process innovations but discourages networking.rnPractical implications - A key implication for business practitioners is the understanding that SMEs' explorative learning approaches drive theirrnnetwork collaboration. The development of novel product innovation calls for learning with partners in inter-organizational networks, whereas processrnimprovements rely on the firm's intra-organizational learning.rnOriginality/value - The paper provides evidence of the connection between firms' learning orientation, co-innovation focus, and networking. Thus, itrncontributes to the literature on organizational learning, innovation management, and business networks by explicating how learning drives a firm'srnnetworking through its co-innovation focus.