IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/iburev/v33y2024i5s096959312400026x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The impact of open innovation on the environmental sustainability practices and international sales intensity nexus: A multicountry study

Author

Listed:
  • Gonçalves, Ricardo
  • Vlačić, Božidar
  • González-Loureiro, Miguel
  • Sousa, Rui

Abstract

Amid growing environmental concerns and increasing customer demand for environmental sustainability practices (ESP), international firms strive to develop ESP and leverage resources across their global networks as key players in global innovation systems. In this context, we investigate whether adopting an open innovation (OI) strategy is a viable solution to meet the demand for ESP and foster internationalization. Specifically, this study examines the potential moderating effect of OI on ESP because both entail the ability to coordinate, orchestrate, and synchronize networks to enhance international sales. Our study encompasses a multicountry sample of 514 internationally operating manufacturers. The findings reveal that simultaneous efforts to adopt OI with suppliers and ESP constrain the positive association between ESP and international sales intensity. We provide theoretical arguments to elucidate this counterintuitive finding, thereby revitalizing the discussion on the role of international firms’ adoption of ESP and sustainable innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonçalves, Ricardo & Vlačić, Božidar & González-Loureiro, Miguel & Sousa, Rui, 2024. "The impact of open innovation on the environmental sustainability practices and international sales intensity nexus: A multicountry study," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:33:y:2024:i:5:s096959312400026x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2024.102279
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096959312400026X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2024.102279?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dovev Lavie & Stewart R. Miller, 2008. "Alliance Portfolio Internationalization and Firm Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(4), pages 623-646, August.
    2. Dana B. Minbaeva, 2007. "Knowledge transfer in multinational corporations," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(4), pages 567-593, October.
    3. Jan Johanson & Jan-Erik Vahlne, 2009. "The Uppsala internationalization process model revisited: From liability of foreignness to liability of outsidership," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 40(9), pages 1411-1431, December.
    4. Carlsson, Bo & Jacobsson, Staffan & Holmen, Magnus & Rickne, Annika, 2002. "Innovation systems: analytical and methodological issues," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 233-245, February.
    5. Peter J Buckley & Jonathan P Doh & Mirko H Benischke, 2017. "Towards a renaissance in international business research? Big questions, grand challenges, and the future of IB scholarship," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 48(9), pages 1045-1064, December.
    6. Asheim, Bjorn T & Isaksen, Arne, 2002. "Regional Innovation Systems: The Integration of Local 'Sticky' and Global 'Ubiquitous' Knowledge," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 77-86, January.
    7. Lopez-Vega, Henry & Tell, Fredrik & Vanhaverbeke, Wim, 2016. "Where and how to search? Search paths in open innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 125-136.
    8. Alain Verbeke, 2021. "The long-term energy transition and multinational enterprise complexity: A BJM–JIBS Joint Initiative," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 803-806, July.
    9. Daniel Sullivan, 1994. "Measuring the Degree of Internationalization of a Firm," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 25(2), pages 325-342, June.
    10. Golgeci, Ismail & Makhmadshoev, Dilshod & Demirbag, Mehmet, 2021. "Global value chains and the environmental sustainability of emerging market firms: A systematic review of literature and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5).
    11. Vittoria G. Scalera & Alessandra Perri & T. J. Hannigan, 2018. "Knowledge connectedness within and across home country borders: Spatial heterogeneity and the technological scope of firm innovations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(8), pages 990-1009, October.
    12. Belderbos, Rene & Carree, Martin & Diederen, Bert & Lokshin, Boris & Veugelers, Reinhilde, 2004. "Heterogeneity in R&D cooperation strategies," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 22(8-9), pages 1237-1263, November.
    13. Luo, Yadong, 2021. "New OLI advantages in digital globalization," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(2).
    14. Zhu, Qinghua & Sarkis, Joseph & Lai, Kee-hung, 2012. "Internationalization and environmentally-related organizational learning among Chinese manufacturers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 142-154.
    15. Valery Chistov & Nekane Aramburu & María Eugenia Fabra Florit & Iñaki Peña‐Legazkue & Pauline Weritz, 2023. "Sustainability orientation and firm growth as ventures mature," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5314-5331, December.
    16. Bi, Kexin & Huang, Ping & Wang, Xiangxiang, 2016. "Innovation performance and influencing factors of low-carbon technological innovation under the global value chain: A case of Chinese manufacturing industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 275-284.
    17. Ge, Jiwen & Honhon, Dorothee & Fransoo, Jan C. & Zhao, Lei, 2020. "Manufacturer competition in the nanostore retail channel," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 286(1), pages 360-374.
    18. Desirée Blankenburg Holm & Kent Eriksson & Jan Johanson, 1996. "Business Networks and Cooperation in International Business Relationships," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(4), pages 1033-1053, December.
    19. Lartey, Theophilus A. & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph & Danso, Albert & Adomako, Samuel & Khan, Zaheer & Tarba, Shlomo Y., 2021. "Environmental sustainability practices and offshoring activities of multinational corporations across emerging and developed markets," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5).
    20. Michael Pfaffermayr, 1999. "Ownership Advantages, Foreign Production and Productivity: Evidence from Austrian Manufacturing Firms," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 15(4), pages 379-396, December.
    21. Ivan Montiel & Alvaro Cuervo-Cazurra & Junghoon Park & Raquel Antolín-López & Bryan W. Husted, 2021. "Implementing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 999-1030, July.
    22. Jean–Luc Arregle & Lucia Naldi & Mattias Nordqvist & Michael A. Hitt, 2012. "Internationalization of Family–Controlled Firms: A Study of the Effects of External Involvement in Governance," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(6), pages 1115-1143, November.
    23. Christos N. Pitelis & David J. Teece, 2010. "Cross-border market co-creation, dynamic capabilities and the entrepreneurial theory of the multinational enterprise," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 19(4), pages 1247-1270, August.
    24. Appiah, Gloria & Bonsu, Samuel K. & Sarpong, David, 2021. "The unpowered customer: Co-creation as tactics of the weak," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 317-326.
    25. Kimpimäki, Jaan-Pauli & Malacina, Iryna & Lähdeaho, Oskari, 2022. "Open and sustainable: An emerging frontier in innovation management?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    26. Yongdang Chen & Zhiyou Han & Kunyu Cao & Xianrong Zheng & Xiaobo Xu, 2020. "Manufacturing upgrading in industry 4.0 era," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 766-771, July.
    27. Zhou, Luoqiong & Ren, Shenggang & Du, Lei & Tang, Fei & Li, Ronghua, 2023. "Is environmental labeling certification a “green passport” for firm exports in emerging economies? Evidence from China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5).
    28. Elena Golovko & Giovanni Valentini, 2011. "Exploring the complementarity between innovation and export for SMEs’ growth," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(3), pages 362-380, April.
    29. Jean-Luc Arrègle & Lucia Naldi & Mattias Nordqvist & Michael Hitt, 2012. "Internationalization of Family-Controlled Firms : A Study of the Effects of External Involvement in Governance," Post-Print hal-02312678, HAL.
    30. Desirée Blankenburg Holm & Kent Eriksson & Jan Johanson, 1996. "Business Networks and Cooperation in International Business Relationships," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 27(5), pages 1033-1053, December.
    31. Binz, Christian & Truffer, Bernhard, 2017. "Global Innovation Systems—A conceptual framework for innovation dynamics in transnational contexts," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(7), pages 1284-1298.
    32. Jonathan Doh & Pawan Budhwar & Geoffrey Wood, 2021. "Long-term energy transitions and international business: Concepts, theory, methods, and a research agenda," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 951-970, July.
    33. Wang, Kai-Hua & Umar, Muhammad & Akram, Rabia & Caglar, Ersin, 2021. "Is technological innovation making world "Greener"? An evidence from changing growth story of China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    34. Papke, Leslie E & Wooldridge, Jeffrey M, 1996. "Econometric Methods for Fractional Response Variables with an Application to 401(K) Plan Participation Rates," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 11(6), pages 619-632, Nov.-Dec..
    35. Petra Christmann & Glen Taylor, 2001. "Globalization and the Environment: Determinants of Firm Self-Regulation in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 32(3), pages 439-458, September.
    36. Eduardsen, Jonas & Marinova, Svetla Trifonova & González-Loureiro, Miguel & Vlačić, Božidar, 2022. "Business group affiliation and SMEs’ international sales intensity and diversification: A multi-country study," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    37. Yuan-Chieh Chang, 2009. "Systems of Innovation, Spatial Knowledge Links and the Firm's Innovation Performance: Towards a National-Global Complementarity View," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(9), pages 1199-1224.
    38. Jesper N Wulff & Anders R Villadsen, 2020. "Keeping it within bounds: Regression analysis of proportions in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(2), pages 244-262, March.
    39. Pitelis, Christos & Teece, David, 2009. "The (new) nature and essence of the firm," MPRA Paper 24317, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    40. Fang Wu & Rudolf R Sinkovics & S Tamer Cavusgil & Anthony S Roath, 2007. "Overcoming export manufacturers’ dilemma in international expansion," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(2), pages 283-302, March.
    41. Gimenez, Cristina & Sierra, Vicenta & Rodon, Juan, 2012. "Sustainable operations: Their impact on the triple bottom line," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 149-159.
    42. Victor B Marshall & Lance Eliot Brouthers & Dawn L Keig, 2020. "RIMS: A new approach to measuring firm internationalization," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(7), pages 1133-1141, September.
    43. B Elango & Chinmay Pattnaik, 2007. "Building capabilities for international operations through networks: a study of Indian firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 38(4), pages 541-555, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fan, Hongwei & Yin, Junming & Usman, Muhammad & Li, Zhengguang, 2024. "Intellectual property protection and total factor productivity of enterprises: A quasi-natural experiment of intellectual property courts," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eduardsen, Jonas & Marinova, Svetla Trifonova & González-Loureiro, Miguel & Vlačić, Božidar, 2022. "Business group affiliation and SMEs’ international sales intensity and diversification: A multi-country study," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(5).
    2. Martín Martín, Oscar & Chetty, Sylvie & Bai, Wensong, 2022. "Foreign market entry knowledge and international performance: The mediating role of international market selection and network capability," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    3. Tan, Danchi & Meyer, Klaus E., 2010. "Business groups' outward FDI: A managerial resources perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 154-164, June.
    4. Johanson, Martin & Martín Martín, Oscar, 2015. "The incremental expansion of Born Internationals: A comparison of new and old Born Internationals," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(3), pages 476-496.
    5. Milanov, Hana & Fernhaber, Stephanie A., 2014. "When do domestic alliances help ventures abroad? Direct and moderating effects from a learning perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 377-391.
    6. Pongelli, Claudia & Majocchi, Antonio & Bauweraerts, Jonathan & Sciascia, Salvatore & Caroli, Matteo & Verbeke, Alain, 2023. "The impact of board of directors’ characteristics on the internationalization of family SMEs," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 58(2).
    7. Kurt, Yusuf & Kurt, Mustafa, 2020. "Social network analysis in international business research: An assessment of the current state of play and future research directions," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(2).
    8. Martineau, Charles & Pastoriza, David, 2016. "International involvement of established SMEs: A systematic review of antecedents, outcomes and moderators," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 458-470.
    9. Cesinger, Beate & Hughes, Mathew & Mensching, Helge & Bouncken, Ricarda & Fredrich, Viktor & Kraus, Sascha, 2016. "A socioemotional wealth perspective on how collaboration intensity, trust, and international market knowledge affect family firms’ multinationality," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 586-599.
    10. Jean-François Hennart & Antonio Majocchi & Emanuele Forlani, 2019. "The myth of the stay-at-home family firm: How family-managed SMEs can overcome their internationalization limitations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(5), pages 758-782, July.
    11. Mikael Hilmersson & Roger Schweizer & Sylvie Chetty, 2022. "The Relationship Between Timing, Speed, and Performance in Foreign Market Network Entry," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(3), pages 325-349, June.
    12. Gammeltoft, Peter & Cuervo-Cazurra, Alvaro, 2021. "Enriching internationalization process theory: insights from the study of emerging market multinationals," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(3).
    13. Mikel Alayo & Txomin Iturralde & Amaia Maseda & Gloria Aparicio, 2021. "Mapping family firm internationalization research: bibliometric and literature review," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1517-1560, August.
    14. Del Bosco, Barbara & Cristina Bettinelli, 2020. "How Do Family SMEs Control Their Investments Abroad? The Role of Distance and Family Control," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 1-35, February.
    15. Delios, Andrew & Li, Jiatao & Schotter, Andreas P.J. & Vrontis, Demetris, 2024. "Challenging the orthodoxy in international business research: Directions for “new” research areas," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 59(4).
    16. Buckley, Peter J. & Munjal, Surender & Enderwick, Peter & Forsans, Nicolas, 2016. "Cross-border acquisitions by Indian multinationals: Asset exploitation or asset augmentation?," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 986-996.
    17. Bhatti, Waheed Akbar & Larimo, Jorma & Coudounaris, Dafnis N., 2016. "The effect of experiential learning on subsidiary knowledge and performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1567-1571.
    18. Lindstrand, Angelika & Hånell, Sara Melén, 2017. "International and market-specific social capital effects on international opportunity exploitation in the internationalization process," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(5), pages 653-663.
    19. Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Gokhan Ertug & John Cantwell & Akbar Zaheer & Martin Kilduff, 2020. "Making connections: Social networks in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(5), pages 714-736, July.
    20. Christian P. Schneider, 2024. "Implementing the Resource Nexus approach: the contribution of internationalising German businesses," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 1-13, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:33:y:2024:i:5:s096959312400026x. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/133/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.