IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v183y2024ics0148296324003588.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Making platform firms’ competitive advantage sustainable: The roles of network orchestration capabilities and collaborative innovation

Author

Listed:
  • Wang, Tao
  • Zhao, Xiying
  • Wang, Xin

Abstract

Currently, platform firms lack a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA). Most studies on platform firms’ SCA have adopted a market, rather than a resource, perspective. However, compared with traditional firms, platform firms are highly dependent on external resources, establish close ties with network members. Thus, this research introduces Network Orchestration Theory, defines platform firms as sponsor–orchestrators, rather than player–orchestrators as in existing studies, and develops a theoretical model in which network orchestration capabilities enhance SCA via collaborative innovation, and environmental complexity moderates the main effect. The regression results from Chinese platform firms show that network orchestration capabilities (knowledge mobility, innovation appropriability and network stability) enhanced platform firms’ SCA, collaborative innovation mediated, and environmental complexity weakened the positive effect of innovation appropriability on SCA. This research provides suggestions for platform firms’ SCA, supports research on the classification of network orchestrators, and advances platform research and Network Orchestration Theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Tao & Zhao, Xiying & Wang, Xin, 2024. "Making platform firms’ competitive advantage sustainable: The roles of network orchestration capabilities and collaborative innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:183:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324003588
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114854
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296324003588
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114854?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. Zhong, Qi & Sun, Yaowu, 2020. "The more the better? Relational governance in platforms and the role of appropriability mechanisms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 62-73.
    2. Belezas, Fernando & Daniel, Ana Dias, 2023. "Innovation in the sharing economy: A systematic literature review and research framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Benoit, Sabine & Wang, Yonggui & Teng, Lefa & Hampson, Daniel P. & Li, Xia, 2022. "Innovation in the sharing economy: A framework and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 207-216.
    4. Jean-Charles Rochet & Jean Tirole, 2003. "Platform Competition in Two-Sided Markets," Journal of the European Economic Association, MIT Press, vol. 1(4), pages 990-1029, June.
    5. Loginova, Oksana, 2022. "Branded websites and marketplace selling: Competing during COVID-19," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 577-592.
    6. Wang, Yonggui & Tian, Qinghong & Li, Xia & Xiao, Xiaohong, 2022. "Different roles, different strokes: How to leverage two types of digital platform capabilities to fuel service innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1121-1128.
    7. E. Glen Weyl, 2010. "A Price Theory of Multi-sided Platforms," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(4), pages 1642-1672, September.
    8. I. Khelladi & S. Castellano & J. Hobeika & M. Perano & D. Rutambuka, 2022. "Customer Knowledge Hiding Behavior in Service Multi-Sided Platforms," Post-Print hal-04445044, HAL.
    9. Cuthbertson, Richard W. & Furseth, Peder Inge, 2022. "Digital services and competitive advantage: Strengthening the links between RBV, KBV, and innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 168-176.
    10. Hossain, Md Afnan & Akter, Shahriar & Yanamandram, Venkata & Strong, Carolyn, 2024. "Navigating the platform economy: Crafting a customer analytics capability instrument," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    11. Yang, Miaomiao & Wang, Juanru & Zhang, Xiaodi, 2021. "Boundary-spanning search and sustainable competitive advantage: The mediating roles of exploratory and exploitative innovations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 290-299.
    12. Tim Rowley & Dean Behrens & David Krackhardt, 2000. "Redundant governance structures: an analysis of structural and relational embeddedness in the steel and semiconductor industries," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 369-386, March.
    13. Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, Pia & Olander, Heidi & Blomqvist, Kirsimarja & Panfilii, Victoria, 2012. "Orchestrating R&D networks: Absorptive capacity, network stability, and innovation appropriability," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 552-563.
    14. Gorwa, Robert, 2019. "What is Platform Governance?," SocArXiv fbu27, Center for Open Science.
    15. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & David P. McIntyre & Arati Srinivasan, 2017. "Networks, platforms, and strategy: Emerging views and next steps," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 141-160, January.
    16. Wang, Changfeng & Hu, Qiying, 2020. "Knowledge sharing in supply chain networks: Effects of collaborative innovation activities and capability on innovation performance," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 94.
    17. Helfat, Constance E. & Raubitschek, Ruth S., 2018. "Dynamic and integrative capabilities for profiting from innovation in digital platform-based ecosystems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1391-1399.
    18. Zeng, Jing & Mahdi Tavalaei, M. & Khan, Zaheer, 2021. "Sharing economy platform firms and their resource orchestration approaches," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 451-465.
    19. David J. Teece, 2007. "Explicating dynamic capabilities: the nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(13), pages 1319-1350, December.
    20. Oksana Loginova, 2022. "Branded Websites and Marketplace Selling: Competing during COVID-19," Working Papers 2202, Department of Economics, University of Missouri.
    21. Chi, Maomao & Wang, Weijun & Lu, Xinyuan & George, Joey F., 2018. "Antecedents and outcomes of collaborative innovation capabilities on the platform collaboration environment," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 273-283.
    22. Jing Zeng & Yunlu Yang & Soo Hee Lee, 2023. "Resource Orchestration and Scaling‐up of Platform‐Based Entrepreneurial Firms: The Logic of Dialectic Tuning," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(3), pages 605-638, May.
    23. Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, Pia & Möller, Kristian & Nätti, Satu, 2022. "Orchestrating innovation networks: Alignment and orchestration profile approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 170-188.
    24. Su, Hung-Chung & Kao, Ta-Wei (Daniel) & Linderman, Kevin, 2020. "Where in the supply chain network does ISO 9001 improve firm productivity?," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 283(2), pages 530-540.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Jan Frederic Nerbel & Markus Kreutzer, 2023. "Digital platform ecosystems in flux: From proprietary digital platforms to wide-spanning ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Tobias Wulfert & Robert Woroch & Gero Strobel & Sarah Seufert & Frederik Möller, 2022. "Developing design principles to standardize e-commerce ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 1813-1842, December.
    3. Shi, Xianwei & Liang, Xingkun & Luo, Yining, 2023. "Unpacking the intellectual structure of ecosystem research in innovation studies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(6).
    4. Tobias Wulfert & Robert Woroch & Gero Strobel & Thorsten Schoormann & Leonardo Banh, 2024. "E-commerce ecosystems as catalysts for sustainability: A multi-case analysis," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-21, December.
    5. Inoue, Yuki, 2021. "Indirect innovation management by platform ecosystem governance and positioning: Toward collective ambidexterity in the ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    6. Jingtao Yi & Jinqiu He & Lihong Yang, 2019. "Platform heterogeneity, platform governance and complementors’ product performance: an empirical study of the mobile application industry," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.
    7. Andreas Hein & Maximilian Schreieck & Tobias Riasanow & David Soto Setzke & Manuel Wiesche & Markus Böhm & Helmut Krcmar, 2020. "Digital platform ecosystems," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(1), pages 87-98, March.
    8. Jørgen Veisdal, 2020. "The dynamics of entry for digital platforms in two-sided markets: a multi-case study," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(3), pages 539-556, September.
    9. Satish Nambisan & Shaker A. Zahra & Yadong Luo, 2019. "Global platforms and ecosystems: Implications for international business theories," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(9), pages 1464-1486, December.
    10. Jing Zeng & Yunlu Yang & Soo Hee Lee, 2023. "Resource Orchestration and Scaling‐up of Platform‐Based Entrepreneurial Firms: The Logic of Dialectic Tuning," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(3), pages 605-638, May.
    11. Poell, Thomas & Nieborg, David & van Dijck, José, 2019. "Platformisation," Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), Berlin, vol. 8(4), pages 1-13.
    12. Bonomi Santos, Juliana & Fernandes, Aline Rodrigues & de Oliveira, Pedro Tonhozi & Maia, Laís Moltene & Partyka, Raul Beal, 2023. "Increasing entrepreneurial ecosystem-level outcomes through orchestration: A proposed framework," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    13. Zahid Sarwar & Jingmei Gao & Adnan Khan, 2024. "Nexus of digital platforms, innovation capability, and strategic alignment to enhance innovation performance in the Asia Pacific region: a dynamic capability perspective," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 867-901, June.
    14. Tindara Abbate & Anna Codini & Barbara Aquilani & Demetris Vrontis, 2022. "From Knowledge Ecosystems to Capabilities Ecosystems: When Open Innovation Digital Platforms Lead to Value Co-creation," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(1), pages 290-304, March.
    15. Liao, Zhongju & Chen, Jie & Chen, Xueli & Song, Malin, 2024. "Digital platform capability, environmental innovation quality, and firms’ competitive advantage: The moderating role of environmental uncertainty," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    16. Zeng, Jing, 2022. "Orchestrating ecosystem resources in a different country: Understanding the integrative capabilities of sharing economy platform multinational corporations," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(6).
    17. Basaure, Arturo & Vesselkov, Alexandr & Töyli, Juuso, 2020. "Internet of things (IoT) platform competition: Consumer switching versus provider multihoming," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 90.
    18. Sjödin, David & Liljeborg, Alexander & Mutter, Sermed, 2024. "Conceptualizing ecosystem management capabilities: Managing the ecosystem-organization interface," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    19. Hou, Hong & Shi, Yongjiang, 2021. "Ecosystem-as-structure and ecosystem-as-coevolution: A constructive examination," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    20. Yuki Inoue & Masataka Hashimoto & Takeshi Takenaka, 2019. "Effectiveness of Ecosystem Strategies for the Sustainability of Marketplace Platform Ecosystems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-33, October.

    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:jbrese:v:183:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324003588. 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/locate/jbusres .

    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.