IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v88y2024ics0301420723010565.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Do digitalization and intellectual capital drive sustainable open innovation of natural resources sector? Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Fucheng
  • Luo, Chunyang
  • Pan, Lu

Abstract

In the pursuit of environmentally responsible practices, the concept of sustainable Open Innovation (SOI) emerges as a crucial facilitator in mitigating the carbon emissions and ecological impact associated with natural resources extraction. SOI plays a pivotal role in reshaping the perception of natural resources, steering them from being perceived as a curse to becoming a source of prosperity. Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which enterprises within the natural resource sector can enhance sustainable open innovation for maximum advantage remain inadequately elucidated. This study addresses this gap by delving into the intricate landscape of augmenting sustainable open innovation within firms operating in the natural resource sector. Specifically, the investigation revolves around the triad of a firm's human, relational, and structural capital, collectively termed as intellectual capital (IC), and its contribution to the attainment of sustainable OI. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the interplay of digitalization in mediating the influence of intellectual capital on sustainable open innovation. The empirical exploration harnesses data from a sample of 296 firms engaged in natural resource exploitation across China's steel, iron-ore, oil, and gas domains. Employing a robust analytical approach that combines Python programming and partial least squares (PLS) analysis, the collected data undergoes rigorous processing. Our findings underscore the transformative potential of digitalization and intellectual capital as synergistic drivers capable of alchemizing the prevailing natural resource challenges into opportunities for growth. This transformation is reflected in their substantial impact on a firm's performance in sustainable open innovation. Consequently, not only does this paradigm shift enhance a firm's sustainable open innovation endeavors, but it also fortifies the overall sustainability performance of the organization. Ina nutshell, the research underscores the instrumental role of sustainable open innovation in reshaping the ecological trajectory of natural resource exploitation. By comprehending and harnessing the potency of intellectual capital alongside the catalytic role of digitalization, firms stand poised to transcend the constraints posed by the traditional notion of the “resource curse”, ultimately ushering in an era where these resources are harnessed as blessings for both the enterprise and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Fucheng & Luo, Chunyang & Pan, Lu, 2024. "Do digitalization and intellectual capital drive sustainable open innovation of natural resources sector? Evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:88:y:2024:i:c:s0301420723010565
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104345
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420723010565
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.104345?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. Chen, Hongshu & Jin, Qianqian & Wang, Ximeng & Xiong, Fei, 2022. "Profiling academic-industrial collaborations in bibliometric-enhanced topic networks: A case study on digitalization research," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    2. Hair, Joe F. & Howard, Matt C. & Nitzl, Christian, 2020. "Assessing measurement model quality in PLS-SEM using confirmatory composite analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 101-110.
    3. Mary C. Lacity & Leslie P. Willcocks, 2014. "Strange Bedfellows No More: Researching Business Process Outsourcing and Dynamic Innovation," Progress in IS, in: Rudy Hirschheim & Armin Heinzl & Jens Dibbern (ed.), Information Systems Outsourcing, edition 4, pages 37-64, Springer.
    4. Sarstedt, Marko & Ringle, Christian M. & Smith, Donna & Reams, Russell & Hair, Joseph F., 2014. "Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): A useful tool for family business researchers," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 105-115.
    5. Negin Nasri & Javad Ashrafi & Mahdi Jabbari Nooghabi, 2022. "The impact of intellectual capital on corporate economic performance in Iran in the face of sanctions," International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 19(4), pages 373-390.
    6. Brache, Jose & Felzensztein, Christian, 2019. "Exporting firm’s engagement with trade associations: Insights from Chile," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 25-35.
    7. Mahmood, Tarique & Mubarik, Muhammad Shujaat, 2020. "Balancing innovation and exploitation in the fourth industrial revolution: Role of intellectual capital and technology absorptive capacity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    8. Juho Hamari & Mimmi Sjöklint & Antti Ukkonen, 2016. "The sharing economy: Why people participate in collaborative consumption," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 67(9), pages 2047-2059, September.
    9. Birger Wernerfelt, 1984. "A resource‐based view of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(2), pages 171-180, April.
    10. Sharfuddin Ahmed Khan & Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik & Simonov Kusi‐Sarpong & Himanshu Gupta & Syed Imran Zaman & Mobashar Mubarik, 2022. "Blockchain technologies as enablers of supply chain mapping for sustainable supply chains," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 3742-3756, December.
    11. Teng, Zhong-lu & Guo, Cheng & Zhao, Qiuhan & Mubarik, Muhammad Shujaat, 2023. "Antecedents of green process innovation adoption: An AHP analysis of China's gas sector," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    12. ., 2008. "Innovation and growth," Chapters, in: Systems of Innovation, chapter 4, pages 74-89, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    13. Mohammad Hossein Khasmafkan Nezam & Ali Attafar & Ali Nasr Isfahani & Arsh Shahin, 2013. "Human Capital and New Product Development Performance Efficiency- The Mediating Role of Organizational Learning Capability," International Journal of Learning and Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 3(6), pages 79-87, December.
    14. Petraite, Monika & Mubarak, Muhammad Faraz & Rimantas, Rauleckas & von Zedtwitz, Max, 2022. "The role of international networks in upgrading national innovation systems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    15. Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik & Chandran Govindaraju & Evelyn S. Devadason, 2016. "Human capital development for SMEs in Pakistan: is the “one-size-fits-all” policy adequate?," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(8), pages 804-822, August.
    16. Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Gupta, Shivam & Busso, Donatella & Kamboj, Shampy, 2021. "Top management knowledge value, knowledge sharing practices, open innovation and organizational performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 788-798.
    17. Liu, Chia-Ling (Eunice) & Ghauri, Pervez N. & Sinkovics, Rudolf R., 2010. "Understanding the impact of relational capital and organizational learning on alliance outcomes," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 237-249, July.
    18. David J. Teece & Gary Pisano & Amy Shuen, 1997. "Dynamic capabilities and strategic management," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 18(7), pages 509-533, August.
    19. Kusi-Sarpong, Simonov & Mubarik, Muhammad Shujaat & Khan, Sharfuddin Ahmed & Brown, Steve & Mubarak, Muhammad Faraz, 2022. "Intellectual capital, blockchain-driven supply chain and sustainable production: Role of supply chain mapping," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    20. Sinan Aral & Peter Weill, 2007. "IT Assets, Organizational Capabilities, and Firm Performance: How Resource Allocations and Organizational Differences Explain Performance Variation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(5), pages 763-780, October.
    21. Muhammad Faraz Mubarak & Monika Petraite & Amran Rasli & Mubarra Shabbir, 2023. "Capability Framework to Support Supply Chain Open Innovation Networks," Management for Professionals, in: Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik & Muhammad Shahbaz (ed.), Blockchain Driven Supply Chain Management, pages 119-134, Springer.
    22. Bogers, Marcel & Foss, Nicolai J. & Lyngsie, Jacob, 2018. "The “human side” of open innovation: The role of employee diversity in firm-level openness," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 218-231.
    23. Nicola Bellantuono & Angela Nuzzi & Pierpaolo Pontrandolfo & Barbara Scozzi, 2021. "Digital Transformation Models for the I4.0 Transition: Lessons from the Change Management Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-40, November.
    24. Chowdhury, Soumyadeb & Budhwar, Pawan & Dey, Prasanta Kumar & Joel-Edgar, Sian & Abadie, Amelie, 2022. "AI-employee collaboration and business performance: Integrating knowledge-based view, socio-technical systems and organisational socialisation framework," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 31-49.
    25. Claude Diebolt & Ralph Hippe, 2022. "The Long-Run Impact of Human Capital on Innovation and Economic Growth in the Regions of Europe," Frontiers in Economic History, in: Human Capital and Regional Development in Europe, chapter 0, pages 85-115, Springer.
    26. Destek, Mehmet Akif & Adedoyin, Festus & Bekun, Festus Victor & Aydin, Sercan, 2023. "Converting a resource curse into a resource blessing: The function of institutional quality with different dimensions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    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. Shahzad, Fakhar & Zaied, Younes Ben & Shahzad, Muhammad Asim & Mahmood, Faisal, 2024. "Insights into the performance of green supply chain in the Chinese semiconductor industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 273(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. Qader, Ghulam & Junaid, Muhammad & Abbas, Qamar & Mubarik, Muhammad Shujaat, 2022. "Industry 4.0 enables supply chain resilience and supply chain performance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    2. Wei, Feiqiong & Han, Jiatong & Xu, Wei, 2024. "Exploring the nexus between structural capital, carbon neutrality and sustainable competitiveness: Evidence from natural resource exploitation in the post-COVID-19 era," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    3. Schriber, Svante & Löwstedt, Jan, 2015. "Tangible resources and the development of organizational capabilities," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 54-68.
    4. Muhammad Waqas Farooq & Faiza Nawaz & Dr. Raja Irfan Sabir, 2024. "To Gain Sustainable Competitive Advantages (SCA) Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Over Competitors," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 13(2), pages 1026-1033.
    5. Liu, Siqin & Cai, Hanquan & Cai, Xiaotong, 2023. "The paradox of digitalization, competitiveness, and sustainability: A firm-level study of natural resources exploitation in post Covid-19 for China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    6. Minerva Martínez Ávila, 2022. "Competitive Advantage and Knowledge Absorptive Capacity: the Mediating Role of Innovative Capability," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(1), pages 185-210, March.
    7. Ines Karra, 2021. "Resources and green strategic intent: towards improving the competitiveness of Tunisian industrial companies," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(4), pages 1-25, April.
    8. Behl, Abhishek & Jayawardena, Nirma & Nigam, Achint & Pereira, Vijay & Shankar, Amit & Jebarajakirthy, Charles, 2023. "Investigating the revised international marketing strategies during COVID-19 based on resources and capabilities of the firms: A mixed method approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    9. Ashish Varma & Kaushal Bhalotia & Karan Gambhir, 2020. "Innovating for competitive advantage: managerial risk-taking ability counterbalances management controls," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 24(2), pages 389-409, June.
    10. Tobias Knabke & Sebastian Olbrich, 2018. "Building novel capabilities to enable business intelligence agility: results from a quantitative study," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 493-546, August.
    11. Peter E. Harland & Zakir Uddin & Sven Laudien, 2020. "Product platforms as a lever of competitive advantage on a company-wide level: a resource management perspective," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 137-158, February.
    12. Bruno Michel Roman Pais Seles & Janaina Mascarenhas & Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Adriana Hoffman Trevisan, 2022. "Smoothing the circular economy transition: The role of resources and capabilities enablers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1814-1837, May.
    13. Arie Y Lewin & Silvia Massini & Carine Peeters, 2020. "Absorptive capacity, socially enabling mechanisms, and the role of learning from trial and error experiments: A tribute to Dan Levinthal’s contribution to international business research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(9), pages 1568-1579, December.
    14. André de Abreu Saraiva Monteiro Alves & Fernando Manuel Pereira de Oliveira Carvalho, 2022. "How Dynamic Managerial Capabilities, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and Operational Capabilities Impact Microenterprises’ Global Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, December.
    15. Claudio Vitari & Elisabetta Raguseo, 2016. "Big data value and financial performance: an empirical investigation [Digital data, dynamic capability and financial performance: an empirical investigation in the era of Big Data]," Post-Print halshs-01923271, HAL.
    16. Ahmad Ibrahim Aljumah & Mohammed T. Nuseir & Md. Mahmudul Alam, 2021. "Traditional marketing analytics, big data analytics and big data system quality and the success of new product development," Post-Print hal-03538161, HAL.
    17. David G. Sirmon & Michael A. Hitt, 2003. "Managing Resources: Linking Unique Resources, Management, and Wealth Creation in Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 339-358, October.
    18. Nils Grashof, 2020. "Sinking or swimming in the cluster labour pool? A firm-specific analysis of the effect of specialized labour," Jena Economics Research Papers 2020-006, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena.
    19. Jim Andersén, 2023. "Green resource orchestration: A critical appraisal of the use of resource orchestration in environmental management research, and a research agenda for future study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5506-5520, December.
    20. López Zapata, Esteban & García Muiña, Fernando Enrique & García, Susana María, 2019. "Analysing the relationship between diversification strategy and firm performance: the role of the economic cycle," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).

    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:jrpoli:v:88:y:2024:i:c:s0301420723010565. 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/inca/30467 .

    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.