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Building exploration and exploitation in the high-tech industry: The role of relationship learning

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  • Wang, Chao-Hung
  • Hsu, Li-Chang

Abstract

This study advances prior theoretical research by linking relationship learning to exploratory and exploitative innovations. Findings indicate that relationship learning contributes significantly to both exploratory and exploitative innovations. We argue that power asymmetry needs to be taken into account to fully understand the effectiveness of relationship learning. We present a model for analyzing relationship learning, power asymmetry, as well as their impacts on innovative outcome. Specifically, using a sample of 241 high-tech firms, we find that power asymmetry does not significantly moderate the impact of relationship learning on exploratory innovation. However, power asymmetry significantly increases the impact of relationship learning on exploitative innovation. Hence, this study contributes to the debate on the role of relationship learning on generating exploration and exploitation, not only by examining how relationship learning impacts specific innovative outcomes, but also by revealing how the impact of relationship learning is moderated by power asymmetry.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chao-Hung & Hsu, Li-Chang, 2014. "Building exploration and exploitation in the high-tech industry: The role of relationship learning," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 331-340.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:81:y:2014:i:c:p:331-340
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.04.008
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    3. Li-Wei Wu & Chen-Yu Lin, 2018. "Innovation Benefited by Relationship Learning," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 17(1), pages 55-72, June.
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    5. Hanyu Zhu & Kailing Zhang & Gang Li & Lin Chen & Xijie Zhao, 2022. "Relationship Management Capability and Service Innovation Performance: The Joint-Effect of Relationship Learning and Competitive Intensity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.
    6. Stephanie Lange & Marcus Wagner, 2021. "The influence of exploratory versus exploitative acquisitions on innovation output in the biotechnology industry," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 659-680, February.
    7. Jensen, Are & Clausen, Tommy H., 2017. "Origins and emergence of exploration and exploitation capabilities in new technology-based firms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 163-175.
    8. Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio, 2019. "Trading knowledge for status: Conceptualizing R&D alliance formation to achieve ambidexterity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 36-42.
    9. Ali, Murad, 2021. "Imitation or innovation: To what extent do exploitative learning and exploratory learning foster imitation strategy and innovation strategy for sustained competitive advantage?✰," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    10. Yasser Alizadeh & Antonie J. Jetter, 2019. "Pathways for Balancing Exploration and Exploitation in Innovations: A Review and Expansion of Ambidexterity Theory," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(05), pages 1-33, August.
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    15. Jingbei Wang & Naiding Yang, 2019. "Dynamics of collaboration network community and exploratory innovation: the moderation of knowledge networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(2), pages 1067-1084, November.
    16. Xiaoli Li & Kun Li & Hao Zhou, 2022. "Impact of Inventor’s Cooperation Network on Ambidextrous Innovation in Chinese AI Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
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    19. Colin Gallagher & Dean Lusher & Johan Koskinen & Bopha Roden & Peng Wang & Aaron Gosling & Anastasios Polyzos & Martina Stenzel & Sarah Hegarty & Thomas Spurling & Gregory Simpson, 2023. "Network patterns of university-industry collaboration: A case study of the chemical sciences in Australia," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(8), pages 4559-4588, August.
    20. Heuschneider, Sara & Herstatt, Cornelius, 2016. "External search for exploration of future discontinuities and trends: Implications from the literature using co-citation and content analysis," Working Papers 92, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute for Technology and Innovation Management.
    21. Xie, Xuemei & Wang, Hongwei & García, Javier Sendra, 2021. "How does customer involvement in service innovation motivate service innovation performance? The roles of relationship learning and knowledge absorptive capacity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 630-643.
    22. Jing A. Zhang & Xiling Cui, 2017. "In Search Of The Effects Of Business And Political Ties On Innovation Ambidexterity," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(02), pages 1-27, February.

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