Upgrading the technological capabilities of foreign transnational subsidiaries in developing countries: The case of electronics in Thailand

Although substantial research shows the importance of transnational corporations (TNCs) to export-led growth in some developing countries, it cannot be assumed that TNC subsidiaries will automatically upgrade their capabilities through time or in a uniform fashion. This paper explores the pattern and pace of a sample of exporting TNC subsidiaries operating in the electronics industry in Thailand, showing how the different architectures of global value chains (centralised versus decentralised) shaped the technological progress of subsidiaries in this country. The case evidence suggests a wide variety in upgrading through time, with some subsidiaries failing to develop capabilities and remaining as ‘assembly only’ plants. Other more dynamic plants developed process engineering and product design skills, investing heavily in capability building. One common determinant in capability building appears to be the overall technology strategy of the global value chain leader (or parent company). In those subsidiaries which did not upgrade beyond assembly, technology decisions and processes were tightly controlled within the parent headquarter locations in relatively centralised international value networks. By contrast, the more dynamic plants exercised more discretion over local capability building. The latter operated in relatively decentralised networks, more open to domestic policies to encourage upgrading. The study suggests that governments should tailor upgrading policies not only according to the approximate level of capabilities attained by local subsidiaries, but also according to how receptive subsidiaries are to upgrading, arguing that capability building and policy receptiveness go hand-in-hand. Other countries hoping to upgrade the quality of foreign direct investment might also wish to focus policies on the more technologically capable, ambitious and receptive categories of foreign subsidiary.     

数字化下后发企业多维能力协同机制:华为启示

数字技术的迅速普及,给企业内外部环境带来巨大的变动性。现阶段,企业急需构建动态能力,以应对内外部环境的动态变化。作为技术、管理以及市场都落后的后发企业,如何通过技术、管理与市场能力的协同演化来构建动态能力,成为现阶段后发企业应对数字化挑战的关键。基于此,本研究采用案例研究法,以中国华为公司为研究对象,通过追踪华为公司追赶过程中的技术学习、管理学习以及市场扩张行动,探究其管理能力、技术能力、市场能力协同演化机制。研究发现,首先,“管理-技术-市场”能力协同演化推动后发企业形成应对环境震荡的动态能力,其中,管理能力为企业技术与市场能力积累提供管理基础,技术为市场能力的积累提供产品基础,市场能力对企业技术与管理能力具有资源反哺效应;其次,技术学习、管理学习、市场扩张是后发企业获取与改进技术、管理以及市场能力的重要渠道;最后,在不同追赶阶段,后发企业的能力积累依赖于差异化的技术学习、管理学习以及市场扩张战略。案例企业的追赶过程显示,案例企业通过技术学习、管理学习以及市场扩张的方式实现三维能力的协同演化以及可持续追赶,具体而言,其技术学习行动的阶段性演化特征为：产品仿制引发的技术学习,产品改进引发的技术学习,技术应用与推广引发的技术学习,全球创新网络引发的技术学习;其管理学习行动的阶段性演化特征为：产品质量改善导向的管理学习,组织（机构）建设导向的管理学习,流程改进导向的管理学习,流程融通导向的管理学习;其市场经验积累的阶段性演化特征为：来自于低端市场的经验积累-来自于中高端市场的经验积累-来自于国际中低端市场的经验积累-来自于国际高端市场的经验积累。对现阶段后发企业制定追赶战略而言,本研究主要管理启示为：首先,应对数字化下的环境动态性,后发企业应注重推进多维能力协同演化;其次,针对不同追赶阶段,后发企业应该根据其所处阶段特征制定相应的管理、技术、市场能力改善战略;最后,后发国家应该为国内企业提供有助于其多维能力协同演化的支持政策,推动后发企业实现管理能力、技术能力、市场能力的协同演化,进而全面推动后发企业实现可持续追赶。     

Shared inventions and the evolution of capabilities: Examining the biotechnology industry

Do capabilities evolve differently as a function of the firm's unique ties or through the cumulative exposure to specific types of knowledge? We view capability evolution with respect to a firm's accumulation of knowledge-derived assets—patents. This study proposes that capabilities evolve by way of a firm's solo and joint invention experiences, and contends that these capabilities are uniquely shaped by the firm's history of patenting with two specific types of ties, upstream and downstream partners. Using a sample of 11,593 patents produced by 256 biotechnology firms from 1985 to 2006, we find that prior joint invention experience diversifies the capabilities of the firm and broadens its strategic options. In uncovering an inverted ‘U’ relationship, we also find that capabilities evolve differently according to the firm's unique joint invention experiences. Moreover, firms that continue to engage in more joint invention experiences develop broader capabilities than firms that retreat from this strategy and pursue solo inventions, whereby more specialized capabilities develop. Focusing on how R&D strategies impact capability development, our findings extend research on capabilities by accounting for how the path dependent role of shared property rights influences the technological trajectory of the firm.     

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled CRM capability in healthcare: The impact on service innovation

Although AI-enabled customer relationship management (CRM) systems have gained momentum in healthcare to enhance performance, there is a striking dearth of knowledge on how such capabilities are formed and affect service innovation. The study adopted a mixed-method approach to investigate the underlying phenomena. This research infused resource-based theory, dynamic capability theory, and theory of productivity paradox to investigate how healthcare in India acquires AI-enabled CRM capabilities and enhances service innovation. We identified the facets of AI-enabled CRM capabilities using a case study and developed a framework for AI-enabled CRM capability and service innovation. This study noticed that customer service flexibility (CSF) is a missing link in this relationship. The findings of the quantitative study employing PLS-SEM reveal the linear relationships between AI-enabled CRM capability, CSF, and service innovation. This study explains the formation of AI-enabled CRM capabilities to fill the research gap and direct innovative performance in healthcare, which is an immediate need to sustain in a volatile environment. This study provides theoretical implications to enhance the research stream and practical implications for decision-makers.     

知识嵌入的企业动态能力与组织绩效关系研究

本文从知识管理视角分析企业动态能力的构建,并以动态能力作为知识管理和组织绩效中介变量,分析动态能力有效地应对环境变化,揭示其与企业绩效的关系。本文选取了6家电子通讯类企业与6家制药企业作为研究对象,结果表明,知识管理、动态能力与组织绩效有显著的正相关关系。本次研究对探讨动态能力培育路径以及战略管理理论和实践有所借鉴。     

The role of business analytics capabilities in bolstering firms’ agility and performance

Many companies invest considerable resources in developing Business Analytics (BA) capabilities to improve their performance. BA can affect performance in many different ways. This paper analyses how BA capabilities affect firms’ agility through information quality and innovative capability. Furthermore, it studies the moderating role of environmental turbulence, both technological and in the market. The proposed model was tested using statistical data from 154 firms with two respondents (CEO and CIO) from each firm. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares (PLS)/Structured Equation Modelling (SEM). Our results indicate that BA capabilities strongly impact a firm’s agility through an increase in information quality and innovative capability. We also discuss that both market and technological turbulence moderate the influence of firms' agility on firms' performance.     

能力、资源与核心能力形成分析

本在对能力与资源以及核心能力等概念进行剖析的基础上，分析了企业所拥有的资源如何在外界环境与内部制度等的规制下相互作用产生能力、能力有效组合形成企业的核心能力，并进一步分析了如何有效地对资源、能力与核心能力进行管理，从而最终提高企业的竞争力。     

The role of social media in the engagement and information processes of social CRM

This study furthers investigation into exactly how Social CRM (S-CRM) is different from traditional CRM, and models the interrelationships between its capabilities. It is underpinned in dynamic capabilities theory, to explain how social media, as a resource all organizations use, can lead to differing performance outcomes. It is underpinned in seminal research into traditional CRM, but which does not cater for the disruptive nature of social media. We outline how S-CRM is a second-order dynamic capability consistng of a set of first-order integrative dynamic capabiliies that, when properly interrelated, lead to performance outcomes. We particularly model the role of S-CRM front- and back-office technology capabilities, customer engagement initiatives, and social information processes in driving customer relationship performance. Findings show that S-CRM is different from traditional CRM in a range of ways in the front- and back-offices, and provide a framework for researcher and managers in information systems and marketing to operate at strategic and tactical levels within S-CRM, while being congisant of both.     

University capabilities in facilitating entrepreneurship: A longitudinal study of spin-off ventures at mid-range universities

This paper investigated how universities facilitate the process of spin-off venture formation based on academic research. Building on a capability perspective, we add to the literature on university characteristics and resources by exploring how the university context impacts the entrepreneurial process. We based our study on two mid-range universities and followed the start-up process of four spin-off ventures. Based on the results of our longitudinal study, we propose a set of three university capabilities that facilitate the venture-formation process: (1) creating new paths of action, (2) balancing both academic and commercial interests, and (3) integrating new resources. Each capability is particularly important for specific phases in the venturing process. Our findings suggest that these capabilities are dependent on prior spin-off experience and reside within several actors both inside and outside of the university. Furthermore, universities with weaknesses in the identified areas can take strategic action to develop these capabilities to some degree.     

中小制造企业技术创新能力演化机理研究

本研究基于供应链整合的视角,通过对3家中小制造企业的纵贯式多案例研究,探索企业如何通过供应链整合推动技术创新能力演化的内在机理。研究结果显示：（1）在供应链整合情境下,技术创新能力的演化呈现出一种从低阶到高阶的动态过程,遵循这“局部型技术创新能力--定制化技术创新能力--协同型技术创新能力”的路径。（2）供应链整合作为中小制造企业一种关键性的创新实践,是影响技术创新能力演化升级的重要因素,并会随之存在模式的动态转变。（3）在此基础上,企业通过“能力积累--能力延伸--能力跃迁”的作用机理实现技术创新能力的演化升级。     

复杂动态环境下企业战略转型的过程机制研究/FONT

    摘要：战略转型作为企业对动态变化环境的一种适应,对企业可持续发展具有重要作用。而企业动态能力作为一种改变能力的能力,对企业战略转型具有重大影响。因此,本研究从动态能力理论的视角分析企业战略转型的过程传导机制,认为转型背景下的动态能力由环境洞察能力、学习吸收能力、变革更新能力及整合重构能力构成,提出了企业动态能力、战略转型要素和转型成功之间的关系模型框架。随后的纵向案例研究表明：(1)企业在动态变化的环境下能够实施战略转型并获得成功的前提与关键是具有与环境变化相匹配的动态能力,动态能力通过影响战略转型的关键要素,进而在很大程度上决定了转型成效;(2)动态能力对战略转型的影响是持续进行、不断提升的过程,企业只有持续培育和提升动态能力,才能顺利推进转型。       

Technological capability strength/asymmetry and supply chain process innovation: The contingent roles of institutional environments

Despite the importance of process innovation in fostering supply chain competitiveness, existing studies primarily emphasize product innovation and overlook institutional environments. This study builds on the dyadic capability-based view and institutional theory to investigate how buyer's and supplier's technological capabilities jointly affect supply chain process innovation in China. We differentiate between two distinct dimensions, technological capability strength and technological capability asymmetry, and propose that technological capability strength negatively influences supply chain process innovation whereas technological capability asymmetry promotes such innovation. We also examine how formal (i.e., government intervention) and informal (i.e., guanxi importance) institutional factors moderate the effects of technological capability strength and asymmetry on supply chain process innovation. Empirical analyses based on 157 buyer–supplier dyads in China offer strong support for our hypotheses, which provide important implications for the supply chain innovation collaboration literature and managerial practice.     

Embedding with multiple knowledge sources to improve innovation performance: the learning experience of Motorola in Brazil

This article explores how a subsidiary of a multi-national enterprise (MNE) in an emerging economy embeds with multiple knowledge sources, both in its corporate network (internal) and in the host country (external), to create the capability to undertake innovative activities. Drawing on first-hand and intra-firm field evidence over the lifetime of a subsidiary in the information and communications technology industry in Brazil (1996–2009) the article finds that: (1) Within 10 years, the case subsidiary attained advanced, near-world leading innovation performance in three technological functions: project management, software engineering and product and solutions; (2) This was an outcome of how the firm simultaneously engaged in knowledge-intensive linkages based on increased frequency of use and improved quality over time, with specific internal and external counterparts; (3) However, some counterparts and linkages were more effective than others in contributing to the subsidiary's innovation performance. Drawing on a novel approach that examines the relationship between dual embeddedness and innovative performance, this article extends our understanding of embeddedness as part of knowledge-seeking strategies of MNE-subsidiaries. It also provides new insights to deepen the analysis of the nuances of subsidiaries’ multiple embeddedness, especially in emerging economies.     

何种能力组态能够带来企业竞争优势？——动态环境下新创企业与成熟企业的比较

组织能力一直是创业与战略管理领域研究的焦点。然而,现有研究对新创企业和成熟企业如何在不同环境动态性水平下运用组织能力形成企业竞争优势尚未达成共识。根据企业发展阶段和环境动态性将企业所处的动态情境划分为C1(新创企业-低环境动态性)、C2(新创企业-高环境动态性)、C3(成熟企业-低环境动态性)、C4(成熟企业-高环境动态性)四种状态。基于能力的组态视角,通过模糊集定性比较分析方法探究运营能力(资产性资源和职能能力)、动态能力(感知能力和利用能力)、即兴能力(创造性和自发性)六个前因条件在上述四种情境下影响企业竞争优势的路径。通过对286份来自企业中高层管理者的调查问卷进行分析,研究结果显示：(1)无论哪种情境,任一前因条件均不构成企业高竞争优势的必要条件,但是运营能力在形成企业竞争优势方面发挥着更加普遍的作用。(2)研究发现了组织能力驱动企业高竞争优势路径的5种类型：双能力直接驱动型、即兴能力间接驱动型、即兴能力直接驱动型、动态能力间接驱动型、双能力间接驱动型。(3)无论处于何种环境动态性水平,新创企业和成熟企业能力组态均存在差异。(4)无论企业处于何种生命周期阶段,高环境动态性和低环境动态性下即兴能力和动态能力对企业竞争优势的驱动路径存在差异。研究发现对于组织能力驱动企业竞争优势具有重要的理论与实践意义。     

面向外部导向的创新能力提升研究:机制与情境

探讨企业如何面向外部环境来实现创新能力提升,提出市场导向和社会资本是创新基础,外部学习是主要方式,组织资本会作为情境条件而影响作用。并利用184家企业样本进行实证研究,结果表明:市场导向和社会资本不仅直接影响创新能力,还会通过外部学习为中介来促进创新能力提升,组织资本负向调节外部学习与创新能力之间的关系。     

动态环境中企业知识管理与创新能力关系研究

转型经济背景下,如何提高企业自主创新能力不仅是战略性实践问题,也是重要的研究议题。基于知识创造的动态理论,本文构建了动态环境中企业知识管理(包括知识积累与共享)与创新能力关系模型,并基于257家国内企业的调查数据进行实证检验。发现:知识积累与知识内、外共享均有利于提高企业创新能力,其中:知识积累对创新能力具有递增的边际贡献、外部知识共享与创新能力具有倒U型关系。环境动态性对知识积累与创新能力关系具有显著调节效应,但随着知识积累水平提高,调节强度减弱。企业内、外部知识共享间具有此长彼消的关系,验证了利用与探索在对创新能力贡献中对立统一的二元关系。文章最后讨论了本研究发现的理论贡献与实践意义。     

复杂产品系统制造企业的动态能力演化：一个纵向案例研究

通过国家重点大型企业大连机车1986~2010年的纵向案例研究,本文考察了影响复杂产品系统创新的三个动态能力维度(市场感知能力、多组织协同控制能力和组织学习吸收能力)在创新国际化三阶段过程中的变化。研究发现:(1)动态能力演化过程伴随着企业的发展与成长呈递增状态;(2)在产品创新国际化的不同阶段,三个能力维度在动态能力构成中的主导作用不同;(3)在产品创新国际化的不同阶段,三个能力维度的变化趋势和速度不同。论文工作拓展了对动态能力内涵及其演化过程的理解,对复杂产品系统企业的产品创新亦具有一定的启示意义。     

知识源战略、动态能力对探索式创新绩效的影响—基于知识密集型服务企业的实证

利用214家中国知识密集型服务企业的样本数据,实证检验了知识源广度和深度及其平衡如何影响企业的探索式创新绩效,以及动态能力在知识源广度和深度与探索式创新绩效关系间如何发挥中介和调节作用。研究结果表明提高知识源广度和深度均有利于提升企业的探索式创新绩效,其中,知识源广度比深度更有利于改善探索式创新绩效,但知识源广度与深度的平衡对探索式创新绩效的提升无显著影响;感知能力和转化能力在知识源广度和深度与探索式创新绩效之间均起到部分中介作用,但资本能力仅能够正向调节知识源深度对探索式创新绩效的提升。     

Catching up and leapfrogging in a high-tech manufacturing industry: towards a firm-level taxonomy of knowledge accumulation

Latecomer firms from emerging economies upgrade their technological capabilities by providing original equipment manufacturer (OEM) services to multi-national enterprises from advanced countries and extend their role across the global value chains. Existing firm-level taxonomies of knowledge accumulation cannot explain why most latecomer firms fail to transit to advanced levels in high-tech manufacturing industries. The proposed framework combines firm-level taxonomy of knowledge accumulation with catch-up trajectory to argue that, under the knowledge regime of a high-tech manufacturing industry, latecomers’ learning experience differs from those as posited by previous studies. Using the integrated circuit industry as the empirical anchor, this paper shows that firms undergo ‘critical transition’ in learning which involves sustainable innovative capacity and momentum-generation to reach the advanced level. It shows how OEMs build knowledge to leapfrog incumbents without competing with their branded customers. Throughout the process, inter-firm collaboration and open innovation are critical sources of knowledge.     

管理者认知特征与企业创新能力关系研究

企业创新能力是实现“创新驱动转型”战略的微观基础,因此提升企业创新能力是个重要议题。许多学者探索了如何提升创新能力,但对哪些因素驱动企业创新能力本身动态发展解释不足。整合动态能力理论与认知理论,从管理认知视角出发,利用国内419个企业样本,本文对高管人员的管理认知与企业创新能力提升间关系进行实证研究。发现：（1）高管人员的管理认知是构建企业创新能力的关键性驱动因素;（2）高管人员对内部资源与对外部环境的认知在提升创新能力过程中,存在复杂的交互效应;（3）高管人员驱动企业创新能力构建中,呈现出“自内向外”的资源驱动而不是“由外向内”的机会拉动的特征。文章最后讨论了理论贡献、管理意义及局限性。