Research On The Mechanisms And Effects Of Innovation Network Embeddedness From An International Perspective

In the era of globalization, internationalization has become an inevitable choice for Chinese enterprises to respond effectively to global competition. Over the past few decades, China’s opening-up policy has attracted a large number of multinational companies entering the Chinese mainland, which not only provided opportunities for Chinese local enterprises embedded into global innovation networks, but also promoted Chinese enterprises "going out" to compete globally. On the basis of existing researches, this dissertation introduces the concept of knowledge structures, innovation network embeddedness and firm outward internationalization, so as to examine the mechanisms and effects of innovation network embeddedness from an international perspective, and reveal outward internationalization paths of Chinese enterprises through the embeddedness of global innovation networks.Firstly, based on the concept definition of knowledge structures, innovation network embeddedness and outward internationalization, this dissertation discusses several relevant theoretical bases, including "structure-conduct-performance"(SCP) paradigm, the knowledge-based view of the firm, upper echelon theory, social network theory and internationalization theory. Then, by absorbing core elements in the above theories, this dissertation proposes a conceptual model of "The mechanisms and effects of innovation network embeddedness from the perspective of internationalization". Based on the model, this dissertation analyzes theoretically the relationship between knowledge structures and innovation network embeddedness, and the relationship between innovation network embeddedness structure and firm outward internationalization, and then proposes the corresponding hypotheses.Secondly, by taking Chinese listed companies in high-technology industry as samples, the research hypotheses are tested empirically with econometric methods. The results show that:(1) Top Management Team (TMT) knowledge structures, measured in terms of educational level and international experiences, positively influence equity-based network embeddedness of Chinese enterprises. By contrast, organizational knowledge structures, including technology knowledge heterogeneity and internationalization experiential knowledge, have a significant positive effect on contractual-based network embeddedness.(2) The strong ties (direct ties) in equity-based network have a positive impact on outward foreign direct investment (FDI) of Chinese enterprises, while the contractual-based network can enhance outward FDI by strong ties (direct ties), and also promote export performance through a network of weak ties (indirect ties). However, contrary to our expectations, no relationships are found between structural embeddedness of both equity-based and contractual-based network and Chinese firm’s outward internationalization.Finally, according to the theoretical and empirical analysis, this dissertation discusses the implications for Chinese firms and governments. Chinese enterprises should take advantage of global innovation network resources to achieve "going out" strategy. Specifically, under different strategic orientation of outward internationalization, Chinese enterprises should embedded into different types of innovation network in accordance with their own knowledge structure, so as to improve performance of export and outward FDI. Meanwhile, the government should combine "bringing in" and "going out" strategy together, and facilitate Chinese enterprises to actively exploit external network resources by nurturing local innovation network and improving local innovation environment, so as to enhance their international competitiveness.