The External Network Of Small And Medium-sized Enterprises And Innovation Performance

By reviewing the relative literature and describing the actuality in east Guangdong Province, this paper raises two questions based on the theory of Firm and Entrepreneur, Social and Capital, Resource based value. The questions as follow, are there relationships between innovation performance and external network? If so, what's that? What is the effect of the absorptive capability in these relationships? For all the members of the external network, the effect is the same? 224 questionnaires were distributed to firms in three different industries-lace and underwear, stainless steel, package printing, also including depth interviews.As for the Small and medium-sized enterprises in their network to get the valuable information, we choose size, intensity, reciprocity to measure network. Also, for the different features of the external network, we divide it into two categories-partnership based linkages and sponsorship based linkages. Then, we use comprehensive items to measure the absorptive capability and innovation performance, which are estimated by using Hierarchical regression analysis and SEM analysis. As a result, the Moderator effect and Mediator effect of Absorptive capability were confirmed, not only in the relationship of external network and innovation performance but for Partnership and Sponsorship based linkages.Base on the research conclusions and the depth interview survey result, we analysis the network, capability and performance of the enterprises completely and give some advices to the development of firms in south Guangdong and other regions. Relevant implications are drawn and limitations of the study are discussed accordingly.