Impact of Enterprise Innovation Network Characteristics on Relationship Learning: Mediating Effect of Absorptive Capacity

Abstract

Through analyzing the relationship among innovation network characteristics, enterprise absorptive capacity and relationship learning, this study constructs a theoretical model about the impact of enterprise innovation network characteristics on relationship learning, and further introduces absorptive capacity as a mediating variable to discuss the mechanism among them. Based on a sample data of 205 questionnaires, the empirical results show that the relationship strength and relationship quality of enterprise innovation network characteristics have positive impact on relationship learning. Three dimensions of absorptive capacity, namely, knowledge acquisition capacity, knowledge digestion capacity and knowledge application capacity, have positive effects on relationship learning. Among the characteristics of enterprise innovation network, network size, network centrality and relationship quality have positive influence on absorptive capacity of enterprises. Knowledge acquisition capacity, knowledge digestion capacity and knowledge application capacity play a partial mediating role in the influence of relationship strength and relationship quality on relationship learning.