Relational embeddedness, exploratory learning and firm technological innovation performance

Abstract

The research suggests a conceptual model about the impacts of relational embeddedness on the technological firm innovation performance through exploratory learning, and examines the influencing mechanism among relational embeddedness, exploratory learning and technological innovation performance by carrying out studies on 178 manufacturing firms. The hypotheses in the research are partially supported by the result, which supports that trust and joint problem solving between enterprises can promote the acquisition and application of new knowledge which in turn exerts positive effects on technological innovation performance. The application of new knowledge partially plays a mediating effect in the mechanism through which the acquisition of new knowledge influences technological innovation performance. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.