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Boundary-spanning search and sustainable competitive advantage: The mediating roles of exploratory and exploitative innovations

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  • Yang, Miaomiao
  • Wang, Juanru
  • Zhang, Xiaodi

Abstract

Although the critical role of boundary-spanning search in facilitating sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) has been recognized, how boundary-spanning search affects SCA under the conditions that competitors also search remains unclear. By considering competition, this study divides boundary-spanning search into proactive and responsive searches, and develops a theoretical model, in which proactive and responsive searches respectively influence exploratory and exploitative innovations, and subsequently enhance SCA. Empirical results from Chinese advanced manufacturing firms show that proactive and responsive searches have inverted U- shaped effects on SCA. Additionally, when the levels of proactive and responsive searches are low and moderate, exploratory innovation plays a complementary mediating role between proactive search and SCA, whereas exploitative innovation plays a complementary mediating role between responsive search and SCA. When considering competition, this study offers a crucial condition under which exploratory and exploitative innovations can transform the efforts of boundary-spanning search to SCA.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Miaomiao & Wang, Juanru & Zhang, Xiaodi, 2021. "Boundary-spanning search and sustainable competitive advantage: The mediating roles of exploratory and exploitative innovations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 290-299.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:127:y:2021:i:c:p:290-299
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.01.032
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