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The more the better? Relational governance in platforms and the role of appropriability mechanisms

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  • Zhong, Qi
  • Sun, Yaowu

Abstract

This paper explores the mechanism by which relational governance affects product innovation and the moderating role of legal and technological appropriability mechanisms. An empirical study of questionnaire survey data on 121 high-tech platform leading firms in China found that the two dimensions of relational governance have different impacts on product innovation. Joint planning positively affects product innovation, while joint problem solving exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with product innovation. Second, while the appropriability mechanism plays a moderating role in the above process, there are differences in the moderating roles played by different appropriability mechanisms. Intellectual property rights strengthen the impact of joint planning on product innovation, while contracts and interface standardization weaken the inverted U-shaped relationship between joint problem solving and product innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhong, Qi & Sun, Yaowu, 2020. "The more the better? Relational governance in platforms and the role of appropriability mechanisms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 62-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:108:y:2020:i:c:p:62-73
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.10.021
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