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How does collaborative relationship ending affect the focal inventor’s innovation?

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  • Lu, Yanhong
  • Zhang, Hongjuan
  • Qian, Shanshan
  • Lin, Runhui

Abstract

Collaboration is closely linked to innovation, yet little is known about how collaborative relationship ending affects individual innovation. This study, grounded in social network theory, develops and tests a model linking the focal inventor’s collaborative relationship ending with innovation. It also examines how internal exploration capability and external exploration capability, along with tie strength, moderate this relationship. Analyzing Huawei’s 1,531 inventors’ patent data filed in China from 2004 to 2013, the results reveal that the focal inventor’s collaborative relationship ending has a negative effect on innovation. Additionally, the focal inventor’s internal exploration capability enhances this effect, while the focal inventor’s external exploration capability weakens it. The negative impact is most pronounced when internal exploration capability is high and the tie strength is weak. This study advances research on collaborative relationship dynamics and innovation by emphasizing the influence of collaborative relationship ending, exploration capabilities, and tie strength in shaping innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Yanhong & Zhang, Hongjuan & Qian, Shanshan & Lin, Runhui, 2026. "How does collaborative relationship ending affect the focal inventor’s innovation?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:206:y:2026:i:c:s0148296325007805
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115957
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