IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/hal/journl/hal-04538031.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Design and governance of international joint venture innovation strategy: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • J. Lu Jin
  • L. Wang

    (Audencia Business School)

Abstract

Using the exploitation-exploration framework to conceptualize international joint ventures (IJVs)' innovation strategy, this study develops a contingent governance view to posit that the effectiveness of exploitative and explorative innovation strategies depends critically on the governance mechanisms between IJV partners. Based on empirical analyses of 187 IJVs in China, our results reveal that explorative innovation strategy generates a greater positive effect on IJV new product performance than exploitative innovation strategy. Furthermore, exploitative innovation strategy has a positive impact on IJV new product performance at high levels of contractual governance but has a negative effect at high levels of relational governance. In contrast, explorative innovation strategy contributes more to IJV new product performance at high levels of relational governance but shows a negative effect at high levels of contractual governance. This study offers important implications for IJVs to better design and manage their innovation strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Lu Jin & L. Wang, 2024. "Design and governance of international joint venture innovation strategy: Evidence from China," Post-Print hal-04538031, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04538031
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2024.102277
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04538031
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://hal.science/hal-04538031/document
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2024.102277?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wang, Qingtao & Bai, Xuan & Li, Julie Juan, 2023. "Achieving value co-creation through cooperation in international joint ventures: A two-level perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).
    2. Glenn Hoetker & Thomas Mellewigt, 2009. "Choice and performance of governance mechanisms: matching alliance governance to asset type," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(10), pages 1025-1044, October.
    3. Justin J. P. Jansen & Frans A. J. Van Den Bosch & Henk W. Volberda, 2006. "Exploratory Innovation, Exploitative Innovation, and Performance: Effects of Organizational Antecedents and Environmental Moderators," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 52(11), pages 1661-1674, November.
    4. Kevin Zheng Zhou & Dean Xu, 2012. "How foreign firms curtail local supplier opportunism in China: Detailed contracts, centralized control, and relational governance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(7), pages 677-692, September.
    5. Jing Li & Changhui Zhou & Edward J. Zajac, 2009. "Control, collaboration, and productivity in international joint ventures: theory and evidence," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 865-884, August.
    6. Haiyang Li & John B. Bingham & Elizabeth E. Umphress, 2007. "Fairness from the Top: Perceived Procedural Justice and Collaborative Problem Solving in New Product Development," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(2), pages 200-216, April.
    7. Wu Zhan & Yadong Luo, 2008. "Performance implications of capability exploitation and upgrading in international joint ventures," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 227-253, April.
    8. Zhang, Zhu & Lyles, Marjorie A. & Wu, Changqi, 2020. "The stock market performance of exploration-oriented and exploitation-oriented cross-border mergers and acquisitions: Evidence from emerging market enterprises," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    9. Julie Juan Li & Laura Poppo & Kevin Zheng Zhou, 2010. "Relational mechanisms, formal contracts, and local knowledge acquisition by international subsidiaries," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 349-370, April.
    10. Eric Fang & Shaoming Zou, 2010. "The effects of absorptive and joint learning on the instability of international joint ventures in emerging economies," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(5), pages 906-924, June.
    11. Jeffrey J. Reuer & Africa Ariño, 2007. "Strategic alliance contracts: dimensions and determinants of contractual complexity," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(3), pages 313-330, March.
    12. Robert E. Morgan & Pierre Berthon, 2008. "Market Orientation, Generative Learning, Innovation Strategy and Business Performance Inter‐Relationships in Bioscience Firms," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(8), pages 1329-1353, December.
    13. Charles Dhanaraj & Marjorie A Lyles & H Kevin Steensma & Laszlo Tihanyi, 2004. "Managing tacit and explicit knowledge transfer in IJVs: the role of relational embeddedness and the impact on performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 35(5), pages 428-442, September.
    14. Park, Chansoo & Vertinsky, Ilan & Becerra, Manuel, 2015. "Transfers of tacit vs. explicit knowledge and performance in international joint ventures: The role of age," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 89-101.
    15. H Kevin Steensma & Jeffrey Q Barden & Charles Dhanaraj & Marjorie Lyles & Laszlo Tihanyi, 2008. "The evolution and internalization of international joint ventures in a transitioning economy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 39(3), pages 491-507, April.
    16. Kevin Zheng Zhou & Fang Wu, 2010. "Technological capability, strategic flexibility, and product innovation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 547-561, May.
    17. Qing Cao & Eric Gedajlovic & Hongping Zhang, 2009. "Unpacking Organizational Ambidexterity: Dimensions, Contingencies, and Synergistic Effects," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(4), pages 781-796, August.
    18. Changhui Zhou & Jing Li, 2008. "Product innovation in emerging market-based international joint ventures: An organizational ecology perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 39(7), pages 1114-1132, October.
    19. Gokhan Ertug & Ilya R P Cuypers & Niels G Noorderhaven & Ben M Bensaou, 2013. "Trust between international joint venture partners: Effects of home countries," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 44(3), pages 263-282, April.
    20. Yadong Luo, 2007. "Are joint venture partners more opportunistic in a more volatile environment?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 39-60, January.
    21. James G. March, 1991. "Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 71-87, February.
    22. Wang, Lei & Zhang, Chun & Jiang, Fuming, 2019. "Matching governance mechanisms with transaction-specific investment types and supplier roles: An empirical study of cross-border outsourcing relationships," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 316-327.
    23. Wu Zhan & Roger (Rongxin) Chen, 2013. "Dynamic capability and IJV performance: The effect of exploitation and exploration capabilities," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 601-632, June.
    24. Glenn B. Voss & Zannie Giraud Voss, 2013. "Strategic Ambidexterity in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Implementing Exploration and Exploitation in Product and Market Domains," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 24(5), pages 1459-1477, October.
    25. Khalid, Saba & Ali, Tahir, 2017. "An integrated perspective of social exchange theory and transaction cost approach on the antecedents of trust in international joint ventures," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(3), pages 491-501.
    26. Zi-Lin He & Poh-Kam Wong, 2004. "Exploration vs. Exploitation: An Empirical Test of the Ambidexterity Hypothesis," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(4), pages 481-494, August.
    27. Jin, Jason Lu & Wang, Liwen, 2021. "Resource complementarity, partner differences, and international joint venture performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 232-246.
    28. Daniel A. Levinthal & James G. March, 1993. "The myopia of learning," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(S2), pages 95-112, December.
    29. Faroque, Anisur R. & Morrish, Sussie C. & Kuivalainen, Olli & Sundqvist, Sanna & Torkkeli, Lasse, 2021. "Microfoundations of network exploration and exploitation capabilities in international opportunity recognition," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    30. Weilei (Stone) Shi & Sunny Li Sun & Brian C Pinkham & Mike W Peng, 2014. "Domestic alliance network to attract foreign partners: Evidence from international joint ventures in China," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 45(3), pages 338-362, April.
    31. Shibin Sheng & Kevin Zheng Zhou & Julie Juan Li & Zhaoyang Guo, 2018. "Institutions and opportunism in buyer–supplier exchanges: the moderated mediating effects of contractual and relational governance," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 1014-1031, November.
    32. Konara, Palitha & Mohr, Alex, 2023. "Cultural bridging and the performance of international joint ventures," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    33. Kwok, Francis & Sharma, Piyush & Gaur, Sanjaya Singh & Ueno, Akiko, 2019. "Interactive effects of information exchange, relationship capital and environmental uncertainty on international joint venture (IJV) performance: An emerging markets perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.
    34. Nguyen, Huu Le & Larimo, Jorma & Wang, Yi, 2019. "Control, innovation and international joint venture performance: The moderating role of internal and external environments," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 1-1.
    35. Ali, Tahir & Khalid, Saba & Shahzad, Khuram & Larimo, Jorma, 2021. "Managing international joint ventures to improve performance: The role of structural and social mechanisms," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(3).
    36. Michael Nippa & Jeffrey J Reuer, 2019. "On the future of international joint venture research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 555-597, June.
    37. Ha Hoang & Frank T. Rothaermel, 2010. "Leveraging internal and external experience: exploration, exploitation, and R&D project performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 734-758, July.
    38. Peter J. Lane & Jane E. Salk & Marjorie A. Lyles, 2001. "Absorptive capacity, learning, and performance in international joint ventures," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(12), pages 1139-1161, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bai, Xuan & Wang, Qingtao & Sheng, Shibin & Li, Julie Juan, 2021. "Cross-level interpersonal ties and IJV innovation: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 618-630.
    2. Khan, Zaheer & Lew, Yong Kyu & Marinova, Svetla, 2019. "Exploitative and exploratory innovations in emerging economies: The role of realized absorptive capacity and learning intent," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 499-512.
    3. Yong Suhk Pak & Jong Min Lee, 2023. "Organizational learning platforms for knowledge creation in international joint ventures: the mediating role of formal and informal communication," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(5), pages 2135-2163, November.
    4. Yadong Luo & Huan Zhang & Juan Bu, 2019. "Developed country MNEs investing in developing economies: Progress and prospect," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(4), pages 633-667, June.
    5. Zhang, Zhu & Lyles, Marjorie A. & Wu, Changqi, 2020. "The stock market performance of exploration-oriented and exploitation-oriented cross-border mergers and acquisitions: Evidence from emerging market enterprises," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).
    6. Sheng, Margaret L. & Hartmann, Nathaniel N., 2019. "Impact of subsidiaries' cross-border knowledge tacitness shared and social capital on MNCs' explorative and exploitative innovation capability," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 25(4).
    7. Zhi Yang & Xuemin Zhou & Pengcheng Zhang, 2015. "Discipline versus passion: Collectivism, centralization, and ambidextrous innovation," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 745-769, September.
    8. Partanen, Jukka & Kohtamäki, Marko & Patel, Pankaj C. & Parida, Vinit, 2020. "Supply chain ambidexterity and manufacturing SME performance: The moderating roles of network capability and strategic information flow," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    9. Vinit Parida & Tom Lahti & Joakim Wincent, 2016. "Exploration and exploitation and firm performance variability: a study of ambidexterity in entrepreneurial firms," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 1147-1164, December.
    10. Úbeda-García, Mercedes & Claver-Cortés, Enrique & Marco-Lajara, Bartolomé & Zaragoza-Sáez, Patrocinio, 2020. "Toward a dynamic construction of organizational ambidexterity: Exploring the synergies between structural differentiation, organizational context, and interorganizational relations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 363-372.
    11. José Andrade & Mário Franco & Luis Mendes, 2021. "Technological capacity and organisational ambidexterity: the moderating role of environmental dynamism on Portuguese technological SMEs," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(7), pages 2111-2136, October.
    12. Atif Açıkgöz & Irem Demirkan & Gary P. Latham & Cemil Kuzey, 2021. "The Relationship Between Unlearning and Innovation Ambidexterity with the Performance of New Product Development Teams," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 945-982, August.
    13. Annapoornima M. Subramanian & Moren Lévesque & Vareska van de Vrande, 2020. "“Pulling the Plug:” Time Allocation between Drug Discovery and Development Projects," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(12), pages 2851-2876, December.
    14. Mavroudi, Eva & Kesidou, Effie & Pandza, Krsto, 2023. "Effects of ambidextrous and specialized R&D strategies on firm performance: The contingent role of industry orientation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    15. Pilar Bernal & Juan P. Maicas & Pilar Vargas, 2016. "Exploration, exploitation and innovation performance: Disentangling environmental dynamism," Documentos de Trabajo dt2016-03, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Zaragoza.
    16. Soetanto, Danny & Jack, Sarah, 2016. "The impact of university-based incubation support on the innovation strategy of academic spin-offs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 50, pages 25-40.
    17. Solís-Molina, Miguel & Hernández-Espallardo, Miguel & Rodríguez-Orejuela, Augusto, 2018. "Performance implications of organizational ambidexterity versus specialization in exploitation or exploration: The role of absorptive capacity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 181-194.
    18. Wang, Qingtao & Bai, Xuan & Li, Julie Juan, 2023. "Achieving value co-creation through cooperation in international joint ventures: A two-level perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(1).
    19. Marina Estrada-Cruz & Noelia Rodriguez-Hernández & Antonio J. Verdú-Jover & Jose Maria Gómez-Gras, 2022. "The effect of competitive intensity on the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and organizational results," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 1-24, March.
    20. Tengjian Zou & Gokhan Ertug & Ilya R. P. Cuypers & Donald L. Ferrin, 2023. "Trust across borders: a review of the research on interorganizational trust in international business," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(8), pages 1379-1401, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04538031. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: CCSD (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.