Title: Alliance network heterogeneity, absorptive capacity and innovation performance: a framework for mediation and moderation effects

Authors: Sanjay Dhir; Aniruddha; Amita Mital

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India ' Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Prabandh Nagar, Lucknow-226013, India ' Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Prabandh Nagar, Lucknow-226013, India

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a perspective of alliance network heterogeneity, absorptive capacity and their effect on innovation performance. Although extant research recognises alliance network, network heterogeneity and absorptive capacity as predictor to innovation performance; mediation effect of network heterogeneity between innovation performance and its antecedents has been neglected. On the other hand, interaction effect of absorptive capacity has been widely researched, but these studies have not sufficiently analysed the influence of absorptive capacity on innovation performance due to conflicting results, especially regarding the multidimensional character of absorptive capacity. Present study intends to posit and set the stage for future research, whether relationship between innovation and its antecedents is mediated by firm's alliance network heterogeneity. Furthermore, we posit whether absorptive capacity acts as mediator or moderator between alliance network heterogeneity and innovation performance.

Keywords: innovation performance; absorptive capacity; alliance network heterogeneity; strategic alliances; firm characteristics; environmental dynamism; mediation effects; moderation effects.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSBA.2014.062335

International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances, 2014 Vol.3 No.2/3, pp.168 - 178

Accepted: 27 Nov 2013
Published online: 29 Jul 2014 *

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