Title: MNEs' innovation spillover effects on emerging markets' suppliers and buyers along global supply chain

Authors: Liyao Xiang; Yurong Xu; Jinglun Li; Rui Ding; Rongjian Yu

Addresses: School of Management and E-Business, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China ' School of Business Administration (MBA), Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China ' School of Business Administration (MBA), Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China ' School of Business Administration (MBA), Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China ' School of Business Administration (MBA), Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310012, China

Abstract: Innovation serves as the primary driving force for scientific and technological advancement. Knowledge has increasingly become a critical resource that shapes the landscape of technological innovation and economic development, particularly in this bifurcated world. Knowledge spillover in supply networks has become a key channel for firms to acquire external knowledge, integrate internal resources, and enhance innovation. Using a sample of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in China from 2012 to 2021, this study indicates the impact of inter-organisational dependence structures on the innovation spillover effects between MNEs and local firms based on a negative binomial regression model. The findings indicate that inter-organisational dependence structure inhibits the innovation spillover effects between MNEs and firms in emerging economies. Heterogeneity analysis shows that with longer relationship duration and higher transaction relationship value, buyers of MNEs can secure more knowledge spillover based on technological capabilities and follow-on innovation based on innovative capabilities.

Keywords: inter-organisational dependence; innovation spillovers; relationship characteristics; multinational enterprises; MNE; innovation; knowledge management; supply chain; buyer-supplier; emerging markets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.151673

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.98 No.2/3/4, pp.362 - 388

Received: 28 Mar 2024
Accepted: 14 Feb 2025
Published online: 13 Feb 2026 *

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