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Recombine supplier-side search via innovation ambidexterity: An empirical study on Hong Kong manufacturing firms

Yu Wang (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China) (Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
Tao Jia (School of Management, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China)
Jinliang Chen (Business School, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China)
Hongyi Sun (Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management

ISSN: 0960-0035

Article publication date: 31 December 2018

Issue publication date: 5 March 2019

627

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the individual effects of boundary-spanning search from suppliers (supplier-side search (SS)). It is proposed that SS contributes to innovation ambidexterity (IA) and then business performance (BP). Further, this paper includes buyer–supplier relationships (BSRs) and competitive intensity (CI) as moderators to clarify boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

An ordinary least squares regression was employed to test hypotheses, based on 184 sets of data from Hong Kong manufacturing firms. The SPSS version of PROCESS was utilized.

Findings

The results show that IA partially mediates the relationship between SS and BP. Contingently, the direct effect is negatively moderated by BSRs and CI.

Research limitations/implications

This paper confirms the partial mediating effect of IA on the relationship between SS and BP. Additional mediators, such as organizational innovation and marketing innovation, can be examined in the future.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to practice by suggesting that suppliers are a rewarding single source for firms to undertake boundary-spanning search. IA plays a significant role in reinforcing the effects of SS on BP and should be implemented with sustaining efforts. BSRs and CI can be detrimental and should be responded to cautiously.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the individual effects of SS on BP. Furthermore, the underlying process and boundary conditions are analyzed. The exploitation-exploration framework is applied throughout the entire study.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors particularly thank the Editors Alexander E. Ellinger and Lauren Kiser, and three anonymous reviewers for their insightful and constructive comments. This study was supported by the 2018 Education and Teaching Reform Project of Central University of Finance and Economics under Grant No. 2018XYJG06, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos 71302128, 71732006, 71390331.

Citation

Wang, Y., Jia, T., Chen, J. and Sun, H. (2019), "Recombine supplier-side search via innovation ambidexterity: An empirical study on Hong Kong manufacturing firms", International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Vol. 49 No. 2, pp. 178-199. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-02-2018-0054

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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