Global networks as a mode of balance for exploratory innovations in a late liberalizing economy

Zaheer Khan*, Rekha Rao-Nicholson, Shlomo Y. Tarba

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article suggests that under weak institutional arrangements, adverse economic conditions, and institutional voids in a late liberalizing economy, local firms that are part of the global value chains of multinational enterprises develop international networks as a balancing strategy to engage in exploratory innovations. We argue that local firms do so in order to counter the negative influences of local institutions on exploratory innovations. Using exploratory in-depth qualitative analysis, we study the suppliers of motorcycle parts in Pakistan that are working with leading Japanese and Chinese motorcycle assemblers. The results suggest that in adverse economic situations local institutional factors can sustain only the development of exploitative innovations. As a balancing strategy, motorcycle part suppliers develop international networks with global Tier 1 suppliers, international trade fairs, and international institutions. This strategy helps circumvent the negative influence of home institutional factors on developing exploratory innovations. Our study highlights the importance of global networks as a balancing strategy for creating exploratory innovations by firms in a late liberalizing economy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)392-402
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of World Business
Volume53
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2018

Keywords

  • Context
  • Exploitative innovations
  • Exploratory innovations
  • Institutions
  • International networks
  • Late liberalizing economy
  • Motorcycle industry
  • Pakistan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance

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