Ni Menglin, Wang Muwen
School of Business Administration, Shandong Women's University, Jinan, China.
PLoS One. 2025 Jun 18;20(6):e0326490. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326490. eCollection 2025.
In the context of globalization and digital transformation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face increasing resource constraints that limit traditional innovation models. This study investigates how Chinese SMEs' relational networks influence their open innovation behaviors, examining the mediating role of knowledge transfer and the moderating effect of innovation strategic orientation. Through questionnaire data collected from 329 SMEs' middle and senior managers, we find that: (1) Firm relational networks significantly enhance knowledge transfer; (2) Innovation strategic orientation positively moderates the relationship between networks and knowledge transfer; and (3) Both networks and knowledge transfer exhibit strong positive impacts on SMEs' open innovation behaviors, with knowledge transfer acting as a partial mediator. The research reveals the mechanism through which relational networks drive open innovation via knowledge mobilization while highlighting the critical regulatory role of strategic innovation focus. These findings contribute to understanding open innovation dynamics in emerging markets by demonstrating the sequential pathway: network development → knowledge acquisition → innovation outcomes. For practitioners, the study underscores the strategic value of cultivating robust relational networks aligned with innovation objectives, enhancing internal knowledge circulation capabilities, and maintaining adaptive strategic orientations to capitalize on external opportunities. The research provides theoretical and practical guidance for SMEs seeking sustainable competitive advantages through open innovation strategies in knowledge-based economies.
在全球化和数字转型的背景下，中小企业面临着日益增加的资源限制，这限制了传统的创新模式。本研究探讨了中国中小企业的关系网络如何影响其开放式创新行为，考察了知识转移的中介作用以及创新战略导向的调节作用。通过对329家中小企业中高层管理人员收集的问卷数据，我们发现：（1）企业关系网络显著促进知识转移；（2）创新战略导向正向调节网络与知识转移之间的关系；（3）网络和知识转移都对中小企业的开放式创新行为产生强烈的正向影响，知识转移起到部分中介作用。该研究揭示了关系网络通过知识动员推动开放式创新的机制，同时突出了战略创新重点的关键调节作用。这些发现通过展示网络发展→知识获取→创新成果这一连续路径，有助于理解新兴市场中的开放式创新动态。对于从业者而言，该研究强调了培育与创新目标相一致的强大关系网络、增强内部知识流通能力以及保持适应性战略导向以利用外部机会的战略价值。该研究为在知识经济中通过开放式创新战略寻求可持续竞争优势的中小企业提供了理论和实践指导。
