Research on the Impact of Enterprise Digitalization on the Governance of Multi-Partner R&D Alliances

Jinlai Chen; Jie Liang; Shuhan Meng

doi:10.62177/apemr.v3i3.1408

Authors

Jinlai Chen Xi'an Polytechnic University
Jie Liang Xi'an Polytechnic University
Shuhan Meng Xi'an Polytechnic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/apemr.v3i3.1408

Keywords:

Relationship Governance, Digital Transformation, Number of Relationships

Abstract

Addressing the limitation of existing research that rarely focuses on the governance of digital transformation and R&D alliances, this study explores the impact of digital transformation on the number of new partners in R&D alliances. Based on an empirical analysis of 902 samples from 133 listed pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets from 2011 to 2022, the results show that the degree of digital transformation promotes the number of new partners in R&D alliances, while the speed of digital transformation hinders it. These findings develop the theoretical framework for existing R&D alliance governance factors and deepen the academic understanding of the essence of digital transformation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O. A., Pavlou, P. A., & Venkatraman, N. (2013). Digital business strategy: Toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 471–482. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37:2.3

Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., & Kiron, D. (2015). Is your business ready for a digital future? MIT Sloan Management Review, 56(4), 37.

Vial, G. (2021). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. In Managing digital transformation (pp. 13–66). Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003008637-4

Qian, H., Xiao, J., Li, S., & Wang, Y. (2024). Digital transformation and enterprise innovation: Evidence from the Chinese biomedical industry. Industrial Economics Research, (05), 114–127.

Fang, M., Lin, J., & Nie, H. (2022). Does digital transformation promote common prosperity within firms? Evidence from Chinese A-share listed firms. Journal of Quantitative & Technological Economics, 39(11), 50–70.

Sun, B., Zhang, Y., Zhu, K., & Li, X. (2024). Is faster really better? The impact of digital transformation speed on firm financial distress: Based on the cost-benefit perspective. Journal of Business Research, 179, 114703. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114703

Kesidou, E., Ri, A., & Roper, S. (2025). Balancing act or two roads to travel: Evaluating the trade-offs between digitalization and net zero innovation in SMEs. Small Business Economics, 1–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-025-00998-4

Li, Y., & Meng, X. (2024). How does the optimization of the business environment affect the digitalization paradox of enterprises? ——From the perspective of innovation persistence. Finance and Accounting Monthly, 45(06), 20–27.

Wang, Y., Wang, T., & Wang, Q. (2024). The impact of digital transformation on enterprise performance: An empirical analysis based on China’s manufacturing export enterprises. PLOS ONE, 19(3), e0299723. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299723

Xu, M., Zhang, Y., Sun, H., & Liu, J. (2024). How digital transformation enhances corporate innovation performance: The mediating roles of big data capabilities and organizational agility. Heliyon, 10(14). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34905

Huang, S., Cong, J., & Chao, H. (2016). Organization and governance of research and development alliances: A literature review and future prospects. Foreign Economics & Management, 38(06), 63–81+99.

Capaldo, A., & Petruzzelli, A. M. (2014). Partner geographic and organizational proximity and the innovative performance of knowledge‐creating alliances. European Management Review, 11(1), 63–84. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12024

Uzzi, B. (1996). The sources and consequences of embeddedness for the economic performance of organizations: The network effect. American Sociological Review, 674–698. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2096399

Grimpe, C., & Kaiser, U. (2010). Balancing internal and external knowledge acquisition: The gains and pains from R&D outsourcing. Journal of Management Studies, 47(8), 1483–1509. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2010.00946.x

Sen, P., & Puranam, P. (2022). Do alliance portfolios encourage or impede new business practice adoption? Theory and evidence from the private equity industry. Strategic Management Journal, 43(11), 2279–2312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3399

Cao, Y., Ou, C., Dai, H., & Liu, Y. (2023). Research on the impact of network characteristics of disruptive innovation R&D alliance on enterprise innovative performance: The regulatory role of institutional environment. Journal of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, (01), 24–35.

Liang, J., & Xie, E. (2020). Impact of divisive faultlines of multipartner R&D alliances on the firm innovation performance. Soft Science, 34(04), 26–30.

Adelman, D. E., & Deangelis, K. L. (2006). Patent metrics: The mismeasure of innovation in the biotech patent debate. Texas Law Review, 85, 1677.

Rothaermel, F. T., & Deeds, D. L. (2004). Exploration and exploitation alliances in biotechnology: A system of new product development. Strategic Management Journal, 25(3), 201–221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.376

Wu, Q., Luo, X., Slotegraaf, R. J., & Aspara, J. (2015). Sleeping with competitors: The impact of NPD phases on stock market reactions to horizontal collaboration. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(4), 490–511. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0396-3

Zheng, Y., & Yang, H. (2015). Does familiarity foster innovation? The impact of alliance partner repeatedness on breakthrough innovations. Journal of Management Studies, 52(2), 213–230. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12112

Colombo, M. G., Doganova, L., & Piva, E. (2015). Hybrid alliances and radical innovation: The performance implications of integrating exploration and exploitation. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 40, 696–722. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-014-9363-x

Lin, Z., Yang, H., & Demirkan, I. (2007). The performance consequences of ambidexterity in strategic alliance formations: Empirical investigation and computational theorizing. Management Science, 53(10), 1645–1658. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1070.0712

Li, W., & Wang, L. (2019). Strategic choices of exploration and exploitation alliances under market uncertainty. Management Decision, 57(11), 3112–3133. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-01-2017-0073

Li, Y., Jiao, W., & Yang, Z. (2023). Enterprise digital transformation and auditor risk decision-making. Finance and Accounting Monthly, 44(19), 111–119.

Du, S., & Ma, L. (2024). The speed of digital transformation and debt financing costs: From the perspective of "cost reduction" and "deleveraging". Journal of Audit & Economics, 39(02), 52–62.