Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
5 Conclusion
5.1 Theoretical Contributions
Scholars have examined the relationship between network competence with
innovation performance have examined the relationship between absorptive
capacity with innovation performance. According to the empirical result in this
research, it can be found that network competence has significant influence on
absorptive capacity. Although Tsai (2001) examine absorptive capacity has
moderate effect on network position, but we argue that it is worthy to analyze
mediating effect between network position and absorptive capacity with innovation
performance in our research model. It has evidence that network position is the
mediator between network competence and absorptive capacity; network position is
the mediator between network competence and innovation performance. This is full
of meanings in the theoretical domain. The result will enhance the SNA role in the
analysis of innovation management, including knowledge management.
The results indicate that a firm's network position indeed influences his
innovation performance. Different network position variables capture different
kinds of position concepts. In this study, we represent the most interpretable
position variable in LCD industry, namely, coreness. It is suitable to be used in any
industry which has a structure of core/periphery. Moreover, a method was proposed
to observe the significant change on structural holes. The way is to add additional
actors to original network and then examine the change of network indicators
among each actor.
5.2 Managerial Implications
At the cluster-management-level, how to efficiently manage clusters is an important
issue that government and STSP Authority must handle. Government plays as an
integrity facilitator and provides related tax preferential policies in order to attract
firm's investment willing. Despite STSP Authority only play an assistant role to
companies, from the result of this study, the STSP Authority plays a role of
communication bridge between government and companies, it offer complete
“after-care service” and deeply understand every problem that companies faced in
each growth stages and work them out. Accordingly, STSP Authority must make
efforts in enhancing and improving relationship among LCD firms.
From the results of this study, we know that coreness has significant influences
on innovation performance. Hence, LCD firms could try to communicate or
collaborate with firms which are core in network. The survey reveals that the main
reason for many LCD firms settled in the STSP is attaching to key firms and
sucking fruitful resources from them. They can utilize the attached-companies'
network position to access more information and knowledge, and enhance
self-absorptive capacity and then improve their innovation performance. Therefore,
at the company-level, the most important things for SMEs is how to access and stick
in the network center, or at least attach to key actors.
