International R&D alliances and innovation for emerging market multinationals: roles of environmental turbulence and knowledge transfer

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between environment turbulence, knowledge transfer and innovation performance for emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) in an asymmetric international R&D alliance.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a survey of high-tech firms in Zhejiang Province of China from 2013 to 2015.FindingsInnovation performance of EMNEs is positively influenced by knowledge transfer activities (knowledge replication and knowledge adaption), technological and market turbulence, while negatively influenced by institutional turbulence. In addition, different aspects of environmental turbulence moderate the relationship between knowledge transfer practices and innovation performance of EMNEs differently.Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies could use a longitudinal design to capture the dynamism driving innovation performance of EMNEs through R&D alliances.Practical implicationsPractical guidelines are provided particularly for EMNE managers on how to develop an innovation strategy by leveraging external knowledge, adaptive innovation and environmental turbulence.Originality/valueThis study deepens the knowledge of how EMNEs enhance their innovation by building the linkage between environmental turbulence and absorptive capacity through knowledge transfer activities in an asymmetric international R&D alliance.