Impact of open innovation on organizational performance in different conflict management styles: based on resource dependence theory

Abstract

Purpose

Firms often encounter complicated external relationships and conflicts in inbound and outbound open innovation (OI). Conflict management significantly affects innovation results. Guided by resource dependence theory (RDT), this study aims to examine the moderating effects of conflict management styles in the relationship between OI and organizational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on manufacturing and service firms in China, with the respondents composed of senior managers. Using hierarchical regression analysis, data from 270 firm samples are used to empirically test the hypotheses.

Findings

Inbound and outbound OI openness positively affects OP. Cooperative conflict management positively moderates the relationship between inbound OI openness and OP, whereas it negatively moderates the impact of outbound OI openness on OP. By contrast, competitive conflict management positively moderates the relationship between outbound OI openness on OP.

Research limitations/implications

Guided by RDT, this study explores the relationship between OI and OP and the moderating role of conflict management styles. However, it does not measure the level of resource dependence, which is among the future research directions for further validating the results of this study.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the impact of OI on OP in different conflict management styles. Findings suggest that choosing a suitable conflict management style may strengthen the positive effects of OI on OP.

Citation

Wang, T., Wu, J., Gu, J. and Hu, L. (2021), "Impact of open innovation on organizational performance in different conflict management styles: based on resource dependence theory", International Journal of Conflict Management, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 199-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-09-2019-0165