Accelerating Innovation Efficiency through Agile Leadership: The CEO Network Effects in China

Chen, Xihui Haviour; Tee, Kienpin; Chang, Victor

Abstract

Digitalization as a business enabler has speeded and scaled innovation in many firms. As the corporate leader, the CEO facilitates strategic agility and enhances network effects to create value. This study uses innovation efficiency as the proxy of digitalization to examine the contribution of the CEO networks to firm-level innovation efficiency in Chinese listed firms. Using 13,516 firm-year observations in Chinese listed high-tech firms between 2007 and 2017, we apply a frontier analysis approach (e.g., DEA and SFA) and measure innovation efficiency based on the scale ratio of innovation output (i.e., patent counts) and input (R&D investment and R&D personnel). First, we find that innovation is more efficient when CEO has more outside directorships. Second, a significant and positive relationship exists between a well-connected CEO and innovation efficiency when the newly appointed CEO has larger networks than the predecessor. Third, the positive relationship between a well-connected CEO and innovation efficiency disappears when the number of outside directorships is above the yearly median level. This empirical study provides evidence for the network effects of a CEO for improving innovation efficiency. The findings emphasize the contingent value of the CEO's external social capital on agility, especially the multiple directorships in a transitional economy.

Citation

Chen, X. H., Tee, K., & Chang, V. (2022). Accelerating Innovation Efficiency through Agile Leadership: The CEO Network Effects in China. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 179, 121602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121602

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Mar 14, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Deposit Date: Mar 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 15, 2024
• Journal: Technological Forecasting and Social Change
• Print ISSN: 0040-1625
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 179
• Pages: 121602
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121602
• Keywords: Management of Technology and Innovation; Applied Psychology; Business and International Management
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Accelerating Innovation Efficiency through Agile Leadership: The CEO Network Effects in China; Journal Title: Technological Forecasting and Social Change; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121602; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.