The Effects of Relational Embeddedness and Network Routines on Industry–University Cooperation in Chinese Construction Firms
The Moderating Role of Intermediaries
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19450554 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Aihua Chen (0000-0003-2208-2716, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, corresponding author), Weibing Zhang (0000-0003-1812-1372, Weibing Zhang Engineering Design Group Co., Ltd., Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 343-362 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Science Technology and Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0971-7218 • E-ISSN: 0973-0796 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/09717218251315964 |
| OpenAlex | W4407364507 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 62 |
Cooperation between industry and universities is vital in the sustainable development of industries. However, research on industry–university cooperation in specific industries remains limited, which motivates our examination of this issue. Drawing on social network theory and the knowledge-based view, we discuss the effects of relational embeddedness and network routines on industry–university cooperation by Chinese construction firms as well as the moderating role of intermediaries. Using a sample of 256 members of Chinese construction firms, we show that trust and tie strength in relational embeddedness in addition to norm consensus and tacit understanding of behaviour in network routines all have significantly positive effects on firm performance with industry–university cooperation. The moderating effects of intermediaries on the links between trust and tie strength in relational embeddedness and firm performance are not statistically significant. However, intermediaries weaken the relationship between norm consensus in network routines and firm performance, and strengthen the relationship between tacit understanding of behaviour in network routines and firm performance. Overall, our study has important implications not only for construction firms seeking to improve firm performance but also for intermediaries on how to better play a positive role in industry–university cooperation
Business · Embeddedness · Industrial organization · Intermediary · Knowledge management · Social science · Sociology · Business Strategy and Innovation · Collaboration in agile enterprises · Computer Science · Innovation and Knowledge Management · Marketing
Links and Impacts
Metaphor No More
Social Capital and Knowledge Creation
Managing Potential and Realized Absorptive Capacity
The Process of Knowledge Transfer
Academic engagement
The Increasing Dominance of Teams in Production of Knowledge
Common method biases in behavioral research
Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, and the Organizational Advantage
Network Structure and Knowledge Transfer
Economic Action and Social Structure
The Strength of Weak Ties
| Highly cited | No |
|---|