Research on the Impact of Social Network Embeddedness on Returnee Innovative Behavior

The trends of international competition and cooperation have amplified the influence of returnees’ innovative behaviors on technology and knowledge transfer. However, the scarcity of local network resources and challenges in cross-cultural adaptation hinder their effectiveness in innovation activities. Based on network embeddedness theory and social cognitive theory, this study examines how and when network embeddedness enhances the innovative behavior of returnees. Data were collected from 306 employees in mainland China who had experience studying, working, or residing abroad. The findings reveal that network embeddedness positively influenced returnees’ innovative behavior by enhancing their creative self-efficacy, with the organizational innovation climate further amplifying this effect. This study provides insights into how individual-level network factors impact returnees’ innovative behavior, highlighting the unique contributions returnees make to social networks. Furthermore, the organizational innovation climate is shown to enhance the innovative capabilities of returnees and reinforce their roles in driving corporate technological innovation and competitiveness.