Research on the impact of digital innovation network embeddedness on the ambidextrous innovation of manufacturing enterprises

Against the backdrop of the digital economy, digital resources have become a critical strategic asset for corporate innovation, playing an important role in driving the ambidextrous innovation of manufacturing enterprises. Exploring how digital innovation network embeddedness facilitates manufacturers’ access to digital resources to promote ambidextrous innovation holds significant research value. Based on the resource-based theory and knowledge-based view, this study constructs a theoretical framework of ‘digital innovation network embeddedness-digital knowledge acquisition-dual innovation’ from the perspective of digital resource attributes. It systematically examines the intrinsic relationship between digital innovation network embeddedness and dual innovation, as well as the mediating role of digital knowledge acquisition. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain 353 valid sample data. Then, using SPSS 27.0 and AMOS 21.0, an empirical test was performed with the structural equation model. The research revealed that: (1) both structural and relational embeddedness in digital innovation networks positively affect exploitative and exploratory innovation. (2) Digital knowledge acquisition serves as a multiple mediator between digital innovation network embeddedness and ambidextrous innovation. These findings not only enrich theoretical research on ambidextrous innovation from an innovation network perspective but also provide practical insights for firms to implement ambidextrous innovation within digital innovation networks.