{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,9]],"date-time":"2026-07-09T14:25:13Z","timestamp":1783607113706,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,12]],"date-time":"2025-11-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1762905600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100012456","name":"National Social Science Fund of China","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["23FGLB058"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["23FGLB058"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100012456","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100007129","name":"Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","award":["ZR2025QC783"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ZR2025QC783"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100007129","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Beijing Social Science Fund Decision Consulting Project","award":["24JCB015"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["24JCB015"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Systems"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Promoting breakthrough innovation is a critical strategy for overcoming technological bottlenecks and addressing \u201cchokepoint\u201d challenges, especially for emerging economies. This paper constructs a two-tier innovation network comprising collaborative R&amp;D and technology transaction subnetworks. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2008 and 2022, we empirically examine the impact of network embeddedness on firm breakthrough innovation in the artificial intelligence industry and explore the moderating effect of enterprise digitalization. The results reveal a U-shaped relationship between embeddedness breadth and breakthrough innovation, and an inverted U-shaped relationship between embeddedness depth and breakthrough innovation. The heterogeneous resource acquisition mediates these nonlinear relationships. As a firm\u2019s digitalization intensity increases, the U-shaped and inverted U-shaped relationships between embeddedness dimensions and breakthrough innovation are significantly amplified. This study deepens our understanding of the mechanisms and boundary conditions by which network embeddedness affects firm innovation and provides new theoretical insights for fostering breakthrough innovation in emerging economies.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/systems13111012","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,12]],"date-time":"2025-11-12T10:56:47Z","timestamp":1762945007000},"page":"1012","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Two-Tier Network Embeddedness, Heterogeneous Resource Acquisition, and Firms\u2019 Breakthrough Innovation: The Moderating Effect of Digitalization"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Xin","family":"Jin","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Information, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 102206, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-3868-5535","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yinan","family":"Yu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Information, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 102206, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5801-4566","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Min","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Business School, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chunwu","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Information, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 102206, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuanheng","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Information, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 102206, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"24","article-title":"Complex Networks-Based Interconnected Innovation in Chinese Enterprises","volume":"10","author":"An","year":"2023","journal-title":"Soc. Sci. China"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"14","article-title":"Enterprise Innovation Networks: Origin, Evolution and Research Prospects","volume":"37","author":"Lu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Manag. World"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101587","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jengtecman.2020.101587","article-title":"Relational Embeddedness and Disruptive Innovations: The Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity","volume":"57","author":"Wang","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Eng. Technol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"67","article-title":"Can Enterprise Network Embedding Rest Easy: A Research Based on Listed Manufacture Enterprises in China","volume":"20","author":"Li","year":"2017","journal-title":"Nankai Bus. Rev."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"154","article-title":"The Impact of Digital Innovation Network Embeddedness on New Product Development Performance of Manufacturing Enterprises","volume":"40","author":"Yu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Manag. World"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1651","DOI":"10.25300\/MISQ\/2020\/13991","article-title":"More Is Not Necessarily Better: An Absorptive Capacity Perspective on Network Effects in Open Source Software Development Communities","volume":"44","author":"Tang","year":"2020","journal-title":"MIS Q."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2285","DOI":"10.1108\/EJIM-11-2023-1004","article-title":"R&D Team Network Configurations, Knowledge Diversity and Breakthrough Innovation: A Combined Effect Framework","volume":"28","author":"Zhou","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur. J. Innov. Manag."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"99","article-title":"Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage","volume":"17","author":"Barney","year":"1991","journal-title":"J. Manag."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.1086\/228311","article-title":"Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness","volume":"91","author":"Granovetter","year":"1985","journal-title":"Am. J. Sociol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"809","DOI":"10.1108\/JKM-06-2018-0386","article-title":"Search Broadly or Search Narrowly? Role of Knowledge Search Strategy in Innovation Performance","volume":"23","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Knowl. Manag."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jom.2014.09.008","article-title":"Collaboration in Multi-Partner R&D Projects: The Impact of Partnering Scale and Scope","volume":"33\u201334","author":"Mishra","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Oper. Manag."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101292","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techsoc.2020.101292","article-title":"Open Innovation and Innovation \u201cRadicalness\u201d\u2014The Moderating Effect of Network Embeddedness","volume":"62","author":"Lyu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Technol. Soc."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"109","article-title":"Enterprises\u2019 Heterogeneity Social Capital and Its Inserted Risk\u2014Empirical Study Based on China\u2019s Economic Transition","volume":"11","author":"Shi","year":"2010","journal-title":"China Ind. Econ."},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"105","article-title":"Centrality, Technical Influence and Firms\u2019 Sustainable Innovation\u2014The Moderating Role of Environmental Responsibility and Corporate Resilience","volume":"35","author":"Zhao","year":"2023","journal-title":"Manag. Rev."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"1421","article-title":"In Search of Process Innovations: The Role of Search Depth, Search Breadth, and the Industry Environment","volume":"43","author":"Terjesen","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Manag."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"128","DOI":"10.2307\/2393553","article-title":"Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation","volume":"35","author":"Cohen","year":"1990","journal-title":"Adm. Sci. Q."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"2863","article-title":"Direction Matters? How Does Inventor Mobility Network Influence Firm Innovation","volume":"43","author":"Yang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Syst. Eng. Theory Pract."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"26","article-title":"Enterprise Digital Transformation and Management: Research Framework and Prospect","volume":"24","author":"Huang","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Manag. Sci."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1111\/isj.12093","article-title":"Digital Product Innovation within Four Classes of Innovation Networks","volume":"26","author":"Lyytinen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Inf. Syst. J."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100317","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2023.100317","article-title":"Exploring the Effect of Digital Transformation on Firms\u2019 Innovation Performance","volume":"8","author":"Li","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"1","article-title":"The Impact Mechanism and Empirical Study of Digital Transformation of Chinese Enterprises on Innovation","volume":"5","author":"An","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mod. Econ. Res."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101198","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joi.2021.101198","article-title":"Exploring the Effect of City-Level Collaboration and Knowledge Networks on Innovation: Evidence from Energy Conservation Field","volume":"15","author":"Ba","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Informetr."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"China National Intellectual Property Administration (2025, October 26). Strategic Emerging Industries Classification and International Patent Classification Reference Table (2021, Trial Version), Available online: https:\/\/www.cnipa.gov.cn\/art\/2021\/2\/10\/art_75_156716.html."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"521","DOI":"10.1002\/smj.176","article-title":"Entrepreneurship in the Large Corporation: A Longitudinal Study of How Established Firms Create Breakthrough Inventions","volume":"22","author":"Ahuja","year":"2001","journal-title":"Strateg. Manag. J."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122866","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2023.122866","article-title":"The Effects of Digital Economy on Breakthrough Innovations: Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies","volume":"196","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"117","DOI":"10.1080\/00130095.2022.2134005","article-title":"The Role of Relatedness and Unrelatedness for the Geography of Technological Breakthroughs in Europe","volume":"99","author":"Boschma","year":"2023","journal-title":"Econ. Geogr."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"85","article-title":"Structural Embeddedness, Absorptive Capacity, and Firms\u2032 Sustainable Innovation: Evidence from an Alliance Innovation Network of High-tech Firms","volume":"37","author":"Zhao","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Ind. Eng. Eng. Manag."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102178","DOI":"10.1016\/j.technovation.2020.102178","article-title":"To Explore or Exploit: The Influence of Inter-firm R&D Network Diversity and Structural Holes on Innovation Outcomes","volume":"100","author":"Wen","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technovation"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100326","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2023.100326","article-title":"Relationship between Enterprise Digitalization and Green Innovation: A Mediated Moderation Model","volume":"8","author":"Ning","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122378","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2023.122378","article-title":"Can Digital Transformation Overcome the Enterprise Innovation Dilemma: Effect, Mechanism and Effective Boundary","volume":"190","author":"Zhuo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123980","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2025.123980","article-title":"The Effect of Corporate Agglomeration Networks on Breakthrough Innovation\u2014Evidence from China","volume":"212","author":"Hu","year":"2025","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1177","DOI":"10.1002\/smj.2399","article-title":"Thinking about U: Theorizing and Testing U\u2014and Inverted U-shaped Relationships in Strategy Research","volume":"37","author":"Haans","year":"2016","journal-title":"Strateg. Manag. J."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-0084.2009.00569.x","article-title":"With or without U? The Appropriate Test for a U-shaped Relationship","volume":"72","author":"Lind","year":"2010","journal-title":"Oxf. Bull. Econ. Stat."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1016\/j.respol.2015.08.002","article-title":"Exploitative and Exploratory Innovations in Knowledge Network and Collaboration Network: A Patent Analysis in the Technological Field of Nano-Energy","volume":"45","author":"Guan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114686","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2024.114686","article-title":"Effects of alliance portfolio breadth and depth on exploratory and exploitative innovation: Evidence from Indian high-tech sectors","volume":"179","author":"Shukla","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Bus. Res."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"158","DOI":"10.1080\/09537325.2017.1297786","article-title":"Evolution of network relations, enterprise learning, and cluster innovation networks: The case of the Yuyao plastics industry cluster","volume":"30","author":"Huang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag."},{"key":"ref_37","first-page":"128","article-title":"The Impact of Innovation Network Embedding on Enterprise Innovation Performance: Review and Prospect","volume":"3","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Decis. Mak."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, X., and Liu, X. (2023). The impact of the collaborative innovation network embeddedness on enterprise green innovation performance. Front. Environ. Sci., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fenvs.2023.1190697"},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"155","article-title":"The Knowledge Spillover Effect of Inter-firm Technology Transfer\u2014Evidence from Patent Transfers","volume":"41","author":"Liu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Quant. Econ. Technol. Econ. Res."}],"container-title":["Systems"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-8954\/13\/11\/1012\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]],"date-time":"2025-11-14T05:22:12Z","timestamp":1763097732000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-8954\/13\/11\/1012"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,12]]},"references-count":39,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]}},"alternative-id":["systems13111012"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/systems13111012","relation":{},"ISSN":["2079-8954"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2079-8954","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,12]]}}}