In this study, drawing from adaptive structuration theory (AST) and embeddedness theory, we investigate the relationship between the interaction of HRM digitalization and HRM system maturity on firm performance as well as the moderating role played by HR strategic and business involvement. On the basis of a sample of 211 listed enterprises of China, our results indicate that the interaction of HRM digitalization and HRM system maturity is positively related to firm performance and that the relationship is strengthened by HR strategic and business involvement. The implications of our findings for research and practice are discussed.

This paper investigates the relationship between employees' perception of workfamily balance practices and work-family conflicts. It examines the role of challenge stress and hindrance stress as moderators. Based on survey data collected from 841 civil servants in Beijing, we found that perceived work-family balance practices may reduce work-family conflict, while challenge and hindrance work stresses were positively related to work-family conflict. In addition, challenge and hindrance stresses differentially moderated the relationship between perceived work-family practices and work-family conflict. When challenge stress is high then work-family balance practices will reduce work-family conflict. However, under high hindrance stress, work-family balance practices will serve to reduce work-family conflict less. More detailed analysis of the configurational dimensions of work-family balance practices (work flexibility, and employee and family wellness care) are also tested. This study provides additional insight into the management of work-family interfaces and offers ideas for future research.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of ambidextrous capabilities, explorative capability and exploitative capability on product innovation performance in the context of internationalization and cross-cultural environment; and to examine the moderating effects of CEO’s preference of risks and opportunities in the international market on the relationship between ambidextrous capabilities and multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) product innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 189 MNEs located in China, which develop international business through export, outsourcing, foreign equity investment or foreign direct investment. Measurement reliability and validity were examined and hierarchical linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Results indicated that both explorative and exploitative capability are positively related to MNEs’ new product development and commercialization of Chinese MNEs; and CEO’s preference of risks and opportunities in international market plays a significant moderating role in the two phases of product innovation. Research limitations/implications This study extends organizational ambidextrous capabilities theory to better understand the effects of explorative capability and exploitative capability on innovation performance in the context of internationalization and national cultural differences. Sample constitution is a possible limitation. Practical implications MNEs, especially those from emerging economies, should develop both explorative and exploitative capability to be flexible and competitive in dealing with cultural differences. fully take risks and opportunities should be taken into consideration regarding the international market and national cultural differences, and take an effective contingency strategy, driven by the ambidextrous capabilities toward new product innovation development and commercialization. Originality/value An empirical examination of how ambidextrous capabilities impact on Chinese MNEs’ new product development and commercialization connects the organizational ambidexterity theory to the innovation and characteristics of upper echelons.

This paper examines the influence of the interaction of three sources of innovation, namely, top-down (bureaucratic structure), bottom-up (high-involvement HRM) and outside-in (outreaching network), on two stages of firm innovation, i.e. invention and commercialization. Using data from 620 large Chinese companies, we found that there was a synergy between the bureaucratic structure and a high-involvement HRM system in influencing firm innovation. Social networks were most effective in promoting firm innovation in the presence of a high-involvement HRM system. The bureaucratic structure inhibited social networks in contributing to firm innovation. Ideas for future research and practical implications are discussed.

Previous empirical findings on the effect of employee-involved governance (EIG) on innovation are inconsistent and even contradictory. Based on an interactionist perspective of innovation, we propose that this effect is contingent on CEO change-oriented leadership (COL) and mediated by two distinct innovative processes: exploratory and exploitative innovations. Using multisource data from 161 enterprises, we demonstrated that EIG was positively (negatively) associated with innovative performance when CEO COL was higher (lower). The results also revealed that exploratory and exploitative innovations played different roles in mediating the effects of EIG on innovative performance depending on CEO COL. Specifically, exploratory innovation mediated that effect when CEO COL was high, but exploitative innovation did not. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.