Attribute imbalances and innovation implementation based on grounded theory: A case of Chinese enterprises in Gansu Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore what are the determinant influencing factors of the dilemma faced by state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) in implementing innovation‐driven development strategy (IDDS), to propose a suitable localized theory. It also suggests specific actions to break the post‐effects dilemma with the support of this theory. Based on the innovation‐driven survey data of provincial SOEs in Gansu Province, this study adopts grounded theory to conduct exploratory research. This paper constructs a behavior process model of “pre‐motivation, innovation path, and post‐effects dilemma” to drive SOE's innovation and expounds on the incidence relation among the three. The results show that the external administrative force and institutional mechanism drive have both indirect and direct impacts on the innovation path choice of SOEs. The endogenous drive is distorted by external administrative force and institutional mechanism drive, leading to the limited innovation path choice and post‐effects dilemma. This paper puts forward the theory of “Attribute Imbalance–Weakened Autonomy–Sluggish Innovation” and explains why it is sometimes difficult to implement the IDDS of SOEs. However, there are some regional limitations in the application scenarios of the theory. Whether it has broader implications need to further explore. Future theoretical testing should be conducted with a sample of SOEs in developed market regions. It is possible to study the differences in the degree of government intervention in SOEs, the ways of intervention, and the impact of these differences on SOEs' balancing dual attribute conflicts.

When they are more than just employees: Environmentally conscious decision‐making in employee‐owned organizations

“…This approach facilitated a comprehensive exploration of our research question, anchoring our investigation in the perspectives shared by key interviewees and supplemented by pertinent archival data (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Grounded theory research fits with the exploration of environmentally conscious decision-making because this methodology enables the exploration of diverse approaches taken by individuals when dealing with organizational matters, effectively transforming these patterns into theoretical constructs (Wang et al, 2023). Our systematic three-stage data analysis resulted in the development of abstract categories, themes, and dimensions underlying environmentally conscious decision-making in employee-owned organizations (Gioia et al, 2013).…”