HRMARS - Purpose: This study investigates the interplay between technological competence, collaborative innovation, and innovation performance within the context of Chinese manufacturing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Utilizing a theoretical framework that integrates the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities perspective, the research posits that technological competence is a critical antecedent to collaborative innovation, which in turn enhances innovation performance. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected from 163 SMEs representatives in China. PLS-SEM analysis was conducted to verify the proposed hypotheses. Findings: The current study demonstrated that technological competence significantly influences collaborative innovation, which subsequently drives innovation performance. Furthermore, collaborative innovation is identified as a vital mediating mechanism that amplifies the impact of technological competence on innovation outcomes. Research limitations/implications: The findings underscore the importance of fostering technological capabilities and collaborative networks to navigate the challenges of a volatile market environment, providing actionable insights for SMEs aiming to enhance their innovation capabilities through strategic partnerships. Originality/value: This research contributes to the understanding of how internal resources can be leveraged through external collaborations to achieve superior innovation performance in the manufacturing sector.
Feng et al. (2026) studied this question.
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