Co-evolution of firm innovative capability and external network: entrepreneurial orientation as antecedent – a longitudinal case study of the CHINT group

Based on the longitudinal case study of the CHINT group for about 40 years, this paper analyses co-evolution of cluster firm innovative capabilities and its external networks; results show that firm's product and market exploratory/exploitative innovation have been improved with the continuous development of network type from manufacturing and marketing network to innovation network, and evolution of network construction by changing network relations, size and range. Then the levels of internal innovative capabilities and developments in different stages restrict and influence the characters and evolutionary path of network types and constructions. But, entrepreneurial orientation will also bring significant impacts on the co-evolution of innovation capabilities and firm's external networks.