Business Model Innovation from a Human Resource Empowerment Perspective: Research on Business Ecosystem Construction of Chinese Enterprises
This research investigates how human resource empowerment influences business model innovation and business ecosystem construction in Chinese enterprises. Adopting a mixed-methods approach integrating case studies of Huawei, Alibaba, and Haier with a survey of 213 Chinese enterprises, the study examines the mechanisms through which human resource empowerment practices contribute to ecosystem development. The findings reveal that human resource empowerment positively affects business ecosystem construction both directly (β = 0.297) and indirectly through business model innovation (β = 0.163). Among the dimensions of empowerment, developmental empowerment demonstrates the strongest influence on ecosystem construction (β = 0.358), while psychological empowerment most significantly impacts business model innovation (β = 0.386). Digital maturity enhances the relationship between human resource empowerment and ecosystem construction, while institutional support strengthens the translation of business model innovations into ecosystem development. The case studies illustrate how different empowerment forms support distinct ecosystem strategies while revealing implementation challenges. This research contributes to management theory by addressing a critical gap through demonstrating how human resource empowerment creates microfoundations for ecosystem capabilities, extending beyond the traditional technological focus. The findings emphasize the strategic importance of aligning human resource empowerment approaches with ecosystem objectives and integrating human and technological capabilities for sustainable business ecosystem development.
[1] Andreassen, T. W., Lervik-Olsen, L., Snyder, H., Van Riel, A. C., Sweeney, J. C., & Van Vaerenbergh, Y. (2018). Business model innovation and value-creation: The triadic way. Journal of Service Management, 29(5), 883-906.
[2] Apanasovich, N., Alcalde-Heras, H., & Parrilli, M. D. (2018). A new approach to business innovation modes: The 'Research, Technology and Human Resource Management (RTH) model' in the ICT sector in Belarus. In Innovation in SMEs and micro firms (pp. 80-104). Routledge.
[3] Aust, I., Matthews, B., & Muller-Camen, M. (2020). Common good HRM: A paradigm shift in sustainable HRM? Human Resource Management Review, 30(3), 100705.
[4] Azizi, M. R., Atlasi, R., Ziapour, A., Abbas, J., & Naemi, R. (2021). Innovative human resource management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic narrative review approach. Heliyon, 7(6), e07233.
[5] Chang, L. C., Liao, Y., Tang, H., Huang, S., Liu, Y., & Zhu, S. (2024). An ecosystem-oriented business model to promote well-being via digital technology: A multi-case narrative inquiry in China. Asia Pacific Business Review, Latest Articles, 1-21.
[6] Chang, L. C., Wang, X., Zhang, S. Q., Chen, C. B., Yuan, Z. H., Zeng, X. J., & Tsai, S. B. (2021). User-driven business model innovation: An ethnographic inquiry into Toutiao in the Chinese context. Asia Pacific Business Review, 27(3), 359-377.
[7] Clauss, T. (2017). Measuring business model innovation: Conceptualization, scale development, and proof of performance. R&D Management, 47(3), 385-403.
[8] Cooke, F. L., Dickmann, M., & Parry, E. (2022). Building sustainable societies through human-centred human resource management: Emerging issues and research opportunities. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(1), 1-15.
[9] Cooke, F. L., Dickmann, M., & Parry, E. (2023). Building a sustainable ecosystem of human resource management research: Reflections and suggestions. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 34(3), 459-477.
[10] Dias Sant'Ana, T., de Souza Bermejo, P. H., Moreira, M. F., & de Souza, W. V. B. (2020). The structure of an innovation ecosystem: Foundations for future research. Management Decision, 58(12), 2725-2742.
[11] Ghobakhloo, M. (2020). Industry 4.0, digitization, and opportunities for sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119869.
[12] Guo, H., Zhao, J., & Tang, J. (2013). The role of top managers' human and social capital in business model innovation. Chinese Management Studies, 7(3), 447-469.
[13] Han, X., & Zhang, J. (2022). Business model innovation paths of manufacturing oriented towards green development in digital economy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16454.
[14] Hanelt, A., Bohnsack, R., Marz, D., & Antunes Marante, C. (2020). A systematic review of the literature on digital transformation: Insights and implications for strategy and organizational change. Journal of Management Studies, 58(5), 1159-1197.
[15] Hein, A., Schreieck, M., Riasanow, T., Setzke, D. S., Wiesche, M., Böhm, M., & Krcmar, H. (2020). Digital platform ecosystems. Electronic Markets, 30(1), 87-98.
[16] Jiao, S., & Sun, Q. (2021). Digital economic development and its impact on economic growth in China: Research based on the perspective of sustainability. Sustainability, 13(18), 10245.
[17] Kajtazi, K., Rexhepi, G., Sharif, A., & Ozturk, I. (2023). Business model innovation and its impact on corporate sustainability. Journal of Business Research, 166, 114082.
[18] Komm, A., Pollner, F., Schaninger, B., & Sikka, S. (2021). The new possible: How HR can help build the organization of the future. McKinsey Global Publishing, 3, 12.
[19] Koster, F., & Benda, L. (2020). Innovative human resource management: measurement, determinants and outcomes. International Journal of Innovation Science, 12(3), 287-302.
[20] Lee, J., Suh, T., Roy, D., & Baucus, M. (2019). Emerging technology and business model innovation: The case of artificial intelligence. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 5(3), 44.
[21] Li, H., Hu, Q., Zhao, G., & Li, B. (2022). The co-evolution of knowledge management and business model transformation in the post-COVID-19 era: Insights based on Chinese e-commerce companies. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(5), 1113-1123.
[22] Li, X., Cao, J., Liu, Z., & Luo, X. (2020). Sustainable business model based on digital twin platform network: The inspiration from Haier's case study in China. Sustainability, 12(3), 936.
[23] Li, X., Zhang, L., & Cao, J. (2023). Research on the mechanism of sustainable business model innovation driven by the digital platform ecosystem. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 68, 101738.
[24] Li, Y., & Li, T. (2021). Construction of enterprise 5G business ecosystem: Case study of Huawei. American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, 11(1), 92-110.
[25] Liu, L., Cui, L., Han, Q., & Zhang, C. (2024). The impact of digital capabilities and dynamic capabilities on business model innovation: The moderating effect of organizational inertia. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1-10.
[26] Liu, X., & Zhang, L. (2024). Entrepreneurial bricolage, business model innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurial performance of digital entrepreneurial ventures: The moderating effect of digital entrepreneurial ecosystem empowerment. Sustainability, 16(18), 8168.
[27] Loon, M., Otaye ‐ Ebede, L., & Stewart, J. (2020). Thriving in the new normal: The HR microfoundations of capabilities for business model innovation. An integrated literature review. Journal of Management Studies, 57(3), 698-726.
[28] Nambisan, S., Wright, M., & Feldman, M. (2019). The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes. Research Policy, 48(8), 103773.
[29] Niyawanont, N. (2023). The influence of start-up entrepreneurship and disruptive business model on firm performance. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 11(1), 57-76.
[30] Ouyang, R., Jing, W., Liu, Z., & Tang, A. (2024). Development of China's digital economy: path, advantages and problems. Journal of Internet and Digital Economics, 4(3), 141-160.
[31] Plis, K., & Schislyaeva, E. (2020, November). Digital transformation in business in the modern world-a new approach to the development of human capital. In Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference-Digital Transformation on Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Service (pp. 1-6).
[32] Rodriguez, R., Molina-Castillo, F. J., & Svensson, G. (2020). Enterprise resource planning and business model innovation: process, evolution and outcome. European Journal of Innovation Management, 23(4), 728-752.
[33] Rong, K., Lin, Y., Li, B., Burström, T., Butel, L., & Yu, J. (2018). Business ecosystem research agenda: More dynamic, more embedded, and more internationalized. Asian Business & Management, 17(3), 167-182.
[34] Sabatini, A., Cucculelli, M., & Gregori, G. L. (2022). Business model innovation and digital technology: The perspective of incumbent Italian small and medium-sized firms. Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 10(3), 23-35.
[35] Salamzadeh, A., Mortazavi, S., Hadizadeh, M., & Braga, V. (2023). Examining the effect of business model innovation on crisis management: The mediating role of entrepreneurial capability, resilience and business performance. Innovation & Management Review, 20(2), 132-146.
[36] Sun, X., Wang, H., Zhang, Y., & He, J. (2024). Mechanism of digital business model innovation driven by big data in manufacturing enterprises. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 18(2), 95-120.
[37] Wang, K., Feng, Y., & Liu, S. (2024). Analyzing the innovation ecosystem of China's major science and technology projects: From the ecological and systems science perspective. Project Leadership and Society, 5, 100156.
[38] Wang, M., Zhang, R., Abdulwase, R., Yan, S., & Muhammad, M. (2022). The construction of ecosystem and collaboration platform for enterprise open innovation. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 935644.
[39] Yin, S., Yu, Y., & Zhang, N. (2024). The effect of digital green strategic orientation on digital green innovation performance: From the perspective of digital green business model innovation. Sage Open, 14(2), 21582440241261130.