Enhancing organisational resilience of ‘Gazelle enterprises’ through network embeddedness and knowledge search: the moderating effect of digital transformation

ABSTRACTThis study assesses the influence of network embeddedness (NE) on the organizational resilience (OR) of Gazelle enterprises. NE presents an efficacious approach for these enterprises to access external knowledge and bolster their resilience. The study classifies NE into two variants: relational embeddedness (RE) and structural embeddedness (SE), subsequently analyzing their distinct impacts on the OR of Gazelle enterprises. In addition, the study delves into the intervening role of knowledge search (KS) and the moderating influence of digital transformation (DT) within the aforementioned relationships. Drawing upon survey data from 295 Chinese Gazelle enterprises, our empirical findings reveal that: (1) RE and SE exert positive influences on the OR of Gazelle enterprises; (2) KS partially mediates the associations between RE, SE, and OR of Gazelle enterprises; (3) DT positively moderates the relationships between RE, SE, and the OR of Gazelle enterprises. This study enhances understanding of the NE-OR relationship in Gazelle enterprises, shedding light on the mediational mechanisms underlying NE and defining the reason underlying that certain Gazelle enterprises capitalise more effectively on NE activities to augment their OR compared to others.KEYWORDS: Network embeddednessKnowledge searchOrganizational resilienceDigital transformation Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was financially supported by the Major projects in social science for technological self-reliance and self-improvement [grand number: 22ZDA048].Notes on contributorsHao DongHao Dong was born in Panjin, Liaoning, P.R. China, in 1990. Shaanxi Provincial Land Engineering Construction Group Co.. Now, he studies in School of Management, Xi'an Jiaotong University of Management Science and Engineering. His research interest include computational intelligence, technology transfer and Rural Indsutry. E-mail:donghao19@stu.xjtu.edu.cnGuangyuan XingGuangyuan Xing received his Ph.D. degree in School of Management, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, in 2015. He is currently a professor at School of Management, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China and executive deputy director of Research Center of Chinese Management. He has published more than 20 papers in international journals, such as Energy Economics and International Journal of Production Economics. His research interests include investment and financing decision, risk management, energy policy, and forecasting. E-mail: yihanma20191007@163.com