Abstract

Purpose: Marketing networks are essential for firms to gain new information and resources, yet their effect on innovation performance under uncertainty remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the effects of technological and demand variability on the innovation performance of first-tier suppliers, considering different levels of structural holes. It particularly explores how structural holes moderate the relationship between uncertain factors and innovation performance. Research design, data and methodology: To assess the hypotheses, a survey was conducted with the first-tier suppliers. The survey targeted internal networks and the relationships between manufacturers, suppliers, and subsuppliers. Structural equation modeling was employed to validate the hypotheses using measures from previous research. Results: The findings indicate that the impact of technological uncertainty and demand variability on innovation performance varies based on the extent of structural holes in the network. Conclusions: This study provides both theoretical and practical insights for distribution channels, highlighting the competitive advantage of interfirm networks in uncertain conditions. However, the focus on the engineering industry may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should explore a broader range of industries to improve result applicability.