The impact of social capital on mass customisation and product innovation capabilities

Zhang, Min, Lettice, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1304-4435 and Zhao, Xiande (2015) The impact of social capital on mass customisation and product innovation capabilities. International Journal of Production Research, 53. pp. 5251-5264. ISSN 0020-7543

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Abstract

Social capital with customers has three dimensions: structural, relational and cognitive capital. We propose a research model on the joint effects of the three dimensions of social capital on mass customisation capability (MCC) and product innovation capability (PIC). The hypotheses are empirically tested using structural equation modelling and data collected from 276 manufacturing firms in China. The results show that the three dimensions of social capital contribute to MCC and PIC development through different mechanisms. In particular, cognitive capital has a significant impact on MCC; relational capital significantly influences PIC; and structural capital indirectly associates with both MCC and PIC. We also find that structural capital enhances both relational and cognitive capital. MCC improves PIC and fully mediates cognitive capital’s effect on PIC. The findings extend current understanding about the complex interrelationships among structural, relational and cognitive capital and how to develop MCC and PIC by investing in social capital.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	social capital,mass customisation,product innovation,sdg 9 - industry, innovation, and infrastructure ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/industry_innovation_and_infrastructure
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Innovation, Technology and Operations Management
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	09 Mar 2015 07:26
Last Modified:	21 Mar 2023 09:32
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/52509
DOI:	10.1080/00207543.2015.1015753

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