Attaining Operating Performance through Pas De Trios of IT, Competitive Brokerage and Innovation

Antecedents to operating performance are found not only at the organizational or supply chain level of analysis, but also at the network level of analysis. Prior research has largely neglected the role of IT in facilitating operating performance while applying the theoretical lens of multi-firm networks. Our interdisciplinary research proposes two ideas that extend the IS literature. First, a brokerage position within a competition network (competitive brokerage) enhances operating performance by increasing innovation efficiency – mediation relationship. Second, IT for operational integration, which refers to the use of IT for intra- and inter- organizational integration of firm’s operations, strengthens the benefits realized from competitive brokerage on innovation efficiency – mediated-moderation relationship. Panel regression analysis on a longitudinal dataset of a multi-firm competition network, IT, innovation, and operational performance data, supports our theory. We demonstrate that operating performance can be attained through pas de trios of IT, competitive brokerage and innovation.