The impact of agile supply chain strategy on manufacturers’ ambidextrous innovation—the role of relational governance and information technology capability

Based on the Strategy-Structure-Performance (SSP) framework and Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT), this study examines how relational governance (RG) mediates the relationship between agile supply chain strategy (ASCS) and ambidextrous innovation performance (including exploratory innovation performance (EXIP) and exploitative innovation performance (EIIP)). Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of information technology capabilities (ITC) in this relationship. We conducted an empirical analysis using data from 208 Chinese manufacturing companies, employing hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test our hypotheses. Our findings indicate that ASCS influences firm innovation performance indirectly through relational governance mechanisms. Interestingly, contrary to our initial expectations, we found that higher innovation performance occurs when relational capability and technical capability (ITC) act as substitutes rather than complements.