Empirical Study on the Discourse Power of Enterprises in the Industrial Chain Based on Their Innovation Ability

Abstract

With the continuous evolution of the global industrial chain division of labor pattern, the position and influence of enterprises in the industrial chain has become an important indicator to measure their competitive advantages. Based on the panel data of Chinese A-share listed companies during the period of 2014-2023, this paper systematically analyzes the influence of corporate innovation ability on its discourse power in the industrial chain, and further reveals its path and regulating factors. By constructing a multi-dimensional index system and empirical model, the study finds that improving innovation capability significantly helps to enhance the dominant ability of enterprises in industrial chain coordination and decision-making, which is manifested in the enhancement of their voice in upstream and downstream cooperation, resource acquisition, and rule-making. Further group regression analysis shows that the location of enterprises in the supply chain significantly affects the marginal effect of innovation capability on voice, i.e., enterprises located in the core or key nodes have a more prominent positive effect of their innovations on voice. This study expands the existing theoretical knowledge on the relationship between enterprise innovation and industry chain governance, and provides systematic references and practical insights for constructing an efficient and synergistic industry chain ecology and optimizing enterprise strategic resource allocation.