Essays on sustainable management strategies

Abstract

Firms implement various sustainable management strategies to achieve sustainable performance. In particular, technological innovation activities and the application of artificial intelligence can contribute to the sustainability of firms. Therefore, this dissertation aims to provide sustainable management strategies from the perspectives of open innovation and the application of artificial intelligence. The first essay examined the effect of external collaboration on innovation performance, and analyzed the moderating effect of appropriability mechanisms in the relationship between external collaboration and innovation performance. The results indicated that collaboration breadth, collaboration depth, and geographical proximity had different effects on innovation performance. In addition, appropriability mechanisms had different moderating effects depending on the type of external collaboration. The second essay examined how the use of artificial intelligence and human expert in the hiring process affects applicants’ perceptions. The results showed that, for jobs that required a high level of expertise, the use of human experts in the hiring process resulted in more positive perception of fairness, fewer negative emotional responses, and greater job pursuit intentions than the use of artificial intelligence. However, for jobs that required a low level of expertise, there were no differences in perceptions whether artificial intelligence or human experts evaluate potential employees. Through two essays, this dissertation suggests that firms should use differentiated appropriability strategies depending on the type of collaboration. Moreover, the level of job expertise should be considered in order to increase positive perceptions about the use of artificial intelligence in the hiring process.