Internationalization speed and firm innovation: the moderating roles of negative attainment discrepancy and state-ownership

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the moderating roles of negative attainment discrepancy and state ownership in the relationship between internationalization speed and firm innovation. Design/methodology/approach Panel fixed-effects regressions model was applied to test the influence of internationalization speed on firm innovation using data collected from Chinese listed companies between 2003 and 2017. Findings The internationalization speed can positively promote firm innovation. Moreover, negative attainment discrepancy enhances the effect of internationalization speed on firm innovation. The effect of negative attainment discrepancy on internationalization speed and firm innovation performance is more positive in state-owned firms than in non-state-owned firms. Research limitations/implications A suitable time of internationalization speed to affect firm innovation is obtained. Practical implications This paper suggests that decision-makers should set an appropriate aspiration to internationalize firms and increase firm innovation. Moreover, state-owned enterprises should pay attention to negative attainment discrepancies. Originality/value The study revealed the boundary conditions of negative attainment discrepancy and state ownership on the relationship between internationalization speed and firm innovation, contributing to the theoretical advancements in internationalization speed.