Network capabilities and firm performance: a meta-analytical study

PurposeThis study aims to perform a meta-analysis about network capabilities (NCs) and how they influence firm performance. Previous studies present distinct results regarding this relationship due to samples, cultural and contextual differences.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a meta-analysis of 33 papers published between 2008 and 2019.FindingsThe results contribute to theory and practice by (1) synthesizing previous research, testing the relationship between NCs and firm performance; (2) confirming the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on NCs; (3) showing how contextual variables affect the relationship between NCs and firm performance; (4) suggesting that NCs moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance.Practical implicationsFurthermore, the authors also offer managerial implications. Firms should consider investing in developing NCs to foster performance. Moreover, the contextual variables we investigated show that firms in specific contexts may experience a higher relevance of their NCs for firm performance.Originality/valueThis meta-analysis contributes to the management literature by offering a set of empirical generalizations, including relationship direct, mediation and moderation effects about network capabilities.