Opportunity-enhancing human resource practices and radical innovation : the mediating role of exploration

Aim/purpose - This study evaluates the influence of opportunity-enhancing human resource practices on radical innovation and examines the mediating role of exploration capability in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach - Hypotheses were formulated to determine the relationship between opportunity-enhancing human resource practices and radical innovation, as well as the mediating role that exploration capability plays in this relationship. These were tested in 168 Colombian companies from the telecommunications and chemical-pharmaceutical sectors using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. Findings - The study indicates that opportunity-enhancing human resource practices positively and significantly influence radical innovation. In addition, this relationship is mediated by exploration capability. Research implications/limitations - Organizations should implement opportunity-enhancing human resource practices to support radical innovation development. These practices provide employees with opportunities to explore relevant knowledge and technologies necessary for radical innovation. Originality/value/contribution - Identifying and testing a specific group of human resource practices that facilitate radical innovation is one of the most significant gaps in the scientific literature on the relationship between human resource practices and innovation. According to this article, opportunity-enhancing human resource practices facilitate radical innovation in organizations. Furthermore, previous research has not examined the relationship between opportunity-enhancing human resource practices, exploration capability, and radical innovation.