MARKET UNCERTAINTY AND INNOVATION ORIENTATION IN THE LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY: THE MODERATING ROLE OF STRATEGIC FORESIGHT

Abstract

The swift advancement of the low-altitude economy, including unmanned aerial vehicles, drone logistics, and airspace digitalisation, has created significant uncertainty for companies operating within an evolving technological landscape. This paper looks at how uncertainty in the market affects how companies approach innovation. It suggests that strategic foresight can help companies turn uncertainty into opportunity. This study utilises Strategic Foresight Theory and the Dynamic Capabilities Framework to examine how companies in the Chinese low-altitude economy integrate foresight practices with innovation strategies to maintain competitiveness. A mixed-methods approach, incorporating survey data from 210 enterprises and qualitative case studies, demonstrates that market uncertainty initially hinders innovation orientation; however, strategic foresight substantially alleviates its adverse effects. The results show that foresight is a sensing ability that turns environmental instability into proactive innovation, which helps both theory and management practice in new, uncertain fields.