What　are　the　driving　factors　of　disruptive　innovations　in　emerging　economies　from　a　network　perspective?　We　argue　that　three　forms　of　absorptive　capacity　(i.e.　exploratory,　exploitative　and　transformative　learning)　mediate　the　relationship　between　a　firm＇s　network　relations　and　disruptive　innovations.　We　tested　the　hypotheses　with　a　survey　of　251　firms　in　China　and　iterated　the　conceptual　model　to　reflect　the　crucial　insight　that　disrupters　in　emerging　economies　can　leap　from　exploratory　learning　to　disruptive　innovation.　We　surmise　exploratory　learning　help　disrupters　outsource　transformative　and　exploitative　learning　via　their　supply　chains.　Suggestions　for　future　research　and　limitations　are　also　discussed.　©　2020　Elsevier　B.V.