Evaluating innovation networks in emerging technologies

Interorganisational innovation networks are increasingly important for innovation in emerging technology fields. The performance of such networks can have a large impact on the future development of emerging technologies. A useful framework for the evaluation of innovation networks however does not yet exist. In this paper, such a framework is developed, using elements of the social network analysis literature and the resource-based view. This framework is subsequently applied to compare two policy-driven innovation networks: 1) the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine; and 2) the BioMedical Materials program. Based on this first empirical exploration of the framework implications for management and further policy development are formulated.     

The opportunity cost of social relations: On the effectiveness of small worlds

The aim of this paper is to extend the theoretical literature on knowledge and network structure by studying the use of social networks as a learning mechanism. The novelty of this approach is suggested by the empirical evidence on informal trading of know-how. In the model, we consider a set of actors who create and diffuse knowledge with the aim of increasing their own personal knowledge. They are located on a lattice (identifying the social space) and are directly connected to a small number of other individuals. We assume that individuals can learn individually or socially, and that individuals choose how to learn on the basis of a cost-benefit comparison. Within this framework, we compare network structures in terms of efficiency and equity. We find that the opportunity cost of using the network affects its optimal structure in terms of aggregate performance and that the small world does not emerge unambiguously as being the most efficient.     

Measuring knowledge persistence: a genetic approach to patent citation networks

The aim of this paper is to propose a new empirical method for identifying technologically important patents within a patent citation network and to apply it to the telecommunication switching industry. The method proposed is labelled the genetic approach, as it is inspired by population genetics: as geneticists are interested in studying patterns of migration and therefore the common origins of people, in innovation studies we are interested in tracing the origin and the evolution of today knowledge. In the context of patent and citation networks, this is done by calculating the patent’s persistence index, i.e., decomposing patent’s knowledge applying the Mendelian law of gene inheritance. This draws on the idea that the more a patent is related (through citations) to “descendent” patents, the more it affects future technological development and therefore its contribution persists in the technology. Results show that the method proposed is successful in reducing the number of both nodes and links considered. Furthermore, our method is indeed successful in identifying technological discontinuities where previous knowledge is not relevant for current technological development.     

Responsible innovators: open networks on the way to sustainability transitions

This paper elucidates ways in which small high-technology companies through using open knowledge networks may contribute to sustainability transitions. The analysis focuses on young university spin-off companies as an important channel for bringing responsible innovations from university to market while it connects the micro-level with the meso-level of networks supporting socio-technical system changes. A conceptual reflection on responsible innovation, openness in knowledge networks and socio-technical systems’ transitions, is followed by an empirical research. Based on a hundred companies and four case studies, the results indicate that responsible innovation is one of the drivers of openness in knowledge networks. However, partner diversity in openness tends to have a negative effect on growth of the companies. Our preliminary evidence indicates that focus (product–market) and selectivity in the choice of partners connected to professional (venture) capital, market access, credibility and complementary assets are highly relevant when it comes to influencing change in socio-technical systems. A discussion of the implications of this study and suggestions for future research close the paper.     

Managing for environmentally sensitive technology: networks for collaboration and learning

Environmental issues are acknowledged as problems which transcend boundaries at organizational and societal levles. By adopting the notion of product stewardship, companies are required to manage their products from conception to resurrection, while recognizing many stakeholder interests. This demands a new style of management which emphasizes collaborative structures. In the case of teh development of greener, more environmentally sensitive technology, there is a role for new collaborative networks which affect technology in either incremental or revolutionary ways. These networks can exist within the organization (intra-organizational), between organizations in the supply chain (trans-organizational) and with organizations at the domain level (supra-organizational). This paper analyzes the management, development and effect of thse networks on the greening of technology. It sets out a conceptual framework for exploring the role of collaborations in the management and development of environmentally sensitive technology. It than links the types of collaboration to empirical evidence from a detailed case study of a major internationa UK manufacturing company. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for management and research that stem from the findings.     

Capacities,innovation and feedbacks in production networks in Argentina

This paper is based on an application of the complex systems approach to economics with the objective of exploring the micro- and meso-mechanisms of development. Under this approach, innovation can be seen as an emergent property that depends on micro interaction and on specificities of macro structure. This study emphasizes that the micro interactions can be described by the feedback mechanisms between the absorption and connectivity capacities of firms, and the macro structure by processes of creative destruction, knowledge appropriation and structural change. The paper presents empirical evidence on the feedback loops between absorption and connectivity capacities in production networks in Argentina and their impact on innovation results. This paper concludes that the restrictions on absorption capacity and mainly on connectivity capacity in several production networks in Argentina condition the development of positive feedbacks between the two capacities, and hence the scope of the innovation path.     

Knowledge Management in Practice: An Exploratory Case Study

Knowledge has been identified as one of the most important resources that contributes to the competitive advantage of an organization. The organizational and social issues associated with the development, implementation and use of information technology have increasingly attracted the attention of knowledge management researchers. The paper is based on an empirical investigation of knowledge sharing processes from an international organization, Buckman Laboratories. Through the socio-technical perspective, the paper traces the interactions between knowledge management practices and the organizational context. On the basis of the research, we propose a perspective of socio-technical theory relevant to knowledge management within organizations. We conclude that management and leadership play a critical role in establishing the multi-level context for the effective assimilation of knowledge management practice.     

Knowledge Management in Practice: An Exploratory Case Study

Knowledge has been identified as one of the most important resources that contributes to the competitive advantage of an organization. The organizational and social issues associated with the development, implementation and use of information technology have increasingly attracted the attention of knowledge management researchers. The paper is based on an empirical investigation of knowledge sharing processes from an international organization, Buckman Laboratories. Through the socio-technical perspective, the paper traces the interactions between knowledge management practices and the organizational context. On the basis of the research, we propose a perspective of socio-technical theory relevant to knowledge management within organizations. We conclude that management and leadership play a critical role in establishing the multi-level context for the effective assimilation of knowledge management practice.     

Risk-sharing networks

This paper considers the formation of risk-sharing networks. Following empirical findings, we build a model where pairs form links, but a population cannot coordinate links. As a benchmark, individuals commit to share monetary holdings equally with linked partners. We find efficient networks can (indirectly) connect all individuals and involve full insurance. But equilibrium networks connect fewer individuals. When breaking links, individuals do not consider negative externalities on others in the network. Thus identical individuals can end up in different positions in a network and have different outcomes. These results may help to explain empirical findings that risk-sharing is often asymmetric.     

Use of social networks in banking: a study in the Czech Republic

Social networks are becoming more and more important nowadays. Apart from regular users of the Internet, companies have started to use them in their business. Their potential is that a great number of people, future clients of big companies, use them on a daily basis. Thus, the aim of this article is to analyse the use of social networks in the banking sector of the Czech Republic, particularly with respect to customer support. The methods of this study include common data analysis and professional analysis. Common data analysis consists of the evaluation of public data from social networks and web pages of the selected bank institutions. The professional analysis is conducted by paid professional analytical tools that provide more detailed statistics. The findings of the study show that social networks are now well-established tools for the Czech banks to attract both their current and potential clients. The Czech banks seem to care about their clients by trying to meet their needs. Customer care and services provided, however, differ with type of bank.     

基于二元经济结构视角下的中国城乡收入差距

中国城乡收入差距扩大的趋势令人担忧。二元经济结构是造成城乡收入差距的较为突出的因素。本文借助西方发展经济学的理论和我国二元经济结构的实际,从理论和实证的角度分析我国二元经济结构对我国城乡收入差距的影响,本文的分析对建设社会主义新农村和建设和谐社会有一定的启示。     

代工企业知识管理与研发能力关系研究

对于发展中国家代工企业而言,如何取得技术知识并有效地运用在新产品开发与创新上,是其维持竞争优势的重要手段.代工企业产品开发能力的提升在很大程度上取决于其有效的知识管理能力.尽管当前对代工企业知识管理日益关注,但很少有实证研究探讨知识管理和产品开发能力之间的关系.因此,本文实证检验了代工企业知识管理对其新产品开发能力的影响,其中知识管理以知识获取、知识处理、知识运用三个主要活动为主.研究结果表明:知识获取、知识吸收、知识运用对代工企业产品开发能力有显著的正向影响.     

Online networks,social interaction and segregation: an evolutionary approach

There is growing evidence that face-to-face interaction is declining in many countries, exacerbating the phenomenon of social isolation. On the other hand, social interaction through online networking sites is steeply rising. To analyze these societal dynamics, we have built an evolutionary game model in which agents can choose between three strategies of social participation: 1) interaction via both online social networks and face-to-face encounters; 2) interaction by exclusive means of face-to-face encounters; 3) opting out from both forms of participation in pursuit of social isolation. We illustrate the dynamics of interaction among these three types of agent that the model predicts, in light of the empirical evidence provided by previous literature. We then assess their welfare implications. We show that when online interaction is less gratifying than offline encounters, the dynamics of agents’ rational choices of interaction will lead to the extinction of the sub-population of online networks users, thereby making Facebook and similar platforms disappear in the long run. Furthermore, we show that the higher the propensity for discrimination of those who interact via online social networks and via face-to-face encounters (i.e., their preference for the interaction with agents of their same type), the greater the probability will be that they all will end up choosing social isolation in the long run, making society fall into a “social poverty trap”.     

专利数据在创新管理研究中的应用综述与展望

大数据背景下，拓展研究者科研数据应用视野对于提高创新管理研究水平具有重要意义。围绕专利数据在创新管理研究中的应用，分别对专利数据分享平台、专利数据样本行业选择及时间跨度、专利数据清洗、专利数据合作网络、知识网络及引用网络、专利数据基本创新指标、专利数据创新绩效指标、专利数据处理分析模型及专利数据指标计算与分析平台进行综合评述，并从网络分析、创新指标挖掘与无形资产评估及案例研究3个方面提出专利数据未来应用方向，可为提高专利数据应用水平、研究创新管理问题提供理论和方法借鉴。     

Evolving networks of inventors

In this paper we develop a model of R&D alliance formation. Pairs of firms combine their knowledge in an attempt to innovate. Whether this attempt is successful depends in part on whether the pair has been successful in the past: accumulated experience teaches a pair of firms how to innovate together, but at the same time increases the similarity of their knowledge stocks. A tension exists between the desire for a familiar partner, and desire for a partner with complementary knowledge. How this tension is resolved depends on the nature of the innovation process itself, and the elasticity of substitution of different types of knowledge inputs in knowledge production. From the alliance-innovation process, a variety of networks form. In different parts of the parameter space we observe isolated agents, a dense, connected network, and small worlds.     

Does cooperation absorb complexity? Innovation networks and the speed and spread of complex technological innovation

A new technological paradigm which rewards cooperation in the innovation of complex technologies seems to have emerged in recent years. Global reach and greater innovation speed are said to be key benefits of network-based complex innovation. By bringing together multiple sources of knowledge and experience, networks of innovative firms and other organizations increasingly appear to be able to absorb the combination of spatial and temporal uncertainty. But what is the empirical evidence underpinning this new paradigm? Beyond case studies and the experience of individual researchers, what do we know about cooperation and the pace and place of complex innovations? Examination of available empirical research fails to confirm the theory that cooperation enhances either the globalization of innovation or its speed.     

Science and industry: a theory of networks and paradigms

The recent interest in 'network' forms of organization serves as a starting point to understand better the dynamic characteristics of technology development. Network theory allows one to describe the relationship between 'actors' involved in the development of new technologies, both cross-sectionaily and longitudinally, and, as a consequence, to model the structural and behavioural developement of a community of actors (regardless of whether this 'community' is defined as a set of individuals, e.g. the 'scientific' community, or is defined as a collection of organizations, e.g. an industry). In this paper, this network approach is used to develope a theoretical framework to undersiand the knowledge transition from 'scientific' paradigm status to a 'technological' paradigm status. It is belived that the propositions made in this paper will enable truly empirical studies on the nature of the development of 'scientific' and 'technological' paradigms.     

Optical networks and the future of broadband services

The evolution of broadband services will depend on the widespread deployment of optical networks. The deployment of such networks will, in turn, help drive increased demand for additional capacity. In this world, service providers will have a growing need to be able to flexibly adjust capacity to accommodate uncertain and growing demand. In this article, we present a cost model that highlights the advantages of new optical networking technologies such as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) over traditional architectures for optical networks. This analysis highlights the increased flexibility and scalability of DWDM networks, which lowers the deployment costs of such networks in light of growing and uncertain demand. The DWDM architecture holds the promise of allowing the emergence of wavelength markets, where traffic could be switched between service provider networks at the optical layer (without the need for multiple costly and wasteful electronic/optical conversions). While the DWDM and Optical Cross-Connect (OxC) technologies provide a technical infrastructure for supporting wavelength markets, additional developments are also likely to be required. This paper also considers some of the impediments to the growth of wavelength markets, namely, the need for secondary markets and standardized contracts.     

企业衍生效应对创新网络演化的作用机理研究

由创新网络和企业衍生概念入手，将衍生效应分解为知识溢出、集群创新文化和竞争关系3个维度，将集群创新网络分解为 “质”、“量”两个维度，以北京、大连、济南、天津高技术产业集群的衍生企业为对象，实证研究企业衍生效应对集群创新网络的影响。结果显示，企业衍生效应对集群创新网络演化存在正向促进作用。其中，知识溢出、集群创新文化与创新网络的“质”维度存在显著正相关关系，知识溢出、集群创新文化和适度竞争关系与创新网络的“量”维度存在显著正相关关系。     

Control and spread of contagion in networks with global effects

We study proliferation of an action in binary action network coordination games that are generalized to include global effects. This captures important aspects of proliferation of a particular action or narrative in online social networks, providing a basis to understand their impact on societal outcomes. Our model naturally captures complementarities among starting sets, network resilience, and global effects, and highlights interdependence in channels through which contagion spreads. We present new, natural, computationally tractable, and efficient algorithms to define and compute equilibrium objects that facilitate the general study of contagion in networks and prove their theoretical properties. Our algorithms are easy to implement and help to quantify relationships previously inaccessible due to computational intractability. Using these algorithms, we study the spread of contagion in scale-free networks with 1000 players using millions of Monte Carlo simulations. Our analysis provides quantitative and qualitative insight into the design of policies to control or spread contagion in networks. The scope of application is enlarged given the many other situations across different fields that may be modeled using this framework.