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Patterns of innovating networking in small firms

Patterns of innovating networking in small firms Purpose – Small firms rely on a variety of network partners, and in various roles, to initiate and implement innovations. While past typologies of innovation networking were defined at the level of firms or industries, the purpose of this paper is to develop a typology at the level of innovation objects. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on survey data of 594 innovations in Dutch small firms, cluster analysis is applied to develop a typology of networking patterns for innovation in small firms. Findings – In total, six patterns of innovation networking were identified: supplier‐based, customer‐based, informal‐based, bank/accountant‐based, science‐based and government‐based. The supplier‐based pattern is most dominant and characterized by modest and simple contributions from networking partners, while governments tend to be involved in innovations marked by voluminous and complex partner involvement. Validity of the typology is suggested by two findings: more voluminous and complex networking patterns are correlated with firms’ internal capabilities, and with the newness and competence requirements of innovations. Originality/value – For practitioners the typology provides a more fine‐grained view on how innovations in small firms are developed. This includes the role of relatives and friends, bank and accountants, and remote partners such as governments – network partners which so far were not covered in typologies of innovation networking. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png European Journal of Innovation Management Emerald Publishing

Patterns of innovating networking in small firms

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References (58)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1460-1060
DOI
10.1108/14601061211243639
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – Small firms rely on a variety of network partners, and in various roles, to initiate and implement innovations. While past typologies of innovation networking were defined at the level of firms or industries, the purpose of this paper is to develop a typology at the level of innovation objects. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on survey data of 594 innovations in Dutch small firms, cluster analysis is applied to develop a typology of networking patterns for innovation in small firms. Findings – In total, six patterns of innovation networking were identified: supplier‐based, customer‐based, informal‐based, bank/accountant‐based, science‐based and government‐based. The supplier‐based pattern is most dominant and characterized by modest and simple contributions from networking partners, while governments tend to be involved in innovations marked by voluminous and complex partner involvement. Validity of the typology is suggested by two findings: more voluminous and complex networking patterns are correlated with firms’ internal capabilities, and with the newness and competence requirements of innovations. Originality/value – For practitioners the typology provides a more fine‐grained view on how innovations in small firms are developed. This includes the role of relatives and friends, bank and accountants, and remote partners such as governments – network partners which so far were not covered in typologies of innovation networking.

Journal

European Journal of Innovation Management – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 27, 2012

Keywords: The Netherlands; Small firms; Innovation; Partners; Networking; Innovation networking; Typology

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