IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ids/ijcome/v8y2018i3-4p280-300.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Structural characteristics of knowledge exchange in innovation networks

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Rothgang
  • Bernhard Lageman

Abstract

While there is a large pool of assured knowledge about various general dimensions of the structure and dynamics of innovation networks, several basic structural features deserve more attention in future research on network effects. Our contribution concentrates on three key structural characteristics: i) the type of actors; ii) contexts and (inter-) organisational environments of networks; iii) modes and contents of knowledge exchange. We discuss the role of these structural characteristics by using research material from an accompanying evaluation of the German 'Leading-Edge Clusters Competition'. Major results are: Innovation network actors are rather heterogeneous entities, stretching from highly complex organisations to single individuals. Networks are embedded in different sectoral, organisational and situational contexts. In many cases, even defining the boundaries of the relevant network is a challenge for innovation researchers. Knowledge exchange flows through different channels, and can be seen as a context-dependent combination of formal and tacit elements.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Rothgang & Bernhard Lageman, 2018. "Structural characteristics of knowledge exchange in innovation networks," International Journal of Computational Economics and Econometrics, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 8(3/4), pages 280-300.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijcome:v:8:y:2018:i:3/4:p:280-300
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96382
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version below or search for a different version of it.

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dehio, Jochen & Engel, Dirk & Rothgang, Michael & Fertig, Michael & Scholz, Anne-Marie & Linshalm, Enikö & Ploder, Michael & Cantner, Uwe & Graf, Holger & Hinzmann, Susanne & Töpfer, Stefan, 2014. "Begleitende Evaluierung des Förderinstruments "Spitzencluster-Wettbewerb" des BMBF. Abschlussbericht," RWI Projektberichte, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, number 111482, March.
    2. Cowan, Robin & Jonard, Nicolas, 2004. "Network structure and the diffusion of knowledge," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 28(8), pages 1557-1575, June.
    3. Ash Amin & Patrick Cohendet, 2004. "Architectures of knowledge : Firms, capabilities, and communities," Post-Print hal-00279605, HAL.
    4. Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), 2010. "Handbook of the Economics of Innovation," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 1, number 1.
    5. Cristiano Antonelli (ed.), 2011. "Handbook on the Economic Complexity of Technological Change," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13391.
    6. Rothgang, Michael & Cantner, Uwe & Dehio, Jochen & Engel, Dirk & Fertig, Michael & Graf, Holger & Hinzmann, Susanne & Linshalm, Enikö & Ploder, Michael & Scholz, Anne-Marie & Töpfer, Stefan, 2014. "Begleitende Evaluierung des Förderinstruments "Spitzencluster-Wettbewerb" des BMBF. Abschlussbericht - Kurzfassung," RWI Materialien 83, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung.
    7. Powell, Walter W. & Giannella, Eric, 2010. "Collective Invention and Inventor Networks," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 575-605, Elsevier.
    8. Jason Owen-Smith & Walter W. Powell, 2004. "Knowledge Networks as Channels and Conduits: The Effects of Spillovers in the Boston Biotechnology Community," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(1), pages 5-21, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ivan Savin, 2021. "On optimal regimes of knowledge exchange: a model of recombinant growth and firm networks," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer;Society for Economic Science with Heterogeneous Interacting Agents, vol. 16(3), pages 497-527, July.
    2. Feldman, Maryann P. & Kogler, Dieter F., 2010. "Stylized Facts in the Geography of Innovation," Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, in: Bronwyn H. Hall & Nathan Rosenberg (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 381-410, Elsevier.
    3. Iris Wanzenböck & Thomas Scherngell & Thomas Brenner, 2013. "What determines the position of regions in European knowledge networks? A comparative perspective on R&D collaboration, co-patent and co-publication networks," ERSA conference papers ersa13p332, European Regional Science Association.
    4. Graf, Holger & Kalthaus, Martin, 2018. "International research networks: Determinants of country embeddedness," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(7), pages 1198-1214.
    5. Michael Fritsch & Moritz Zoellner, 2020. "The fluidity of inventor networks," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 1063-1087, August.
    6. Uwe Cantner & Holger Graf, 2011. "Innovation Networks: Formation, Performance and Dynamics," Chapters, in: Cristiano Antonelli (ed.), Handbook on the Economic Complexity of Technological Change, chapter 15, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Iris Wanzenböck & Thomas Scherngell & Thomas Brenner, 2013. "Embeddedness of regions in European knowledge networks. A comparative analysis of inter-regional R and D collaborations, co-patents and co-publications," Working Papers on Innovation and Space 2013-07, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    8. Antonelli, Cristiano, 2017. "Digital knowledge generation and the appropriability trade-off," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(10), pages 991-1002.
    9. Rosina Moreno & Ernest Miguélez, 2012. "A Relational Approach To The Geography Of Innovation: A Typology Of Regions," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 492-516, July.
    10. Harald Bathelt & Sebastian Henn, 2014. "The Geographies of Knowledge Transfers over Distance: Toward a Typology," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 46(6), pages 1403-1424, June.
    11. Michael Rothgang & Jochen Dehio & Bernhard Lageman, 2019. "Analysing the effects of cluster policy: What can we learn from the German leading-edge cluster competition?," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1673-1697, December.
    12. Lee Fleming & Charles King & Adam I. Juda, 2007. "Small Worlds and Regional Innovation," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 18(6), pages 938-954, December.
    13. Iris Wanzenböck & Thomas Scherngell & Thomas Brenner, 2014. "Embeddedness of regions in European knowledge networks: a comparative analysis of inter-regional R&D collaborations, co-patents and co-publications," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 53(2), pages 337-368, September.
    14. Markus Grillitsch & Magnus Nilsson, 2019. "Knowledge externalities and firm heterogeneity: Effects on high and low growth firms," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 98(1), pages 93-114, February.
    15. Miguélez, Ernest & Moreno, Rosina, 2015. "Knowledge flows and the absorptive capacity of regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 833-848.
    16. Gay, Brigitte, 2008. "Firm dynamic governance of global innovation by means of flexible networks of connections," MPRA Paper 12525, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Antonelli Cristiano & Colombelli Alessandra, 2013. "Knowledge cumulability and complementarity in the knowledge generation function," Department of Economics and Statistics Cognetti de Martiis. Working Papers 201305, University of Turin.
    18. Ernest Miguélez & Rosina Moreno, 2013. "“Mobility, networks and innovation: The role of regions’ absorptive capacity”," IREA Working Papers 201316, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Oct 2013.
    19. Ganglmair, Bernhard & Holcomb, Alex & Myung, Noah, 2020. "Expectations of reciprocity when competitors share information: Experimental evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 244-267.
    20. Abbasiharofteh, Milad & Kogler, Dieter F. & Lengyel, Balázs, 2023. "Atypical combinations of technologies in regional co-inventor networks," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 52(10), pages 1-1.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ids:ijcome:v:8:y:2018:i:3/4:p:280-300. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sarah Parker (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=311 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.