IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/rvmgts/v17y2023i5d10.1007_s11846-022-00593-x.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Innovation intermediaries revised: a systematic literature review on innovation intermediaries’ role for knowledge sharing

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Feser

    (Georg-August University of Goettingen)

Abstract

The decision to collaborate for companies in knowledge exchange processes has become more complex due to a greater diversity of innovation intermediaries from companies, universities, government and societal actors. The aim of this study is to uncover and conceptualize the role of innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. Specifically in tacit knowledge sharing, intermediaries function as boundary spanners between various stakeholders in the innovation process. Despite this potential, which has been discussed in a large strand of case studies, there is no comprehensive concept to determine factors that influence innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. This paper develops an analytical framework of innovation intermediaries for prospective empirical work building on factors influencing innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing by systematically reviewing related literature. It specifically presents what are the determinants, factors and indicators discussed empirically innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. The first results is that the measurement of innovative outcome intermediaries enables a broader perspective in comparison to traditional innovation indicators. The second results that literature discusses indirect innovation that enhances clients’ innovative capabilities and their entrepreneurial activities. The third results demonstrates, that while the internal perspective varies with the heterogeneous actors, the development of contextual knowledge of intermediaries in networks and its transfer is central for empirical analysis. The conceptualization of this framework paves the path for further research needed to uncover the role of intermediaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Feser, 2023. "Innovation intermediaries revised: a systematic literature review on innovation intermediaries’ role for knowledge sharing," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(5), pages 1827-1862, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:17:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s11846-022-00593-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-022-00593-x
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11846-022-00593-x
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11846-022-00593-x?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

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

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bernhard Fabian Bichler & Andreas Kallmuenzer & Mike Peters & Tanja Petry & Thomas Clauss, 2022. "Regional entrepreneurial ecosystems: how family firm embeddedness triggers ecosystem development," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 15-44, January.
    2. Stanislav Zaichenko, 2018. "The human resource dimension of science-based technology transfer: lessons from Russian RTOs and innovative enterprises," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 368-388, April.
    3. Han, Shaojie & Su, Jingqin & Lyu, Yibo & Liu, Qing, 2022. "How do business incubators govern incubation relationships with different new ventures?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Grupp, Hariolf & Schubert, Torben, 2010. "Review and new evidence on composite innovation indicators for evaluating national performance," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 67-78, February.
    5. Mario Benassi & Alfredo D'Angelo & Guido Geenen, 2012. "IP Intermediaries in Europe: A Web Content Analysis," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(4), pages 307-325, May.
    6. De Silva, Muthu & Howells, Jeremy & Meyer, Martin, 2018. "Innovation intermediaries and collaboration: Knowledge–based practices and internal value creation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 70-87.
    7. Smith, Adrian & Stirling, Andy & Berkhout, Frans, 2005. "The governance of sustainable socio-technical transitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1491-1510, December.
    8. Howells, Jeremy, 2006. "Intermediation and the role of intermediaries in innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 715-728, June.
    9. Knockaert, Mirjam & Spithoven, André & Clarysse, Bart, 2014. "The impact of technology intermediaries on firm cognitive capacity additionality," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 376-387.
    10. Paola Castellani & Chiara Rossato & Elena Giaretta & Raffaela Davide, 2021. "Tacit knowledge sharing in knowledge-intensive firms: the perceptions of team members and team leaders," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 125-155, January.
    11. Joanne Larty & Sarah Jack & Nigel Lockett, 2017. "Building regions: a resource-based view of a policy-led knowledge exchange network," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(7), pages 994-1007, July.
    12. Tindara Abbate & Raffaella Coppolino & Francesco Schiavone, 2013. "Linking Entities in Knowledge Transfer: The Innovation Intermediaries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 4(3), pages 233-243, September.
    13. Eneka Albizu & Mikel Olazaran & Cristina Lavía & Beatriz Otero, 2017. "Making visible the role of vocational education and training in firm innovation: evidence from Spanish SMEs," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(11), pages 2057-2075, November.
    14. Alexander, Allen T. & Martin, Dominique Philippe, 2013. "Intermediaries for open innovation: A competence-based comparison of knowledge transfer offices practices," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 38-49.
    15. Hugo Pinto & Manuel Fernandez-Esquinas & Elvira Uyarra, 2015. "Universities and Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) as Sources of Knowledge for Innovative Firms in Peripheral Regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(11), pages 1873-1891, November.
    16. Jose Antonio Belso-Martinez & Isabel Diez-Vial & Maria Jose Lopez-Sanchez & Rosario Mateu-Garcia, 2018. "The brokerage role of supporting organizations inside clusters: how does it work?," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(4), pages 706-725, April.
    17. Axenbeck, Janna & Breithaupt, Patrick, 2019. "Web-based innovation indicators: Which firm website characteristics relate to firm-level innovation activity?," ZEW Discussion Papers 19-063, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    18. Elisabeth F. Mueller & Carola Jungwirth, 2016. "What drives the effectiveness of industrial clusters? Exploring the impact of contextual, structural and functioning determinants," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(5-6), pages 424-447, May.
    19. Kollmann, Tobias & Stöckmann, Christoph & Niemand, Thomas & Hensellek, Simon & de Cruppe, Katharina, 2021. "A configurational approach to entrepreneurial orientation and cooperation explaining product/service innovation in digital vs. non-digital startups," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 508-519.
    20. Véronique Schaeffer & Mireille Matt, 2016. "Development of academic entrepreneurship in a non-mature context: the role of the university as a hub-organisation," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(9-10), pages 724-745, October.
    21. Herbert Endres & Stefan Huesig & Robin Pesch, 2022. "Digital innovation management for entrepreneurial ecosystems: services and functionalities as drivers of innovation management software adoption," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 135-156, January.
    22. Janger, Jürgen & Schubert, Torben & Andries, Petra & Rammer, Christian & Hoskens, Machteld, 2017. "The EU 2020 innovation indicator: A step forward in measuring innovation outputs and outcomes?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 30-42.
    23. Richard Shearmur & David Doloreux, 2019. "KIBS as both innovators and knowledge intermediaries in the innovation process: Intermediation as a contingent role," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 98(1), pages 191-209, February.
    24. D.P. Soetanto, 2006. "Nurturing technology-based firms: the resources-based perspective in the incubation process," International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(6), pages 534-547.
    25. Lee, Hsing-fen & Miozzo, Marcela, 2019. "Which types of knowledge-intensive business services firms collaborate with universities for innovation?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7), pages 1633-1646.
    26. Ricarda B. Bouncken & Andreas J. Reuschl, 2018. "Coworking-spaces: how a phenomenon of the sharing economy builds a novel trend for the workplace and for entrepreneurship," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 317-334, January.
    27. Anna Yström & Hedvig Aspenberg, 2017. "Open For Innovation? Practices Supporting Collaboration In Swedish Regional Clusters," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 21(05), pages 1-28, June.
    28. Ricarda Bouncken & Johanna Gast & Sascha Kraus & Marcel Bogers, 2015. "Coopetition: a systematic review, synthesis, and future research directions," Post-Print hal-02018068, HAL.
    29. Pina, Katia & Tether, Bruce S., 2016. "Towards understanding variety in knowledge intensive business services by distinguishing their knowledge bases," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 401-413.
    30. Todeva, Emanuela, 2013. "Governance of Innovation and Intermediation in Triple Helix Interactions," MPRA Paper 67612, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    31. Ricarda Bouncken & Johanna Gast & Sascha Kraus & Marcel Bogers, 2015. "Coopetition: a systematic review, synthesis, and future research directions," Post-Print hal-02945341, HAL.
    32. Federico Stezano, 2018. "The Role of Technology Centers as Intermediary Organizations Facilitating Links for Innovation: Four Cases of Federal Technology Centers in Mexico," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 35(4), pages 642-666, July.
    33. Sergey Kolesnikov & Seokkyun Woo & Yin Li & Philip Shapira & Jan Youtie, 2019. "Mapping the emergence of international university research ventures," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(4), pages 1134-1162, August.
    34. Owen, A. & Mitchell, G. & Gouldson, A., 2014. "Unseen influence—The role of low carbon retrofit advisers and installers in the adoption and use of domestic energy technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 169-179.
    35. Abdullah Gök & Alec Waterworth & Philip Shapira, 2015. "Use of web mining in studying innovation," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(1), pages 653-671, January.
    36. Dziallas, Marisa & Blind, Knut, 2019. "Innovation indicators throughout the innovation process: An extensive literature analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 80, pages 3-29.
    37. Lorella Cannavacciuolo & Guido Capaldo & Pierluigi Rippa, 2015. "Innovation processes in moderately innovative countries: the competencies of knowledge brokers," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(1), pages 63-82.
    38. Polzin, Friedemann & von Flotow, Paschen & Klerkx, Laurens, 2016. "Addressing barriers to eco-innovation: Exploring the finance mobilisation functions of institutional innovation intermediaries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 34-46.
    39. Alicia Rodríguez & María Jesús Nieto & Luis Santamaría, 2018. "International collaboration and innovation in professional and technological knowledge-intensive services," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 408-431, April.
    40. Raffaella Coppolino & Tindara Abbate, 2012. "Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: The Contribution of Innovation Intermediaries," Springer Books, in: Marco De Marco & Dov Te'eni & Valentina Albano & Stefano Za (ed.), Information Systems: Crossroads for Organization, Management, Accounting and Engineering, edition 127, pages 251-258, Springer.
    41. Margherita Russo & Annalisa Caloffi & Federica Rossi & Riccardo Righi, 2019. "Innovation intermediaries and performance-based incentives: A case study of regional innovation poles," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 46(1), pages 1-12.
    42. Annelore Huyghe & Mirjam Knockaert & Mike Wright & Evila Piva, 2014. "Technology transfer offices as boundary spanners in the pre-spin-off process: the case of a hybrid model," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 289-307, August.
    43. Chen, Shih-Hsin & Lin, Wei-Ting, 2018. "Analyzing determinants for promoting emerging technology through intermediaries by using a DANP-based MCDA framework," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 94-110.
    44. Constance Horne & Vincent Dutot, 2017. "Challenges in technology transfer: an actor perspective in a quadruple helix environment," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 42(2), pages 285-301, April.
    45. Anna Comacchio & Sara Bonesso & Claudio Pizzi, 2012. "Boundary spanning between industry and university: the role of Technology Transfer Centres," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 37(6), pages 943-966, December.
    46. Joana Almodovar & Aurora A.C. Teixeira, 2014. "Assessing the Importance of Local Supporting Organizations in the Automotive Industry: A Hybrid Dynamic Framework of Innovation Networks," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 841-865, April.
    47. Hung-Nien Hsieh & Chi-Mei Chen & Jun-Yao Wang & Tai-Shan Hu, 2015. "Knowledge-Intensive Business Services as Knowledge Intermediaries in Industrial Regions: A Comparison of the Hsinchu and Tainan Metropolitan Areas," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(11), pages 2253-2274, November.
    48. Weisenfeld, Ursula & Hauerwaas, Antoniya, 2018. "Adopters build bridges: Changing the institutional logic for more sustainable cities. From action to workset to practice," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(5), pages 911-923.
    49. Nobuya Fukugawa, 2018. "Is the impact of incubator’s ability on incubation performance contingent on technologies and life cycle stages of startups?: evidence from Japan," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 457-478, June.
    50. Markard, Jochen & Raven, Rob & Truffer, Bernhard, 2012. "Sustainability transitions: An emerging field of research and its prospects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 955-967.
    51. Thune, Taran & Mina, Andrea, 2016. "Hospitals as innovators in the health-care system: A literature review and research agenda," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(8), pages 1545-1557.
    52. Julie Battilana & Bernard Leca & Eva Boxenbaum, 2009. "How actors change institutions : Towards a theory of institutional entrepreneurship," Post-Print hal-00576509, HAL.
    53. Jeremy Howells & John Bessant, 2012. "Introduction: Innovation and economic geography: a review and analysis," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 12(5), pages 929-942, September.
    54. Kathleen R. Conner & C. K. Prahalad, 1996. "A Resource-Based Theory of the Firm: Knowledge Versus Opportunism," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 7(5), pages 477-501, October.
    55. Rachel Parker & Damian Hine, 2014. "The Role of Knowledge Intermediaries in Developing Firm Learning Capabilities," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(5), pages 1048-1061, May.
    56. Villani, Elisa & Linder, Christian & Lechner, Christian & Muller, Lina, 2021. "How do non-innovative firms start innovation and build legitimacy? The case of professional service firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 614-625.
    57. Tether, Bruce S. & Tajar, Abdelouahid, 2008. "Beyond industry-university links: Sourcing knowledge for innovation from consultants, private research organisations and the public science-base," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6-7), pages 1079-1095, July.
    58. Christopher S. Hayter, 2016. "A trajectory of early-stage spinoff success: the role of knowledge intermediaries within an entrepreneurial university ecosystem," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 633-656, October.
    59. Thomas Wolfgang Thurner & Stanislav Zaichenko, 2015. "The Feeding Of The Nine Billion — A Case For Technology Transfer In Agriculture," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(02), pages 1-26.
    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. Caloffi, Annalisa & Colovic, Ana & Rizzoli, Valentina & Rossi, Federica, 2023. "Innovation intermediaries' types and functions: A computational analysis of the literature," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Abi Saad, Elie & Tremblay, Nathalie & Agogué, Marine, 2024. "A multi-level perspective on innovation intermediaries: The case of the diffusion of digital technologies in healthcare," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    3. Doloreux, David & Turkina, Ekaterina, 2023. "Intermediaries in regional innovation systems: An historical event-based analysis applied to AI industry in Montreal," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    4. Rossi, Federica & Caloffi, Annalisa & Colovic, Ana & Russo, Margherita, 2022. "New business models for public innovation intermediaries supporting emerging innovation systems: The case of the Internet of Things," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    5. Villani, Elisa & Rasmussen, Einar & Grimaldi, Rosa, 2017. "How intermediary organizations facilitate university–industry technology transfer: A proximity approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 86-102.
    6. Good, Matthew & Knockaert, Mirjam & Soppe, Birthe & Wright, Mike, 2019. "The technology transfer ecosystem in academia. An organizational design perspective," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 82, pages 35-50.
    7. Pablo J. Moya-Fernández & Jean Pierre Seclen-Luna, 2024. "Evaluating the Effects of Information Sources on Innovation Outcomes: Are There Differences between KIBS and Manufacturing Firms from a Latin America Country?," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 4024-4055, March.
    8. Laura Kreiling & Ahmed Bounfour, 2020. "A practice-based maturity model for holistic TTO performance management: development and initial use," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 45(6), pages 1718-1747, December.
    9. Leckel, Anja & Veilleux, Sophie & Dana, Leo Paul, 2020. "Local Open Innovation: A means for public policy to increase collaboration for innovation in SMEs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    10. Juan Carlos Martínez-Torres & Jaider Vega-Jurado, 2022. "El impacto de los agentes intermediarios en el proceso de cooperación para innovar: el papel moderador del tamano de la empresa," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi, vol. 38(162), pages 2-16, March.
    11. Caloffi, Annalisa & Freo, Marzia & Ghinoi, Stefano & Mariani, Marco & Rossi, Federica, 2022. "Assessing the effects of a deliberate policy mix: The case of technology and innovation advisory services and innovation vouchers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    12. Anna Maria Lis & Marita McPhillips & Adrian Lis, 2020. "Sustainability of Cluster Organizations as Open Innovation Intermediaries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    13. Seungil Yum, 2019. "The interaction between knowledge-intensive business services and urban economy," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 63(1), pages 53-83, August.
    14. Liping Fu & Fan Wu & Shan Zhang, 2022. "Evolutionary Path and Innovative Development of Pharmaceutical Industrial Cluster—A Case Study of Shijiazhuang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, March.
    15. Antero Hirvensalo & Satu Teerikangas & Noelia-Sarah Reynolds & Helka Kalliomäki & Raine Mäntysalo & Hanna Mattila & Kaisa Granqvist, 2021. "Agency in Circular City Ecosystems—A Rationalities Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, February.
    16. Kreiling, Laura & Serval, Sarah & Peres, Raphaële & Bounfour, Ahmed, 2020. "University technology transfer organizations: Roles adopted in response to their regional innovation system stakeholders," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 218-229.
    17. Taheri, Mozhdeh & van Geenhuizen, Marina, 2016. "Teams' boundary-spanning capacity at university: Performance of technology projects in commercialization," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 31-43.
    18. Zhou, Junbi & Wang, Mingyue, 2023. "The role of government-industry-academia partnership in business incubation: Evidence from new R&D institutions in China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    19. Attila Havas & Doris Schartinger & K. Matthias Weber, 2022. "Innovation Studies, Social Innovation, and Sustainability Transitions Research: From mutual ignorance towards an integrative perspective?," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2227, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    20. Paredes-Frigolett, Harold & Pyka, Andreas & Leoneti, Alexandre Bevilacqua, 2021. "On the performance and strategy of innovation systems: A multicriteria group decision analysis approach," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).

    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:spr:rvmgts:v:17:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s11846-022-00593-x. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.