Abstract
While innovation is called upon as an answer to the global slump, there isn’t a shared idea about “what innovation and how to be innovative”, especially when it refers to SMEs. This paper sets the findings of the early stage of a research aimed at highlighting the role of inter-organizational processes supporting innovation that has cross-sectional nature and involves SMEs. The object of the research is the start-up process of a cross-sectional network, focused on product innovation, consisting in six hi-tech small and micro firms, located in the Region Emilia-Romagna. Theoretical background includes contributions on open innovation and learning by interacting, directly referred to SMEs. The analysis tries to identify some preliminary conditions to the establishment of successful cross-sectional networks and some “tools” to set off so that they work effectively.References
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1, 13-42.
Powell W.W., 1990, “Neither market nor hierarchy: Network forms of organization”, Research in organizational behavior, 12, 295-336.
Sammarra A., Biggiero L., 2008, “Heterogeneity and Specificity of Inter-firm Knowledge flows in Innovation Networks”, Journal of Management Studies, 45 (4), 800-829.
Stuart T.E., 2000, “Interorganizational alliances and the performance of firms: A study of growth and innovation rates in a high technology industry”, Strategic Management Journal, 21, 791-812.
Tell J., 2000, “Learning Networks- A Metaphor for Inter Organizational Development in SMEs”, Enterprise and Innovation Management Studies, 1(3), 303-317.
Trott P., Hartmann D., 2009, “Why ‘Open Innovation’ is Old Wine in New Bottles”, International Journal of Innovation Management, 13 (4), 715-736.
Uzzi B., Lancaster R., 2003, “The role of relationships in interfirm knowledge transfer and learning: The case of corporate debt markets”, Management Science, 49, 383-399.
Van de Vrande V., De Jong J.P.J., Vanhaverbeke W., De Rochemont M., 2009, “Open innovation in SMEs: Trends, motives and management challenges “, Technovation, 29, 423–437.
Zeng S.X., Xie X.M., Tam C.M., 2010, “Relationship between cooperation networks and innovation performance of SMEs”, Technovation, 30, 181-194
Bergman J., Jantunen A., Saksa J.M., 2009, “Enabling Open Innovation Process through Interactive Methods: Scenarios and Group Decision Support Systems”, International Journal
of Innovation Management, 13 (1), 139-156.
Birkinshaw J., Bessant J., Delbridge R., 2007, “Finding, forming and performing: creating networks for discontinuos innovation”, California Management Review, 49 (3), 67-84.
Boschma R.A., 2005, “Proximity and innovation: a critical assessment”, Regional Studies, 39, 61–74.
Callon M., 1992, “The Dynamics of Techno-economic Networks”, in Coombs R., Saviotti P., Walsh V. (eds.), Technical Change and Company Strategies, London, Academic Press, 73-102.
Cagliano R., Smiraglia A., 2001, “Collaborazioni orizzontali tra piccole imprese: determinanti e forme organizzative”, Piccola Impresa, 14 (1), 63-94.
Capaldo A., 2007, “Network structure and innovation: the leveraging of a dual network as a distinctive relational capability”, Strategic Management Journal, 28, 585-608.
Carneiro A., 2000, “How does knowledge management influence innovation and competitiveness?”, Journal of Knowledge Management, 4 (2), 87-98.
Chesbrough H.W., 2003, Open Innovation: The new imperative for creating and profiting from technology, Boston, Harvard Business School Press.
Cohen W.M., Levinthal D.A., 1990, “Absorptive Capacity: A New Perspective on Learning and Innovation”, Administrative Science Quarterly, 35, 128-152.
Consiglio S., Antonelli G., 2003, “Il meta-organizzatore nei processi di spin-off da ricerca”, Sviluppo & Organizzazione, 196, 33-47.
Cooke P., Morgan K., 1994, “The Creative Milieu: A Regional Perspective on Innovation”, in Dodgson M., Rothwell R. (eds.), The Handbook of Industrial Innovation, Aldershot, Elgar.
Cori E., Bonti M., Borgese A., 2008, “Qualità dell’ambiente di lavoro e percorsi di apprendimento innovativi”, Atti del VIII Workshop di Organizzazione Aziendale, Venezia, 7-8 febbraio.
Cowan R., Jonad N., 2009, “Knowledge portfolios and the organization of innovation networks”, Academy of Management Review, 34 (2), 320-342.
Darroch J., 2005, “Knowledge Management, Innovation and Firm Performance”, Journal of Knowledge Management, 101-115.
De Jong J., Freel M., 2010, Absorptive capacity and the reach of collaboration in high technology small firms, Research Policy, 39, 47-54.
De Vita P., Mercurio R., Testa F., 2007, Organizzazione aziendale. Assetto e relazioni nel sistema di business, Torino, Giappichelli.
Di Guardo M.C., 2009, “Organizzare l’attività di R&S: la sfida dell’open innovation”, Atti del X Workshop di Organizzazione Aziendale, Cagliari, 29-30 aprile.
Duncan R.B., 1984,“L’organizzazione ambidestra: la progettazione di strutture duali per l’orga-nizzazione”, in Decastri M. (a cura di), Organizzazione e cultura dell’innovazione in impresa, Giuffrè.
Granovetter M., 1973, “The strength of weak ties”, American Journal of Sociology, 78, 1360-1380.
Gronum S., Verreynne M., Kastelle T., 2012, “The Role of Networks in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Innovation and Firm Performance”, Journal of Small Business Management, 50 (2), 257-282.
Hamel G., 1991, “Competition for competence and inter-partner learning within international strategic alliances”, Strategic Management Journal, Special Issue, 12, 83-103.
Heikkinen M., Tahtinen J., 2006, “Managed Formation Processes of R&D Networks”, International Journal of Innovation Management, 10 (3), 271-298.
Jenssen J.I., Nybakk E., 2009, “Inter-organizational promoters in small, knowledge intensive firms”, International Journal of Innovation Management, 13 (3), 441-466.
Lazzarotti V., Manzini R., 2009, “Different modes of open innovation: a theoretical framework and an empirical study”, International Journal of Innovation Management, 13 (4), 615-636.
Lee S., Park G., Yoon B., Park J., 2010, “Open innovation in SMEs-An intermediated network model”, Research Policy, 39, 290-300.
Lichtenthaler U., Lichtenthaler E., 2009, “A Capability Based Framework for Open Innovation: Complementing Absorptive Capacity”, Journal of Management Studies, 46 (8), 1315-1338.
Lipparini A., 2002, Piccole imprese oltre confine, Roma, Carocci.
March J.G., 1991, “Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning”, Organization Science, 2, 71-87.
Martinez-Sanchez A., Vela-Jimenez M.J., Perez-Perez M., 2009, “Inter-organizational Cooperation and Environmental Change: Moderating Effects between Flexibility and Innovation Performance”, British Journal of Management, 20 (4), 537-561.
Niccolini F., 2007, “Sfide ambientali ardue e vision condivise di rete”, Sviluppo & Organizzazione, 221, 33-53.
Nonaka I., Takeuchi H., 1995, The Knowledge Creating Company, New York, Oxford Univ. Press.
Nooteboom B., Gilsing V., 2006, “Exploration and exploitation in innovation systems: the case of pharmaceutical biotechnology”, Research Policy, 35 (1), 1-23.
Oswald S.L., Mossholder K.W., Harris S.G., 1994, “Vision salience and strategic involvement:Implications for Psychological Attachment to Organization and Job”, Strategic Management Journal, 15, 477-489.
O’Reilly C.A., Tushman M.L., 2004, “The ambidextrous organization”, Harvard Business Review, 82, (4), 74-82.
Padroni G., 2000, “Aspetti della complessità e sensibilità post-moderna: peculiarità dell’azienda ‘minore’”, in Maggi B. (a cura di), Le sfide organizzative di fine e inizio secolo. Trapostforismo e deregolazione, Milano, Etas.
Pencarelli T., Savelli E., Splendiani S., 2010, “Il ruolo della consapevolezza strategica nei processi di crescita delle PMI. Riflessioni teoriche ed evidenze empiriche”, Piccola Impresa,
1, 13-42.
Powell W.W., 1990, “Neither market nor hierarchy: Network forms of organization”, Research in organizational behavior, 12, 295-336.
Sammarra A., Biggiero L., 2008, “Heterogeneity and Specificity of Inter-firm Knowledge flows in Innovation Networks”, Journal of Management Studies, 45 (4), 800-829.
Stuart T.E., 2000, “Interorganizational alliances and the performance of firms: A study of growth and innovation rates in a high technology industry”, Strategic Management Journal, 21, 791-812.
Tell J., 2000, “Learning Networks- A Metaphor for Inter Organizational Development in SMEs”, Enterprise and Innovation Management Studies, 1(3), 303-317.
Trott P., Hartmann D., 2009, “Why ‘Open Innovation’ is Old Wine in New Bottles”, International Journal of Innovation Management, 13 (4), 715-736.
Uzzi B., Lancaster R., 2003, “The role of relationships in interfirm knowledge transfer and learning: The case of corporate debt markets”, Management Science, 49, 383-399.
Van de Vrande V., De Jong J.P.J., Vanhaverbeke W., De Rochemont M., 2009, “Open innovation in SMEs: Trends, motives and management challenges “, Technovation, 29, 423–437.
Zeng S.X., Xie X.M., Tam C.M., 2010, “Relationship between cooperation networks and innovation performance of SMEs”, Technovation, 30, 181-194
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