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A study of knowledge supernetworks and network robustness in different business incubators

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  • Zhang, Haihong
  • Wu, Wenqing
  • Zhao, Liming

Abstract

As the most important intangible resource of the new generation of business incubators, knowledge has been studied extensively, particularly with respect to how it spreads among incubating firms through knowledge networks. However, these homogeneous networks do not adequately describe the heterogeneity of incubating firms in different types of business incubators. To solve the problem of heterogeneity, the notion of a knowledge supernetwork has been used both to construct a knowledge interaction model among incubating firms and to distinguish social network relationships from knowledge network relationships. The process of knowledge interaction and network evolution can then be simulated with a few rules for incubating firms regarding knowledge innovation/absorption, social network connection, and entry and exit, among other aspects. Knowledge and networks have been used as performance indicators to evaluate the evolution of knowledge supernetworks. Moreover, we study the robustness of incubating firms’ social networks by employing four types of attack strategies. Based on our simulation results, we conclude that there have been significant knowledge interaction and network evolution among incubating firms on a periodic basis and that both specialized and diversified business incubators have every advantage necessary in terms of both knowledge and networks to cultivate start-up companies. As far as network robustness is concerned, there is no obvious difference between the two types of business incubators with respect to the stability of their network structures, but specialized business incubators have stronger network communication abilities than diversified business incubators.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Haihong & Wu, Wenqing & Zhao, Liming, 2016. "A study of knowledge supernetworks and network robustness in different business incubators," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 447(C), pages 545-560.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:447:y:2016:i:c:p:545-560
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2015.12.051
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Liming Zhao & Haihong Zhang & Wenqing Wu, 2019. "Cooperative knowledge creation in an uncertain network environment based on a dynamic knowledge supernetwork," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 119(2), pages 657-685, May.
    3. Hongli Zhou & Mingxuan Yang, 2023. "Towards Evaluating the Robustness of the Open-Source Product Community under Multiple Attack Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Evangelos Ioannidis & Nikos Varsakelis & Ioannis Antoniou, 2021. "Intelligent Agents in Co-Evolving Knowledge Networks," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Ioannidis, Evangelos & Varsakelis, Nikos & Antoniou, Ioannis, 2018. "Experts in Knowledge Networks: Central Positioning and Intelligent Selections," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 509(C), pages 890-905.
    6. Zhao, Jianyu & Wei, Jiang & Yu, Lean & Xi, Xi, 2022. "Robustness of knowledge networks under targeted attacks: Electric vehicle field of China evidence," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 367-382.
    7. Xiao Liao & Guangyu Ye & Juan Yu & Yunjiang Xi, 2021. "Identifying lead users in online user innovation communities based on supernetwork," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 300(2), pages 515-543, May.
    8. Zhao, Liming & Zhang, Haihong & Wu, Wenqing, 2017. "Knowledge service decision making in business incubators based on the supernetwork model," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 479(C), pages 249-264.

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