In this paper we model the formation of innovation networks as they emerge from bilateral actions. The effectiveness of a bilateral collaboration is determined by cognitive, relational and structural embeddedness. Innovation results from the recombination of knowledge held by the partners to the collaboration, and the extent to which agents’ knowledge complement each others is an issue of cognitive embeddedness. Previous collaborations (relational embeddedness) increase the probability of a successful collaboration; as does information gained from common third parties (structural embeddedness). As a result of repeated alliance formation, a network emerges whose properties are studied, together with those of the process of knowledge creation. Two features are central to the innovation process: how agents pool their knowledge resources; and how agents derive information about potential partners. We focus on the interplay between these two dimensions, and find that they both matter. The networks that emerge are not random, but in certain parts of the parameter space have properties of small worlds. (JEL Classification: L14, Z13, O3 Keywords: Networks, Innovation, Network Formation, Knowledge)
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Paper provided by Maastricht : MERIT, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology in its series Research Memoranda with number
017.
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Riccaboni, Massimo & Pammolli, Fabio, 2002.
"On firm growth in networks,"
Research Policy,
Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1405-1416, December.
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Riccaboni, Massimo & Pammolli, Fabio, 2001.
"On Firm Growth in Networks,"
MPRA Paper
15964, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 12 Nov 2001.
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Cited by: (explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)
Cowan,Robin & Jonard,Nicolas & Zimmermann,J-B, 2004.
"Evolving Networks of Inventors,"
Research Memoranda
018, Maastricht : MERIT, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology.
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