IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ibn/ijbmjn/v14y2021i10p61.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Network Structure in Service Ecosystems: An Empirical Study in the Region of Campania

Author

Listed:
  • Marco Ferretti
  • Eva Panetti
  • Adele Parmentola
  • Annamaria Sabetta

Abstract

The objective of this study is that of exploring the relational dimension of service ecosystems with specific regard to the structure of their networks, by conducting a social network analysis. In particular, this work attempts to primarily unveil which types of network configurations (i.e., open, closed or small words) are typical of service ecosystems. Secondly, we explore the nature of the most central actors in these networks. To these purposes, we conduct an empirical study in the Region of Campania (Southern Italy) by analyzing six regional service ecosystems in different sectors. We gathered data from the PONREC platform (Programma Operativo Nazionale "Ricerca e Competitività" 2007-2013) in order to map links among the actors in all six ecosystems. Main results show that universities and research institutions occupy brokering positions within the service ecosystems’ networks. This, in turn, suggests the efficacy of public regional initiatives in favoring the establishment of forms of collaboration between organizations of different nature. Finally, our findings show that service ecosystems are characterized by open and small world network configurations. This paper contributes to the literature focused on service ecosystems’ networks by providing an empirical and quantitative approach to the analysis of their relational characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Ferretti & Eva Panetti & Adele Parmentola & Annamaria Sabetta, 2021. "Network Structure in Service Ecosystems: An Empirical Study in the Region of Campania," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(10), pages 1-61, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ijbmjn:v:14:y:2021:i:10:p:61
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijbm/article/download/0/0/40649/41912
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijbm/article/view/0/40649
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tim Rowley & Dean Behrens & David Krackhardt, 2000. "Redundant governance structures: an analysis of structural and relational embeddedness in the steel and semiconductor industries," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(3), pages 369-386, March.
    2. Lorenzo Cassi & Andrea Morrison & Anne L.J. Ter Wal, 2012. "The Evolution of Trade and Scientific Collaboration Networks in the Global Wine Sector: A Longitudinal Study Using Network Analysis," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 88(3), pages 311-334, July.
    3. 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.
    4. Stephen L. Vargo & Robert F. Lusch, 2016. "Institutions and axioms: an extension and update of service-dominant logic," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 5-23, January.
    5. Ranjay Gulati & Maxim Sytch & Adam Tatarynowicz, 2012. "The Rise and Fall of Small Worlds: Exploring the Dynamics of Social Structure," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 449-471, April.
    6. Andreas Eisingerich & Oliver Falck & Stephan Heblich & Tobias Kretschmer, 2012. "Firm Innovativeness across Cluster Types," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(3), pages 233-248, April.
    7. Eisingerich, Andreas B. & Bell, Simon J. & Tracey, Paul, 2010. "How can clusters sustain performance? The role of network strength, network openness, and environmental uncertainty," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 239-253, March.
    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. Mario V. Tomasello & Mauro Napoletano & Antonios Garas & Frank Schweitzer, 2017. "The rise and fall of R&D networks," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 26(4), pages 617-646.
    2. Viacheslav Iurkov & Gabriel R G Benito, 2020. "Change in domestic network centrality, uncertainty, and the foreign divestment decisions of firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(5), pages 788-812, July.
    3. Cirillo, Bruno & Breschi, Stefano & Prencipe, Andrea, 2018. "Divide to connect: Reorganization through R&D unit spinout as linking context of intra-corporate networks," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(9), pages 1585-1600.
    4. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/f6h8764enu2lskk9p5487a6cm is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Joan Crespo & Jérôme Vicente & Frédéric Amblard, 2016. "Micro-behaviors and structural properties of knowledge networks: toward a ‘one size fits one’ cluster policy," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(6), pages 533-552, September.
    6. Xaver Neumeyer & Susana C. Santos & Michael H. Morris, 2019. "Who is left out: exploring social boundaries in entrepreneurial ecosystems," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 462-484, April.
    7. Menger Tu & Sandy Dall'erba & Mingque Ye, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Evolution of the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Innovation Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Michael D König & Stefano Battiston & Mauro Napoletano & Frank Schweitzer, 2008. "The Efficiency and Evolution of R&D Networks," Working Papers hal-00973077, HAL.
    9. repec:hal:wpspec:info:hdl:2441/f6h8764enu2lskk9p5487a6cm is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Lorenzo Zirulia, 2023. "Path dependence in evolving R&D networks," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 149-177, January.
    11. Graf, Holger & Broekel, Tom, 2020. "A shot in the dark? Policy influence on cluster networks," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).
    12. Jiancheng Guan & Yan Yan & Jingjing Zhang, 2015. "How do collaborative features affect scientific output? Evidences from wind power field," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(1), pages 333-355, January.
    13. Manuela N. Hoehn-Weiss & Samina Karim & Chi-Hyon Lee, 2017. "Examining Alliance Portfolios Beyond the Dyads: The Relevance of Redundancy and Nonuniformity Across and Between Partners," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(1), pages 56-73, February.
    14. Lorenzo Cassi & Andrea Morrison & Roberta Rabellotti, 2015. "Proximity and Scientific Collaboration: Evidence from the Global Wine Industry," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 106(2), pages 205-219, April.
    15. Andrew V. Shipilov & Stan Xiao Li, 2012. "The Missing Link: The Effect of Customers on the Formation of Relationships Among Producers in the Multiplex Triads," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 472-491, April.
    16. Savin, Ivan & Egbetokun, Abiodun, 2016. "Emergence of innovation networks from R&D cooperation with endogenous absorptive capacity," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 82-103.
    17. 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.
    18. repec:spo:wpecon:info:hdl:2441/f6h8764enu2lskk9p5487a6cm is not listed on IDEAS
    19. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/9933 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Gräbner, Claudius & Heinrich, Torsten & Kudic, Muhamed, 2016. "Structuration processes in complex dynamic systems - an overview and reassessment," MPRA Paper 69095, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    21. Karna, Amit & Florian A. Taeube & Petra Sonderegger, 2014. "Economic Geography and Networks: Role of local and non-local ties in Cluster Evolution," IIMA Working Papers WP2014-12-01, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    22. Cheng, Colin C.J. & Shiu, Eric C., 2020. "What makes social media-based supplier network involvement more effective for new product performance? The role of network structure," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 299-310.
    23. Francesca Mariotti & Rick Delbridge, 2012. "Overcoming Network Overload and Redundancy in Interorganizational Networks: The Roles of Potential and Latent Ties," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(2), pages 511-528, April.
    24. repec:hal:spmain:info:hdl:2441/9935 is not listed on IDEAS
    25. Täube, Florian A. & Karna, Amit & Sonderegger, Petra, 2019. "Economic geography and emerging market clusters: A co-evolutionary study of local and non-local networks in Bangalore," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 1-1.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:ibn:ijbmjn:v:14:y:2021:i:10:p:61. 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: Canadian Center of Science and Education (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/cepflch.html .

    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.