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Innovation Types and Network Relationships

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  • Jukka Partanen
  • Sylvie K. Chetty
  • Arto Rajala

Abstract

We examine network relationships, particularly the type and strength of these relationships and how firms use them in order to commercialize different types of innovations. We conduct an in–depth case study of four small firms to provide insight on how and why a portfolio of network relationships (e.g., suppliers, distributors, customers, and research institutes) helps small new innovative firms to gain resources. We develop a framework of four innovation types and expand on how successful commercialization for each innovation type requires certain types and strength of relationships. Both types (systemic and autonomous) of radical innovations require strong collaborative ties with customers, whereas incremental innovations are commercialized through different types of downstream networks.

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  • Jukka Partanen & Sylvie K. Chetty & Arto Rajala, 2014. "Innovation Types and Network Relationships," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(5), pages 1027-1055, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:38:y:2014:i:5:p:1027-1055
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2011.00474.x
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    13. Ren Ze & Zhan Kun & Francis Boadu & Liu Yu, 2018. "The Effects of Boundary-Spanning Search, Network Ties, and Absorptive Capacity for Innovation: A Moderated Mediation Examination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, October.
    14. Nuno Campos Pereira & Nuno Araújo & Leonardo Costa, 2016. "A counting multidimensional innovation index for SMEs," Working Papers de Economia (Economics Working Papers) 01, Católica Porto Business School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
    15. Agnieszka Zakrzewska-Bielawska, 2018. "The Relationship between Managers’ Network Awareness and the Relational Strategic Orientation of their Firms: Findings from Interviews with Polish Managers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-20, August.
    16. Andrzej Bia³as, 2016. "Cost-Benefits Aspects In Risk Management," Polish Journal of Management Studies, Czestochowa Technical University, Department of Management, vol. 14(1), pages 28-39, December.
    17. Zahoor, Nadia & Al-Tabbaa, Omar, 2020. "Inter-organizational collaboration and SMEs’ innovation: A systematic review and future research directions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    18. Nordhause-Janz, Jürgen & Terstriep, Judith, 2017. "Innovationsreport Nordrhein-Westfalen," Working Paper Forschungsförderung 026, Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, Düsseldorf.
    19. Sumi Jha & Vidya Venkatesh, 2023. "Entrepreneurial Satisfaction for Women Micro-entrepreneurs: A Network Perspective," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.
    20. Julia K. De Groote & Julia Backmann, 2019. "Initiating Open Innovation Collaborations Between Incumbents And Startups: How Can David And Goliath Get Along?," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 24(02), pages 1-33, January.
    21. Daniel Ruiz-Palomo & Julio Diéguez-Soto & Antonio Duréndez & José António C. Santos, 2019. "Family Management and Firm Performance in Family SMEs: The Mediating Roles of Management Control Systems and Technological Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-22, July.
    22. Child, John & Narooz, Rose & Hsieh, Linda & Elbanna, Said & Karmowska, Joanna & Marinova, Svetla & Puthusserry, Pushyarag & Tsai, Terence & Zhang, Yunlu, 2022. "External resource provision and the international performance of SMEs – A contextual analysis," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 28(3).
    23. Akcomak, Semih & Erdil, Erkan & Cetinkaya, Umut Yılmaz, 2018. "Knowledge convergence in European regions: Towards cohesion?," MERIT Working Papers 2018-027, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    24. Smol, Marzena & Kulczycka, Joanna, 2019. "Towards innovations development in the European raw material sector by evolution of the knowledge triangle," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 453-462.
    25. Francisco José Gallego & José María Díaz-Puente & Daniel Francisco Quesada & Maddalena Bettoni, 2021. "Modelling Critical Innovation Factors in Rural Agrifood Industries: A Case Study in Cuenca, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, August.

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