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Social network evolution in creative process of CNPD teams: a case study of Chinese companies

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Zhang

    (Central China Normal University)

  • Yongli Li

    (Northeastern University)

  • Wenyao Zhang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology)

  • Shengli Dai

    (Central China Normal University)

Abstract

The existing theories about how social networks affect creativity mostly focus on a certain stage in the organizational life of an idea, for instance, ideas generation, commercialization of ideas, and a previous assumption refers that multiple attributes of social networks of creative team are static. It is not possible to resolve such a realistic and important issue that how dynamic evolution of social networks affects the creative process at the fuzzy front-end of complex new product development (CNPD) of research and development (R&D) teams. This paper studies six R&D teams of CNPD from three new high-tech enterprises, in terms of network transaction content-heterogeneity/homogeneity of task knowledge, network relationship strength—weak tie/strong tie, and network structure—core–periphery as three major dimensions of social networks. It analyzes their dynamic evolution in the creative process and its influence on three sub-processes named idea generation, idea screening, and idea development. We find that in R&D teams network transaction content-heterogeneity of task knowledge, weak-tie network relationship, and discrete network structure are conducive to idea generation; homogeneity of task knowledge, strong-tie network relationship, and centralized network structure are good for idea screening; homogeneity of task knowledge in the network is maintained while new knowledge is obtained actively from the outside; internal network relationship is dominated by strong tie while weak tie is connected with the outside; both diffused and balanced network structures are beneficial to idea development.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Zhang & Yongli Li & Wenyao Zhang & Shengli Dai, 2019. "Social network evolution in creative process of CNPD teams: a case study of Chinese companies," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 143-181, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:53:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s11135-018-0740-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-018-0740-7
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