Network-independent partner selection and the evolution of innovation networks

Baum, Joel, Cowan, Robin and Jonard, Nicolas, Network-independent partner selection and the evolution of innovation networks. Management Science,

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Author	Baum, Joel Cowan, Robin Jonard, Nicolas
Title	Network-independent partner selection and the evolution of innovation networks
Appearing in	Management Science
Abstract	Empirical research on strategic alliances has focused on the idea that partners are selected on the basis of social capital considerations. In this paper we emphasize instead the role of complementary knowledge stocks and knowledge dynamics, which have received surprisingly limited attention relative to social capital as forces behind the formation and dynamics of innovation networks. To marshal evidence in this regard, we design a simple model of partner selection in which firms ally for the purpose of learning and innovating, and in doing so create an industry network. We abstract completely from network-based structural and strategic motives for partner selection and focus instead on the idea that firms' knowledge bases must “fit” for joint learning and innovation to be possible, and thus for an alliance to be feasible. The striking result is that, despite containing no social capital considerations, this simple model replicates the firm conduct, network structure, and contingent effects of network position on performance observed and discussed in the empirical literature.
Keyword	Innovation Networks Strategic alliances Knowledge
Copyright Holder	INFORMS
Copyright Year	2010
Copyright type	All rights reserved
DOI	10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229

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Created:		Wed, 11 Dec 2013, 18:20:05 JST