Knowledge exchanges in innovation networks: evidences from an Italian aerospace cluster

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims at investigating the multifaceted nature of innovation networks by focusing on two research questions: Do cluster actors exchange only one type of innovation-related knowledge? Do cluster actors play different roles in innovation-related knowledge exchange? Design/methodology/approach -This paper builds on data collected at the firm level in an Italian aerospace cluster, that is a technology-intensive industry where innovation is at the base of local competitiveness. A questionnaire was used to collect both attribute data and relational data concerning collaboration and the flows of knowledge in innovation networks. The authors distinguished among three types of knowledge (technological, managerial and market knowledge) and five types of brokerage roles (coordinator, gatekeeper, liaison, representative and consultant). Data analysis relied on social network analysis techniques and software. Findings -Concerning the first research question, the findings show that different types of knowledge flow in different ways in innovation networks. The different types of knowledge are unevenly exchanged. The exchange of technological knowledge is open to everyone in the cluster. The exchange of market and managerial knowledge is selective. Concerning the second research question, the authors suggest that different types of cluster actors (large firms, small-and medium-sized enterprises, research centers and universities and institutions for collaboration) do play different roles in innovation networks, especially with reference to the three types of knowledge considered in this study. Research limitations/implications -The present paper has some limitations. First of all, the analysis focuses on just one cluster (one industry in one specific location), cross-and comparative analyses with other clusters may illuminate the findings better, eliminating industry and geographical biases. Second, the paper focuses only on innovation-related knowledge exchanges within the cluster and not across it. Practical implications -The results have practical implications both for policy makers and for managers. First, this research stresses how innovation often originates from a combination of different knowledge types acquired through the collaboration with heterogeneous cluster actors. Further, the analysis of brokerage roles in innovation-driven collaborations may help policy makers in designing programs for knowledge-transfer partnerships among the various actors of a cluster. Social implications -The paper suggests a clear need of developing professional figures capable of operating at the interface of different knowledge domains.Originality/value -The data illuminate several aspects of how innovation takes place in a cluster opening up intriguing aspects that have been overlooked by extant literature. The authors believe that this may trigger several lines of further research on the topic.

Knowledge Networks and the Role of Family Firms: The Case of an Italian Regional Cluster

“…All the participants to the focus groups completed the questionnaire: therefore, we collected data on 39 firms, which corresponds to a 68% response rate. The response rate is comparable to other studies focusing on inter-organizational networks in a similar context, if not higher [46,57,61,62].…”

“…The questionnaire consisted of a combination of multiple choice and network-related questions: in particular, we asked the respondents to indicate if, in the period 2012-2015, their company received or transferred technological, market, or managerial knowledge with other organizations in the cluster or outside the cluster. Indeed, scholars suggest that inter-organizational knowledge exchange is a broad concept which can be decomposed into different types [57][58][59]: technological knowledge, related to the development of new products and processes; market knowledge, related to the consumers' preferences and the market's structure; and managerial knowledge, related to those skills and competences required for organizing and supervising organizational resources and processes.…”

Employment performance in times of crisis

“…Finally, economic resilience may be studied at the interface of the network and cluster levels. Recent empirical findings suggest that knowledge flows and network positions differ significantly within clusters (Alberti and Pizzurno, 2015). Future research may therefore shed light on the ways in which varied network positions and knowledge flows within regional clusters relate to economic resilience.…”

The dissemination mechanisms of Industry 4.0 knowledge in traditional industrial districts:evidence from Italy

“…Thus, IDs may be interpreted as cognitive labs or systems, as they are characterized by a high density of knowledge accumulation, elaboration and circulation by means of various transfer mechanisms, such as inter-organizational and interpersonal relations; observation or artifacts and actions; mobility of human resources; and creation of new ventures (Becattini and Rullani, 1996;Maskell, 2001;Camuffo and Grandinetti, 2011;Grandinetti, 2011). Various studies claim that spatial proximity in existing localized overlapping networks facilitates knowledge sharing and thus innovation in clusters (Belussi and Pilotti, 2002;Carbonara, 2004;Boix and Galletto, 2009;Alberti and Pizzurno, 2015). Local networks function as key vehicles of knowledge transfer and diffusion: being in the right place is necessary, but being in the right network is of utmost importance (Boschma and Ter Wal, 2007).…”

“…However, geographical proximity is not enough per se to understand innovation in local industrial networks (Alberti and Pizzurno, 2015). In fact, even if belonging to the same cluster, firms might have a different degree of access to knowledge, depending on other factors than spatial proximity, such as institutional, cognitive, organizational and social CR 31,1 proximity and absorptive capacity (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990;Giuliani, 2005;Camuffo and Grandinetti, 2011).…”