THE MULTIFACETED ROLE OF THE NETWORK ORCHESTRATOR — A LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDY

Etty Ragnhild Nilsen () and Anne Haugen Gausdal ()
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Etty Ragnhild Nilsen: School of Business, University College of Southeast Norway, Postboks 235, N-3603 Kongsberg, Norway
Anne Haugen Gausdal: #x2020;Faculty of Technology, Natural Seiences and Maritime Sciences, University College of Southeast Norway, Postboks 235, N-3603 Kongsberg, Norway

International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), 2017, vol. 21, issue 06, 1-23

Abstract: This longitudinal empirical case study develops a new framework for the role of the orchestrator of networks of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The SME network under study is followed during six years, through five stages of its lifecycle, and demonstrates the complex and multifaceted nature of the role of the network orchestrator. Various roles are needed for the various stages in order to achieve network retention and sustainability. This multifaceted role is found to encompass the roles as knowledge broker, innovation broker, network entrepreneur and leader and strategist, where the latter emerges as the most salient. The similarities with the role of a firm manager seem paradoxial in light of the dominating view of network management, characterized by the concept of distributed and collective leadership.

Keywords: Network orchestrator; network broker; innovation broker; network entrepreneur; network leader; SME networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1142/S1363919617500463

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