Informal Networks of Relationships in Successful Small Firm Innovation

Steve Conway

Chapter 8 in Technology, Innovation and Enterprise, 1997, pp 236-273 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract In recent years a great deal of research effort has been directed towards identifying, mapping out, understanding and rationalising the formal interactions and relationships of innovative organisations (Håkansson, 1989; Håkansson and Johanson, 1990; Lawton-Smith, Dickson and Lloyd Smith, 1991; Hagedoorn and Schakenraad, 1992). However, while research has also indicated the importance of informal relationships to the innovation process, both within and outside such formal frameworks as joint ventures and technology agreements (von Hippel, 1988; Kreiner and Schultz, 1993; Shaw, 1993), this has largely been anecdotal in nature. This view is supported by Freeman (1991:500–2), who argues that ‘although rarely measured systematically … informal networks are extremely important, but very hard to classify and measure’.

Keywords: Small Firm; Innovation Process; External Input; Personal Network; Informal Network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997
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DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-25770-6_8

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