Title: Collaboration capability – a focal concept in knowledge creation and collaborative innovation in networks

Authors: Kirsimarja Blomqvist, Juha Levy

Addresses: Department of Business Administration and Technology, Business Research Centre, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, 53851 Lappeenranta, Finland. ' Department of Business Administration and Technology, Business Research Centre, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, 53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: Sustainable competitive advantage is not possible in knowledge-based competition without continuous innovation. Innovations, by nature, emerge in social interaction in which diverse actors share complementary knowledge. Collaboration capability is considered a prerequisite for actors if they wish to leverage such knowledge. The concept is analysed through a state-of-the-art review of earlier conceptual and empirical research on network collaboration, and as a result we propose that collaboration capability integrates the key elements in many closely related but semantically diverse conceptualisations. As a concept, it underlines the relational perspective and enables knowledge creation in a risky and uncertain environment. It can be defined as |the actor|s capability to build and manage network relationships based on mutual trust, communication and commitment|. Furthermore, it could be considered an integrative and cross-level concept explaining much of the knowledge creation and innovation in networks.

Keywords: collaboration capability; knowledge creation; innovation; inter-organisational relationships; intra-organisational collaboration; networks; network collaboration; trust; communication; commitment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMCP.2006.009645

International Journal of Management Concepts and Philosophy, 2006 Vol.2 No.1, pp.31 - 48

Published online: 03 May 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article