Article: Innovation strategies and network configurations in knowledge-intensive services Journal: International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development (IJIRD) 2014 Vol.5 No.4/5 pp.458 - 480 Abstract: In this paper we deal with the innovation strategies of software for telecommunications companies that develop innovative products through the creation, use and adaptation of various resources. In addition to in-house capabilities and resources, they resort to external sources via market and non-market transactions. We will focus on non-market exchanges, namely networks. The main goal is to determine if different innovation strategies (mostly radical versus mostly incremental) are associated with distinct networking strategies. With this aim, we adopted a specific analysis of innovation networks, which deals separately with the two main types of resource: knowledge and complementary assets. Results reveal that there are clear-cut differences in the network configurations of radical versus incremental innovators, particularly in the access to knowledge. They also give support to the adequacy of using a fine-grained analysis. These findings can therefore add to the debate on the most favourable networking strategies for innovation. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Innovation strategies and network configurations in knowledge-intensive services

Authors: Isabel Salavisa; Cristina Sousa

Addresses: Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL) and DINÂMIA'CET-IUL, Lisbon, Portugal ISCTE, Av. Forcas Armadas, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal ' Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL) and DINÂMIA'CET-IUL, Lisbon, Portugal ISCTE, Av. Forcas Armadas, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal

Abstract: In this paper we deal with the innovation strategies of software for telecommunications companies that develop innovative products through the creation, use and adaptation of various resources. In addition to in-house capabilities and resources, they resort to external sources via market and non-market transactions. We will focus on non-market exchanges, namely networks. The main goal is to determine if different innovation strategies (mostly radical versus mostly incremental) are associated with distinct networking strategies. With this aim, we adopted a specific analysis of innovation networks, which deals separately with the two main types of resource: knowledge and complementary assets. Results reveal that there are clear-cut differences in the network configurations of radical versus incremental innovators, particularly in the access to knowledge. They also give support to the adequacy of using a fine-grained analysis. These findings can therefore add to the debate on the most favourable networking strategies for innovation.

Keywords: innovation networks; innovation strategies; radical innovation; incremental innovation; network configurations; software sector; geographical patterns; networking patterns; local networking; inter-organisational networking; international networking; knowledge-intensive services; KIS; telecommunications industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2014.064155

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2014 Vol.5 No.4/5, pp.458 - 480

Received: 19 Mar 2013
Accepted: 25 Nov 2013
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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Title: Innovation strategies and network configurations in knowledge-intensive services

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