Knowledge management in networks of varying geographical scopes: The example of private equity (PE) in Germany. An analysis of the private equity (including venture capital) value chain shows that private equity firms’ strategies integrate and rely on the exchange of knowledge with various external partners in order to reduce investment risk. In our paper we theoretically discuss and empirically examine what type of relationships and positions are aimed for by PE-firms and how this translates into knowledge management and network strategies. Specifically we explore the geographical scope of PE-networks and how PE-firms’ knowledge management connects and integrates regional and supraregional networks.We will show that although regional financial centres function as nodes in these networks, PE-activities do not seem to play an important role in (re)stimulating financial dynamics in these centres.
