The Simulation of Knowledge Flows on Collaboration Innovation Networks Based on Cellular Automata

Purpose Little is known, about the role played by start-ups in open innovation networks. Start-ups – due to their nature of new and emerging companies – can largely benefit from the knowledge that can flow intentionally or unintentionally from external partners during open innovation practices. When open innovation networks are not set among peers on both sides the authors expect to have more unintended knowledge flows. Such knowledge “leaks” – as the authors named them – in open innovation networks are totally unexplored in literature. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to focus “whether and how knowledge leaks occur in open innovation networks with start-ups”. Design/methodology/approach The research design of this study relies on social network analysis methods and techniques to disentangle the role of start-ups in open innovation networks – in a major Italian aerospace cluster – vis-à-vis the three types of knowledge considered in this study. Then the authors confirmed knowledge leaks to occur through a multiplexity analysis. In the second stage of the research, the authors decided to strengthen the results, making them more vivid and thorough, relying on four case studies. Findings The paper sheds light on a totally unexplored phenomenon, theorizing on the role of start-ups in open innovation networks and suggesting intriguing implications both for theory and managers on whether and how knowledge leaks occur. Research limitations/implications The main limitations arise from the specific research context, in fact the study has been conducted in an aerospace cluster. So future studies might consider to explore knowledge leaks in non-cluster settings and in low tech industries. Practical implications The results have practical implications both for policy makers and for managers. First of all, the research confirms how open innovation often originates from a combination of different knowledge types acquired through the collaboration with heterogeneous players, start-ups included. Hence, managers may design open innovation strategies balancing their portfolio of collaborations to maximize the absorption of relevant knowledge and start-uppers may consider to engage in open innovation practices to accelerate knowledge absorption. Nevertheless, the study warns managers against the risk of knowledge leaks, especially in cases like start-ups where the eagerness to participate or the prestige associated with participating in open innovation networks with key players may hamper the control over knowledge leaks. Social implications This opens up for possible interventions for policy makers too. First of all, policy makers may consider incorporating the concept of knowledge leaks in their campaign in favour of open innovation. Second, the study may help policy makers in designing programmes for knowledge transfer partnerships amongst the various players of a cluster in a more conscious way, especially warning new to business companies, like start-ups, about possible leaks. Finally, there is also the need of developing professional figures like consultants capable of supporting start-ups in their open innovation practices. Originality/value Findings reported in the paper confirm multiplexity and heteromorphism in knowledge exchanges and shed the light on a completely unexplored field (i.e. open innovation and start-ups), focussing on knowledge leaks. Relevant implications for policy makers and managers are included in the study.

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Managing Innovation Networks for Knowledge Mobility and Appropriability: A Complexity Perspective

Entrepreneurship Research Journal ◽

10.1515/erj-2015-0016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Graciela Corral de Zubielqui ◽

Janice Jones ◽

Larissa Statsenko

Keyword(s):

Feedback Loop ◽

Complexity Science ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

Innovation Networks ◽

Supply Chain Network ◽

Learning Networks ◽

Distributed Intelligence ◽

Rapid Changes ◽

Market Strategies ◽

Critical Resources

AbstractDespite widespread recognition that an enterprise’s critical resources may extend beyond the enterprise’s traditional boundaries, with the focal enterprise drawing upon the resources of other firms and institutions through networks, there is a dearth of empirical research on knowledge mobility and appropriability patterns among innovative Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the lens of complexity science. We address this gap, by examining what, how, and why innovation-related knowledge flows from networks into SMEs, and how SMEs protect intellectual property (IP) and appropriate value. Based on a survey of 838 SMEs, we find patterns of internal and external knowledge flows with SMEs searching for ideas internally, and via market-based networks, with internally sourced ideas having the strongest impact on innovativeness. The results also show SMEs are most likely to network with market-based agents relative to localised learning networks. Further, networking with suppliers increases innovativeness, as does sourcing knowledge as part of a package with the purchase of new equipment, underscoring the importance of the vertical supply chain network. Despite limited interaction with localised learning networks, outsourcing R&D to these networks increases innovativeness. We also find that informal IP, in particular, secrecy, complexity of product design, and frequent and rapid changes to products/services increases innovativeness, as do formal copyrights and trademarks. In addition to protecting IP, these practices are product market strategies, enabling SMEs to commercialise innovations and appropriate value. But while appropriability mechanisms provide innovation benefits to individual agents, from the perspective of complexity science, IP mechanisms act as barriers to effective knowledge flows (e.g. information sharing) preventing innovative networking through the mechanism of a positive feedback loop to evolve to the state where distributed intelligence comes into play and facilitates break-through innovations.

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Innovation Networks and Knowledge Flows Across the European Regions

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.498342 ◽

2004 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Raffaele Paci ◽

Ernesto Batteta

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Flows ◽

Innovation Networks ◽

European Regions

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A methodology for unveiling global innovation networks: patent citations as clues to cross border knowledge flows

Scientometrics ◽

10.1007/s11192-014-1351-2 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. 61-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Leonardo Costa Ribeiro ◽

Glenda Kruss ◽

Gustavo Britto ◽

Américo Tristão Bernardes ◽

Eduardo da Motta e Albuquerque

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Flows ◽

Innovation Networks ◽

Patent Citations ◽

Cross Border ◽

Global Innovation

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Building Networks to Harness Innovation Synergies: Towards an Open Systems Approach to Sustainable Development

Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity ◽

10.3390/joitmc5030070 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 70 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Rajah Rasiah

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Open Innovation ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Open Systems ◽

Innovation Process ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

Innovation Networks ◽

Organizational Boundaries ◽

Critical Knowledge ◽

Systems Model

Open innovation has become a popular approach, especially since 2003, as people began purposively managing, evolving and harnessing knowledge flows across organizational boundaries but through increasing connections with systemic knowledge nodes relevant to the innovation process. The creation and appropriation of such knowledge has evolved rapidly with digitalization and the proliferation of broadband networks. Individuals, firms and organizations now connect and coordinate to support innovations openly across innovation systems. This paper proposes an open systems model with institutional underpinnings to not only quicken knowledge flows and expand the networks to a wider range of socioeconomic agents, but also for their inclusive participation in shaping the processes of achieving sustainable development through environmental greening and egalitarian balancing of society. In doing so, using examples, the paper focuses on developments since Schumpeter’s ground-breaking exposition of innovation to explain how individuals, firms, farms and organizations can participate actively in open innovation networks to connect productively with the critical knowledge nodes in society.

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