Social Interaction and Organisational Change

The following sections are included:

• Preface

• The Contributors

• Contents

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Actors and Innovation Networks

• Structure, Embeddedness and Innovation Networks

• Social Interaction and Innovation Networks

• Researching Innovation Networks

• Issues of Theory and Method

• Aston Perspectives

• Appendix 1. Contributions to innovation networks.

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction: Innovation and Networks

• The Politics of Innovation

• Micropolitics and Innovation Networks

• Research Methods

• Innovation Networks in PAC

• The Micropolitics of Innovation Networks

• Conclusions

• Appendix 1: 1992 Structure

• Appendix 2: 1993 Structure

• Appendix 3: Mid-1995 Structure

• Appendix 4: January 1997 Structure

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Social Network Analysis and Network Mapping
  • Relational Data and the Social Network Perspective
  • Mathematical Versus Metaphorical Orientations: Locating the Middle Ground

• Informal Organisation
  • Distinguishing Informal and Formal Organisation
  • Dis-Entangling Varying Notions of Informal and Social Organisation
  • Accounting for the Emergence of Informal Organisation
  • Organisations as Overlapping Sets of Networks and Rule Systems
  • Boundary-Spanning: A Key Characteristic of Informal and Social Organisation

• The Tensions Between Formal and Informal Organisation
  • Dissonance in Goals and Objectives
  • Competing Power Bases

• Methodology

• Introduction to the Case-Study
  • The Organisation
  • Background: Formulating an IT Strategy and Selecting the Pilot Housing Estate

• The Case-Study: Pilot Implementation of an IT System
  • Initiating the Pilot Implementation
  • IT (in)Competence within the Formal and Informal Organisation
  • Mobilisation of the Informal Organisation
  • Reassertion of the Formal Organisation
  • What Does the Case-Study Help to Illustrate?

• Concluding Comments

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Knowledge and Innovation

• A Transaction Cost Perspective

• Evolutionary Economics and Resource-based Theory

• The Roles of Reputation and Trust

• Spillovers in Innovation

• Cooperation and Spillovers in Networks: Insights from Game Theory

• Conclusions

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• An Economics Perspective on Innovation Networks

• The Product Development Survey

• Discussion: Innovation, Networks and Institutions

• Conclusions

• References

The following sections are included:

• Innovation and Risk in the Food Sector

• Network Conceptualisations Drawing on Evolutionary Models of Technology
  • Firm Based Networks
  • Two Types of Social Network

• Network Approaches to Organisation and Policy Processes
  • Innovation Networks
  • Mapping Innovation Networks
  • Risk Arenas and Policy Networks
  • Visualising Policy Networks

• A Research Framework for Exploring Innovation and Risk Networks

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Policy Initiatives for Improving UK Industrial Competitiveness

• The Innovation Process

• The Network Perspective

• The Innovation Process and Actor-Network Theory

• Methodology

• The Beta Teaching Company Scheme: A Techno-Economic Network

• The Four Moments of Translation
  • Problematisation
  • Interessement
  • Enrolment
  • Mobilisation

• Fragmenting the Network

• Summary

• References

In this chapter, I relate the concept of organisational learning to the recent literature on industrial districts and innovation networks. The network literature so far has not applied findings from organisational learning to network learning in a straightforward way. Usually, learning is equated with innovation and 'absorptive capacity'. However, the same virtues that distinguish networks from ordinary market exchange may turn into vices which stifle the innovative process. Core firms in industrial sectors seem to be particularly prone to this. Conversely, collaboration in knowledge intensive industries typically is both an entry ticket to an information network and a vehicle for rapid communication about new opportunities and obstacles. The chapter ends with a proposed outline for further research.

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Theoretical Background
  • The Concept of Networks in Organisation Theory
  • Networks and the Provision of Public Services
  • Innovation, Social Policy and the Innovative Capacity of VNPOs

• Research Methodology
  • Defining and Classifying Innovation
  • The Survey
  • The Case Studies

• The Impact of Networks on the Innovative Capacity of VNPOs
  • The Strategic Approach of VNPOs to their Environment
  • The Inter-Organisational Field
  • Networks and the Process of Innovation

• Conclusions

• References

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• The Ecoprotest Movement

• The Postmodern Environment of Organisations

• The Ecoprotest

• The Strategic Goals of New Age Travellers

• The Traveller Network: A Self-Organising System

• The Local Community Network

• Innovation Through Networking

• Conclusions and Lessons

• References

The following sections are included:

• The Rise of the Network Perspective: Simply a Fashion or Fad?

• The 'Taken-for-Granteds' of the Network Perspective in Innovation Studies

• Issues Relating to Existing Network Research
  • An Under-Emphasis on Data-Gathering
  • Short-Changing Network Message Content and Time
  • Theory-Less Orientated Research
  • Making Explicit the Boundary of Analysis

• Concluding Comments

• References

The following sections are included:

• Index