Steve Conway

Informal boundary-spanning communication in the innovation process: an empirical study

The sources of ideas embodied uithln successful technological innovation have been a subject of interest in many studies since the 1950s. This research suggests that sources external to the innovating organization account for between 34% and 65% of the inputs important to the development of successful innovation. In addition, studies have long highlighted personal boundary-spanning communication as an important mechanism for the transference of such ideas. Despite this recognition, there has been little systematic evaluation of the role and importance of informal boundary-spanning communication in the innovation process. This paper provides the results of an empirical study, of the role and source of infomally derived inputs into the development products of 35 commercially successful innovations. It was found that inormal mechanisms were often enlployad to transfer ideas and information, as well as other resources, during the idea-generation, ,problem-solving and field-testing phases of these innovation p...

Mapping Innovation Networks

This paper outlines a detailed and systematic method for revealing and mapping out the network mobilised in the development of a discrete innovation. This is termed a focal action-set. Important to the utility of this approach has been the development of a set of conventions for the graphical expression of the network and its components: actors, links and flows. It is argued that the network graphic provides a powerful, though under-utilised, tool for the representation of relational data. It may be employed, for example, to reveal variations in network configuration and to highlight key networking or boundary-spanning actors. The network mapping approach is illustrated through three cases of small firm innovation drawn from a wider investigation of award-winning technological innovations. A comparison between the network maps show a variation in the key boundary-spanning interactions, which is related to the organisational background of the entrepreneurial actor.

Strategic Personal Links in Successful Innovation: Link‐pins, Bridges, and Liaisons

The paper provides the results of an empirical study of the informal relationships employed in the development of 35 successful technological innovations. Through the adoption of a network perspective, the multiple sources and pluralistic patterns of collaboration and communication in the innovation process were systematically explored. A variety of formal and informal boundary-spanning relationships were found to have been mobilised by the innovating organisations during the respective developments investigated. A typology of three boundary-spanning link-types between these internal and external networks was identified: liaisons, bridges, and link-pins. Particular individuals were highlighted as being important in maintaining these often strategic links. Indeed, these links were found to be the property of individuals rather than the organisational positions that they occupied.

Informal Networks of Relationships in Successful Small Firm Innovation

In recent years a great deal of research effort has been directed towards identifying, mapping out, understanding and rationalising the formal interactions and relationships of innovative organisations (Hakansson, 1989; Hakansson and Johanson, 1990; Lawton-Smith, Dickson and Lloyd Smith, 1991; Hagedoorn and Schakenraad, 1992). However, while research has also indicated the importance of informal relationships to the innovation process, both within and outside such formal frameworks as joint ventures and technology agreements (von Hippel, 1988; Kreiner and Schultz, 1993; Shaw, 1993), this has largely been anecdotal in nature. This view is supported by Freeman (1991:500–2), who argues that ‘although rarely measured systematically … informal networks are extremely important, but very hard to classify and measure’.

Building Networks for Innovation Diffusion in Europe: Learning from the SPRINT Programme

This paper concerns the building of organizational networks for the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries. In particular, it reports on an investigation of the Specific Project Action Line (SPAL); an exploratory initiative within the SPRINT programme which sought to improve the understanding and operation of the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries in Europe. The paper draws upon social network theory and evaluations of earlier networking initiatives within the SPRINT programme in order to inform the analysis of three SPAL projects. An important aspect of the study was the development of the network graphic as an analytical tool for the representation and comparison of project networks over time and between project. It is concluded that network diversity, network configuration, and the management of the networking process are all key and inter-related network themes that influence the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries. However, the cases highlight the problem of...

Strategizing networks of power and influence: the internet and the struggle over contested space

Whilst some authors have portrayed the Internet as a powerful tool for business and political institutions, others have highlighted the potential of this technology for those vying to constrain or counter-balance the power of organizations, through e-collectivism and on-line action. What appears to be emerging is a contested space that has the potential to simultaneously enhance the power of organizations, whilst also acting as an enabling technology for the empowerment of grass-root networks. In this struggle, organizations are fighting for the retention of “old economy” positions, as well as the development of “new economy” power-bases. In realizing these positions, organizations and institutions are strategizing and manoeuvering in order to shape on-line networks and communications. For example, the on-line activities of individuals can be contained through various technological means, such as surveillance, and the structuring of the virtual world through the use of portals and “walled gardens”. However, loose groupings of individuals are also strategizing to ensure there is a liberation of their communication paths and practices, and to maintain the potential for mobilization within and across traditional boundaries. In this article, the unique nature and potential of the Internet are evaluated, and the struggle over this contested virtual space is explored.