Strategic Management of Innovation Networks

This textbook provides a theoretical and practical guide on how to manage social networks to increase innovation and improve performance.

Müge Özman (Author)

9781107416796, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 March 2017

360 pages, 48 b/w illus. 21 tables
24.7 x 17.4 x 1.8 cm, 0.72 kg

'In a world that has become increasingly connected the importance of understanding how networks influence innovation is critical to organizational performance. I would recommend Strategic Management of Innovation Networks to anyone who is interested in how innovation is embedded in networks. Özman gives an excellent introduction to a complex topic and details both the theoretical relationship between networks and innovation as well as outlining the steps needed to analyse and manage innovation networks. It is a must-read for students, practitioners and researchers.' Andrew Parker, University of Kentucky

Suitable for a one- or two-semester course for undergraduate and graduate students, this interdisciplinary textbook explains the diverse aspects of innovation and social networks, which occupy a central place in business and policy agendas. Its unified approach presents networks as nested systems that can span organisations, industries, regions, and markets, giving students a holistic perspective and reducing the amount of effort required to learn the theoretical framework for each layer. With engaging real-world examples, the text also provides a practical guide on how to manage networks to increase innovation and improve performance. Topics covered include forming teams to foster creativity, selecting partners and leveraging partnerships for learning, managing organisational change, and sponsoring technologies in communities. Students will learn the metrics used in social network analysis and how they are interpreted and applied. Suggested reading lists and online resources offer opportunities for further review and practice.

Part I. Opening the Black Box of Innovation Networks: 1. Introduction
2. Two sides of innovation: search and selection
3. Network as a nested system
4. Social network analysis for innovation networks
5. Managing innovation networks
Part II. Search Processes: 6. Alliances, networks, and learning
7. Creativity and networks
8. Users, product systems, and networks
Part III. Selection Processes: 9. Decision-making, signals, and new ventures
10. Networks and organisational change
11. Networks and diffusion
Part IV. Behind Networks: 12. Tie formation and dissolution
13. Network evolution.

Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship [KJH], Business innovation [KJD]