Grazing, exploring and networking for sustainability-oriented innovations in learning-action networks: an SME perspective
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Grazing, exploring and networking for sustainability-oriented innovations in learning-action networks : an SME perspective. / Klewitz, Johanna.
In: Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research, Vol. 30, No. 4, 02.10.2017, p. 476 - 503.Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Grazing, exploring and networking for sustainability-oriented innovations in learning-action networks
T2 - an SME perspective
AU - Klewitz, Johanna
PY - 2017/10/2
Y1 - 2017/10/2
N2 - With sustainability-oriented innovations (SOIs) small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can conquer niche markets, cut resource usage and improve the quality of life. SMEs follow different strategic orientations for SOIs. They are conditioned by their organizational structures, capabilities and interaction with the business, regulatory and knowledge network. Usually, SMEs find it easier to span their boundaries to the business network. This research explores, in a longitudinal multi-case study, how the interaction with the knowledge network can condition an SME's strategic orientation. In the analysis of a learning-action network established by a research institute, three network-patterns (grazer, explorer and networker) are observed which result from different SME boundary-spanning processes. A central role is played by the boundary spanners who influence to which degree the SME can build up exploratory and exploitative learning capabilities to further deploy, push forward or generically develop its strategic orientation for SOIs in interaction with the knowledge network.
AB - With sustainability-oriented innovations (SOIs) small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can conquer niche markets, cut resource usage and improve the quality of life. SMEs follow different strategic orientations for SOIs. They are conditioned by their organizational structures, capabilities and interaction with the business, regulatory and knowledge network. Usually, SMEs find it easier to span their boundaries to the business network. This research explores, in a longitudinal multi-case study, how the interaction with the knowledge network can condition an SME's strategic orientation. In the analysis of a learning-action network established by a research institute, three network-patterns (grazer, explorer and networker) are observed which result from different SME boundary-spanning processes. A central role is played by the boundary spanners who influence to which degree the SME can build up exploratory and exploitative learning capabilities to further deploy, push forward or generically develop its strategic orientation for SOIs in interaction with the knowledge network.
KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics
KW - Boundary spanning
KW - learning-action network
KW - SMEs
KW - sustainable entrepreneurship
KW - sustainability-oriented innovation
KW - university–industry interaction
KW - Boundary spanning
KW - learning-action network
KW - SMEs
KW - sustainable entrpreneurship
KW - sustainability-oriented innovation
KW - university-industry interaction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84945242292&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13511610.2015.1070090
DO - 10.1080/13511610.2015.1070090
M3 - Journal articles
VL - 30
SP - 476
EP - 503
JO - Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research
JF - Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research
SN - 1351-1610
IS - 4
ER -