You don’t forget where you come from: linking formation and operations in publicly funded innovation networks

Abstract

Publicly funded innovation networks (PFINs) are an increasing form of organizing joint innovation activities. Yet, little is known about this form of organization which mixes characteristics of centralized and de-centralized innovation networks. This research investigates how processes of network formation affect its operation in PFINs as a hybrid form between centralized and de-centralized networks. Presenting rich data from a PFIN in the Scandinavian maritime industry, the findings show three patterns linking network formation and operation. The first pattern – well-aligned centralized and de-centralized approaches – in network formation resulted in well-functioning network operation. The second pattern – misalignment between centralized and de-centralized approaches in network formation resulted in stagnating innovation activities during network operation. The third pattern – a pre-dominant de-centralized approach during network formation resulted in unconnected sub-activities during network operation. This research contributes by showing the importance of utilizing both centralized and de-centralized approaches and aligning them to enable well-functioning network formation and operation.

Keywords:

• Publicly funded innovation networks
• case study
• maritime industry
• governance
• inter-organizational relationships

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melanie E. Kreye

Dr. Melanie E. Kreye is an Associate Professor in Operations Management at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU Management). She further holds an external positions at the Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, UK. Her research focuses on uncertainty in different industrial and academic areas including engineering service operations (servitization), product development and solution development. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Omega – The International Journal of Management Science, the International Journal of Operations & Production Management, and Production Planning & Control. She is an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Operations & Production Management.

Zoran Perunovic

Dr. Zoran Perunovic is a Director of Executive Education at Rice Business School, Rice University. Prior to Rice, Zoran served as an Associate Professor and academic director of Executive MBA programme at the Technical University of Denmark. He is also a member of the Innovation Corridor Committee at Houston Exponential, and an advisor to the Texas Medical Centre Innovation Institute. Zoran is passionate about executive education, management consulting, innovation in general, and particularly in and across healthcare, energy, and maritime industries. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as California Management Review, Technovation, International Journal of Production Economics, and International Journal of Operations and Production Management.