The transformation between exploration and exploitation applied to inventors of packaging innovations
Author
Summary, in English
While the inventor is often the driver of an invention in the early stages, he/she needs to move between different social networks for knowledge in order to create and capture value. The main objective of this research is to propose a literature-based framework based on innovation network theory and complemented with C-K theory, in order to analyze the invention/innovation process of inventors and the product concepts in a packaging industry context. Empirical input from three case studies of packaging inventions and their inventors is used to elaborate the suggested framework.
The article identifies important gaps in the literature of innovation networks. This is addressed through a theoretical framework based on network theories, complemented with C-K theory for the product design level. The strength-of-ties dimension of the theoretical framework suggests, in agreement with the mainstream literature and the cases presented, that weak ties are required to access the knowledge related to exploration networks and strong ties are required to utilize the knowledge in the exploitation network. The transformation network is an intermediate step acting as a bridge where entrepreneurs can find required knowledge. The transformation network is also an intermediate step where entrepreneurs find financing and companies interested in commercializing inventions.
The article identifies important gaps in the literature of innovation networks. This is addressed through a theoretical framework based on network theories, complemented with C-K theory for the product design level. The strength-of-ties dimension of the theoretical framework suggests, in agreement with the mainstream literature and the cases presented, that weak ties are required to access the knowledge related to exploration networks and strong ties are required to utilize the knowledge in the exploitation network. The transformation network is an intermediate step acting as a bridge where entrepreneurs can find required knowledge. The transformation network is also an intermediate step where entrepreneurs find financing and companies interested in commercializing inventions.
Department/s
Publishing year
2010
Language
English
Pages
322-331
Publication/Series
Technovation; The International Journal of Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Management
Volume
30
Issue
5-6
Full text
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Links
- Publication in Lund University research portal
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V8B-4Y9V868-1&_user=745831&_coverDate=02%2F04%2F2010&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000041498&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=745831&md5=30a871e624ed4a71b90581c6ac40eba3
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2010.01.001
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Other Mechanical Engineering
Keywords
- Network Theory
- Packaging innovations
- C-K theory
- Exploitation network
- Exploration network
- Case studies
- Innovation Networks
- Packaging logistics
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0166-4972