Innovation Diffusion Networks

The term innovation diffusion network, innovation network, or network of innovation refers to different voluntary forms of collaboration between legally independent organizations that provide novel ideas, fast access to resources, and technology transfers, thereby enhancing the innovation capabilities of the firms involved. An increasing number of firms have been engaging in innovation-related partnerships with external agents since the 1960s. This trend has been paralleled by a growing interest in innovation networks of the scientific community throughout the past 30 years. Today, research on innovation networks constitutes an interdisciplinary field to which primarily three disciplines have contributed. Researchers from business economics have put a special focus on corporate benefits, modes of corporation, and the management of innovation networks. Studies in organizational sociology have mainly been interested ...