The paper reports on knowledge flows between industry participants as revealed in the survey of over 200 contractors, consultants, clients and suppliers. The tracing of these knowledge flows amounts to mapping business networks. The objectives of this paper are to: measure the level of networking between organisations; identify the key nodes in networks; map the patterns of usage of key nodes by industry sub-sector, region and business size; and determine whether there is a relationship between level of networking by an organisation and innovation adoption rates. The most important finding of the study is that business networking, both in terms of consultation patterns and sources of new ideas of innovation, is positively related to innovation levels, measured by adoption activity. Participation in business networks is one of the key features that differentiates innovative businesses from other businesses. The paper concludes by highlighting the value, for industry participants, of comprehensive relationships with the key nodes identified by the study. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E208431.
Samenvatting