Innovation networks: the key role of actors

Innovation is more and more the result of sophisticated interactions between a number of actors (Tsai et al., 2009; Powell et al., 1996), which makes the innovative process complex, chaotic, non-linear and characterized by both diverging and converging directions (Van de Ven et al., 1999). Actors coordinate day-to-day activities with various partners to create value for customers (Håkansson et al., 2009). As stated by Gulati (2010), “In order to redefine innovation more broadly than before, companies must involve more voices in the innovation process” (Hakansson and Snehota, 1989; Powell et al., 1996). Interaction and resource allocation occur through a network that involves different individuals and institutions engaged in reciprocal, preferential and supportive actionsThe first special issue includes seven papers, which can be grouped into the following areas: - exploring the different sources of heterogeneity among actors; - exploring the various goals of actors in INs; and - mediating actors’ heterogeneity.