Abstract
This paper investigates how three design-intensive furnishings manufacturers managed, over an about 30 years time span, the structure of their networks of dyadic, joint-design collaborative relations with consulting industrial design firms. To answer the research question of the study, I initially advance a proposal for the operazionalization of tie strength, which is consistent with Granovetter¿s (1973) original proposal. Then, the strengths of strong ties and the weaknesses of a strong ties network are highlighted. Finally, I discuss the ability to create and preserve over time a ¿dual¿ network as a distinctive relational capability of the ¿central firm¿. I argue that managing an interfirm network so as to integrate a periphery of diverse, weak ties into a network architecture based on a core of strong ties, can provide a fertile ground for the central firm to gain a competitive advantage, whose sustainability is primarily based on the resulting, dynamic innovative capability.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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Titolo della pubblicazione ospite | 2001 Academy of Management (AOM) Conference |
Pagine | 1-31 |
Numero di pagine | 34 |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2001 |
Evento | 2001 Academy of Management (AOM) Conference - Washington Durata: 5 ago 2001 → 8 ago 2001 |
Convegno
Convegno | 2001 Academy of Management (AOM) Conference |
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Città | Washington |
Periodo | 5/8/01 → 8/8/01 |
Keywords
- innovation
- interfirm networks
- network structure
- organizational capabilities
- relational capabilities
- strength of ties