No abstract

This study contributes to the understanding of how trust based on perceived ability, benevolence, and integrity functions in networks. It adopts a mixed-method approach with quantitative and qualitative data from five Norwegian innovation networks. The study demonstrates how trust based on perceived benevolence, ability, and integrity influences different aspects of network interaction and network outcomes against the background of the network members' perceptions of risk. Moreover, it finds that these dimensions of trust function differently at the inter-organisational and at the network level. The former level here concerns trust between the organisations in the network, while the latter concerns trust in the network more generally. Benevolence-based trust is identified as particularly salient at both levels for promoting open and honest communication as well as knowledge sharing, enabling both more successful collaboration in general, and more innovation specifically.

Möllering (2016) Why don't all high-trust networks achieve strong network benefits? A case-based exploration of cooperation in Norwegian SME networks,

The aim of the current study is to investigate the importance of monitoring and employee control for employees '

Purpose – Research on entrepreneurship has documented differences in male and female entrepreneurs' growth ambitions. It has sometimes been criticized for disregarding important questions and contributions and for favoring a purely economic perspective. This includes a tendency to compare female entrepreneurs with a male norm. In this article, the authors, therefore, apply a more constructive approach and ask how and why entrepreneurial strategies are gendered. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – By analysing six cases, three female- and three male-dominated companies, the authors examined how men and women do business. The authors based the analysis on Miles and Snow's typology on product and market strategy and at the same time expanded it. Findings – The findings substantiated that women and men have similar qualities as entrepreneurs, but women's ambitions and values tend to be different to those espoused by men. This influences their growth strategies. The Miles and Snow typology was adjusted to encompass different growth strategies; staying small or expanding. The article discusses the implications of these findings for regional development and sustainability. Research limitations/implications – The research design in this article does not necessarily allow the authors to grasp the internal workings of a typical small- or medium-sized business. Neither does it provide generalizable information. Instead, the authors chose to focus on highly gendered sectors of industry to identify potential gender differences. Originality/value – This article contributes to theory on the motivation for entrepreneurship and to research on growth strategies. It also contributes to the literature on Miles and Snow's typology questioning the taken-for-granted goal of growth in economic theories and raising the question of advantages of the choice of staying small. The authors direct the focus to perspectives of embeddedness and intersectionality as a direction for future research.