Knowledge Sharing in Industrial Associations and Science and Technology Parks

Abstract

Knowledge management practices are used in collaborative networks promoting innovation in order to share critical knowledge among network members towards improving organizational results. This paper proposes to explore the channels and practices for knowledge sharing in collaborative networks, by means of an exploratory multiple case study carried out in two types of collaborative networks: (i) industrial associations; and (ii) science and technology parks. Empirical evidence has been collected from interviews with managers of the collaborative networks and of organizations participating in the collaborative networks. The contribution of this paper to the knowledge management literature is twofold: (i) it provides a characterization of the channels and technology used for knowledge sharing in collaborative networks based on empirical evidence and (ii) it describes knowledge sharing practices used among organizations to foster new forms of connectivity between groups and individuals.

Perceived benefits of science park attributes among park tenants in the Netherlands

“…In contrast, from a commercial perspective, Heydebreck et al (2000) suggested that technology-based start-ups are required to seek out global opportunities to launch their innovations in order to break-even from their R&D expenses, which could partly explain why we find in this study that firms consider business networking events primarily as a way to be near customers. Moreover, the socialisation process among organisations on SPs is beneficial for knowledge sharing as emphasized in Inomata et al (2016). Compared to the other firm types, young technology-based firms associate cost benefits considerably less often with business support.…”

“…Hansen 1999;Byosiere et al 2010). Socialisation among actors on SPs enhances tie strength and therefore eases the transfer of valuable tacit knowledge (Inomata et al 2016). Dettwiler et al (2006) inquired start-ups on the importance of geographical proximity benefits, distinguishing nearness to a university, to customers and to firms (both competing and similar types).…”

Exploring science park location choice: A stated choice experiment among Dutch technology-based firms

“…Specifically, for these smaller and younger firms the networking events and training are of interest as they lack the financial and organisational capacity to do so on their own (Chan and Lau, 2005;Löfsten and Lindelöf, 2005). Networking events enable the interaction between different co-located actors and repeated interactions between these actors is expected to contribute to knowledge sharing (Inomata et al, 2016). SP tenant firms associate both training programs and business networking events with knowledge sharing and collaboration and to be closer to the university and new clients, while networking events also serve the purpose of meeting other firms (Ng et al, 2019b).…”

Information Management for Network Transformation in Industrial Enterprises Associations

“…In the specific case of SMEs, it appears that due to their resource constraints, SMEs are more dependent than large firms on the services, information and contacts generated through IEAs (Gashi, Hashi, & Pugh, 2013). The recent study of Inomata et al (2016) explores the channels and practices for knowledge sharing in Science and Technology Parks, as well as in IEAs. Knowledge sharing is the process when individuals mutually exchange tacit and explicit knowledge, creating new knowledge in collaboration (van den Hooff & De Ridder, 2004).…”