Innovation in small and medium-sized companies: Knowledge integration mechanisms and the role of top managers’ networks

Alexander Fliaster; Tanja Golly

doi:10.5771/0935-9915-2014-2-125

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 75–78 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 75–78
- 79–79 Apologies 79–79
- 80–102 Stakeholder involvement in Human Resource Management practices: Evidence from Italy Marco Guerci, Abraham B. Rami Shani Marco Guerci, Abraham B. Rami Shani 80–102
- 103–124 Is self-leadership the new silver bullet of leadership? An empirical test of the relationship between self-leadership and organizational commitment Signe Pihl-Thingvad Signe Pihl-Thingvad 103–124
- 125–147 Innovation in small and medium-sized companies: Knowledge integration mechanisms and the role of top managers’ networks Alexander Fliaster, Tanja Golly Alexander Fliaster, Tanja Golly 125–147
- 148–150 Book review 148–150
- 151–157 Call for Papers 151–157
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mrev management revue , page 125 - 147

Innovation in small and medium-sized companies: Knowledge integration mechanisms and the role of top managers’ networks

Autoren

Alexander Fliaster Tanja Golly

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/0935-9915-2014-2-125
- ISSN: 0935-9915
- ISSN online: 1861-9908
Abstract

Past research has revealed that knowledge integration is an important prerequisite for the success of new product development. For this reason, companies deploy a number of formal mechanisms to foster integration across multiple functions and hierarchical levels. In many SMEs, however, such formal mechanisms are complemented or even replaced by informal social networks among managers and employees. Despite the relevance of intraorganizational networks, past research on SMEs, however, was focused mainly on the interorganizational level of analysis. To cover this gap, we map ego networks of senior managers in SMEs and explore their knowledge exchange relationships both inside and across functional and hierarchical boundaries. Our study shows that these social networks are an essential driver of knowledge integration and innovation.
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