@article{2014:fliaster:innovation,
title = {Innovation in small and medium-sized companies: Knowledge integration mechanisms and the role of top managers’ networks},
year = {2014},
note = {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.},
journal = {mrev management revue},
pages = {125--147},
author = {Fliaster, Alexander and Golly, Tanja},
volume = {25},
number = {2}
}