Development of small and medium-sized enterprise horizontal innovation networks: UK agri-food sector study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Development of small and medium-sized enterprise horizontal innovation networks: UK agri-food sector study

AU - McAdam, Maura

AU - McAdam, Rodney

AU - Dunn, Adele

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PY - 2014/11/1

Y1 - 2014/11/1

N2 - Within the management literature, there is an emergent discourse on horizontal collaboration among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), whereby individual rivalries are overcome by the need for more resources and innovation, leading to increased competitiveness through joint product development. In particular, a number of these horizontal collaborations between SMEs have occurred within the agri-food sector. As a consequence, this article aims to explore the longitudinal development of horizontal innovation networks within an artisan bakers’ network as part of the UK SME agri-food sector. An interpretivist research approach was used, whereby the development and evolution of an artisan bakers’ horizontal network was studied over a 27-month period. The findings, as summarised in conceptual models which draw upon knowledge-based open innovation and social network constructs, illustrate that a complex three-stage life cycle development occurred within the bakers’ horizontal network.

AB - Within the management literature, there is an emergent discourse on horizontal collaboration among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), whereby individual rivalries are overcome by the need for more resources and innovation, leading to increased competitiveness through joint product development. In particular, a number of these horizontal collaborations between SMEs have occurred within the agri-food sector. As a consequence, this article aims to explore the longitudinal development of horizontal innovation networks within an artisan bakers’ network as part of the UK SME agri-food sector. An interpretivist research approach was used, whereby the development and evolution of an artisan bakers’ horizontal network was studied over a 27-month period. The findings, as summarised in conceptual models which draw upon knowledge-based open innovation and social network constructs, illustrate that a complex three-stage life cycle development occurred within the bakers’ horizontal network.

KW - SME

KW - innovation networks

KW - agri food

U2 - 10.1177/0266242613476079

DO - 10.1177/0266242613476079

M3 - Article

VL - 32

SP - 830

EP - 853

JO - International Small Business Journal

T2 - International Small Business Journal

JF - International Small Business Journal

SN - 0266-2426

IS - 7

ER -