Title: Innovation in networks of companies with different governance structures

Authors: Leander Luiz Klein; Nelson Beuter Júnior; Kadígia Faccin

Addresses: Federal University of Santa Maria, Roraima Avenue, 1000, Santa Maria – RS, 97105-900, Brazil ' Unisinos University, Dr. Nilo Peçanha Avenue, 1600, Porto Alegre – RS, 91330-002, Brazil ' Unisinos University, Dr. Nilo Peçanha Avenue, 1600, Porto Alegre – RS, 91330-002, Brazil

Abstract: Different studies have found that companies' networks facilitate innovation in their member companies. However, little is known about how innovations occur in networks with different modes of governance. In this sense, the purpose of this article is to identify which innovations arise in networks with a governance structure focused on leading companies in comparison to the governance structure based on network administrative organisation (NAO). Interviews with twelve entrepreneurs (six of each distinct governance structures) realised. As the main results, we verify the greater diversity of innovation in networks with governance mode based on the NAO model. Innovations in product and market have been more explicit in the networks with this structure of governance. We conclude that structural, managerial, coordination, and control aspects of members' activities favour networks with the NAO model and direct more innovations in these networks.

Keywords: innovation; business networks; governance structure; network administrative organisation; NAO; lead organisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2022.123034

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2022 Vol.27 No.1, pp.125 - 146

Received: 08 Sep 2019
Accepted: 17 Dec 2019
Published online: 23 May 2022 *

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