Co-Innovation Competence

A Strategic Approach to Entrepreneurship in Regional Innovation Structures

Author: Benedict C. Doepfer

Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

Book Series : Entrepreneurial Management und Standortentwicklung – Perspektiven für Unternehmen und Destinationen

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

About this book

This work contributes to entrepreneurship research and offers practical implications for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship promotors by critically analyzing a networked approach to value creation processes of young knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial firms and assessing precise strategies and tactics for entrepreneurial firms to exploit these structures. In this context the concept of co-innovation competence is introduced and empirically analyzed. Results indicate that entrepreneurs follow a specific approach towards networking minimizing transaction costs taking an on-demand-based perspective of networking. In this case entrepreneurs may relate to regional innovation promotors and also reach beyond regional structures to explore suitable partners and exploit structural holes.

Frontmatter

1. Introduction

Abstract

A structural economic change has emerged from the effects of global competition leading to a demand shift toward individualized, requirement-specific products and services. Furthermore, a shortening of product life cycles has arisen due to increased customer requirements for continuous improvement and innovation. To compensate for the increasing cost structures due to the shift described the achievement of synergy effects within the production process may be seen as a vital component to optimizing the variety of the product portfolio or, more precisely, as a requirement for future competitiveness.

Benedict C. Doepfer

2. State of the Discussion

Abstract

“The historical evolution of ideas about the entrepreneur is a wide-ranging subject.” A variety of approaches toward to a defining and conceptualizing entrepreneurship from a broad array of cross-disciplinary perspectives can be identified in the literature. There is a wide perception that entrepreneurship is as a process of discovery, evaluation, and exploitation in which individuals pursue opportunities to create market innovations and therefore cause creative destruction on current market conditions.

Benedict C. Doepfer

3. Theoretical Basis

Abstract

The concept of social capital can be identified in a broad array of scientific fields ranging within the spectrum of social sciences. Despite early publications drawing on the term and, as in case of Granovetter, considering social capital as decisive resource for interorganizational collaboration (1985, p. 524), a remarkable increase of attention in the social sciences disciplines can be found since the 1990s.

Benedict C. Doepfer

4. Conceptual Framework and Dimensions of Analysis

Abstract

This chapter aims for an integrative discussion of the concepts previously elaborated. In this regard, the entrepreneurial firm is the focal object of the investigation striving for economic value creation within its environmental context. In the literature several contributions can be identified analyzing the influence of external factors and conditions on firm performance. These contributions serve as point of reference for conceptualizing a basic framework of analysis.

Benedict C. Doepfer

5. Methodology and Operationalization of Empirical Analysis

Abstract

As this statement by the Nobel Prize winning scholar Krugman indicates, social phenomena may hardly be grasped by limiting their complexity to defined models allowing the application of standardized procedures of analysis. Being aware that the selected phenomenon of investigation applies to this challenge a suitable approach has to be identified within the possibilities of scientific analytical procedures to achieve cognizance. The following section, therefore, presents the concept of triangulation as multi-component analytical concept allowing for an approach toward the investigation of strategically pursuing entrepreneurship in regional innovation structures.

Benedict C. Doepfer

6. Empirical Study Results

Abstract

The innovation capacity of an entrepreneurial firm has been emphasized as a precondition for empirically analyzing the presented framework of investigation. This is based on the assumption that firms refer to a substantial resource base in the form of firm-specific assets and an entrepreneurial motivation characterized by opportunity-based firm behavior to achieve performance. In this regard, knowledge-intensive firms were selected as objects of investigation, assuming the existence of critical resources specifically in terms of knowledge as basis of entrepreneurial motivation. Therefore, the first section of the empirical results discusses the innovation capacity of the firms analyzed before drawing on the data collected to determine entrepreneurial performance.

Benedict C. Doepfer

7. Implications and Discussion

Abstract

This work contributes to entrepreneurship research by critically discussing the applicability of the concept of open innovation and respectively, a networked approach to interorganizational value creation processes of young knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial firms. Based on the state of discussion in the field, there is an opening of innovation processes performed by entrepreneurial firms that are increasingly becoming networked.

Benedict C. Doepfer

Backmatter

Title: Co-Innovation Competence
Author: Benedict C. Doepfer
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-658-00255-8
Print ISBN: 978-3-658-00254-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-00255-8

Springer Professional

About this book

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

1. Introduction

2. State of the Discussion

3. Theoretical Basis

4. Conceptual Framework and Dimensions of Analysis

5. Methodology and Operationalization of Empirical Analysis

6. Empirical Study Results

7. Implications and Discussion

Backmatter