Building Networks for Innovation Diffusion in Europe: Learning from the SPRINT Programme

Abstract

This paper concerns the building of organizational networks for the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries. In particular, it reports on an investigation of the Specific Project Action Line (SPAL); an exploratory initiative within the SPRINT programme which sought to improve the understanding and operation of the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries in Europe. The paper draws upon social network theory and evaluations of earlier networking initiatives within the SPRINT programme in order to inform the analysis of three SPAL projects. An important aspect of the study was the development of the network graphic as an analytical tool for the representation and comparison of project networks over time and between project. It is concluded that network diversity, network configuration, and the management of the networking process are all key and inter-related network themes that influence the diffusion of innovation across national boundaries. However, the cases highlight the problem of prescribing a single 'best' network structure for diffusion. It was found, for example, that the more 'distant'the innovation was from the market place, the more constrained the network needed to be, both in terms of size and diversity.