Interfirm collaboration for knowledge resources interaction among small innovative firms

Abstract

For innovative SMEs, acquiring knowledge resources may serve as an important source to enhance their knowledge base of management practices. In line with the resource interaction approach, an essential way to do this is to participate in informal interfirm networks. Yet, researchers have only given cursory attention to resource exchange in cooperative networks. This study examines the structural, relational, and motivational drivers that lead firms to establish informal networks of relationships to find, exchange, and combine knowledge resources. Following a mixed methods research design using interview data and social network data, the study demonstrates that informal networks play a pivotal role for SMEs to capture valuable resources increasing their knowledge stock, forge organizational standing, and gain social connectivity through reciprocity. This research implies that knowledge as a resource transcends the individual organization, which offers implications for resource interaction in inter-organizational knowledge networks and management practice.