Articulating the orchestrator role in the Iran National Productivity network as an innovation network

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Iran University of Science and Technology

2 Narmak

Abstract

Innovation networks as platforms for cooperation across company boundaries, through sharing knowledge, expertise and opportunities, are considered powerful strategies for solving complex problems, and opening the innovation cycle to different actors. This research's aim is to determine the key activities and roles of a facilitator-type orchestration in innovation networks. The National Productivity Network, which aims to attract the participation of all productivity stakeholders in the public and private sector and operates under the auspices of the National Productivity Organization, has been selected as the subject of this research. Next, by studying related documents from the network and conducting 10 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, the required information was collected. To analyze the data, the qualitative method of theme analysis was used, and to illustrate the results, MaxQda software was used. Finally, a network of themes in the field of activities and roles of the Facilitator orchestrator is provided. In a way that activities include 7 universal subjects with titles of attracting members, planning and development of goals, ensuring the vitality of the network, ensuring the continuity of the network, communication and cooperation, identity building, and management knowledge movement in the form of three defined roles of architect, protector, and conductor.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

APO 2025: Vision, Strategy, and Action Agenda for the Asian Productivity Organization
     https://www.apo-tokyo.org/vision-2025/
Aarikka-Stenroos, L. , Jaakkola, E. , Harrison, D. , & Mäkitalo-Keinonen, T. (2017). How to manage innovation processes in extensive networks: A longitudinal study. Industrial Marketing Management, 67, 88–105. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2017. 09. 014
Aarikka-Stenroos, L. , Sandberg, B. , & Lehtimäki, T. (2014). Networks for the commercialization of innovations: A review of how divergent network actors contribute. Industrial Marketing Management, 43(3), 365–381. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2013. 12. 005
Alalääkkölä, T. , Torvinen, H. , Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, P. , & Mainela, T. (2023). From value creation to value capture practices in healthcare innovation collaborations. Innovation, 1–22. https: //doi. org/10. 1080/14479338. 2023. 2232996
Andresen, E. (2021). Orchestrator’s interaction in hub-teams facilitating innovation network co-creation. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing, 36(9), 1706–1718. https: //doi. org/10. 1108/JBIM-01-2020-0056
Bai, W. , & Johanson, M. (2018). International opportunity networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 70(June), 167–179. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2017. 07. 004
Bessant, J., & Tsekouras, G. (2001). Developing learning networks. Ai & Society, 15, 82-98.
Cantù, C. , Corsaro, D. , & Tunisini, A. (2015). Editorial - Organizing for innovation networks. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 30(3/4). https: //doi. org/10. 1108/JBIM-03-2015-0043
Chandler, S. M. (2017). Managing Innovative Collaborations: The Role of Facilitation and Other Strategies for Working Collaboratively. Human Service Organizations Management, Leadership and Governance, 41(2), 133–146. https: //doi. org/10. 1080/23303131. 2016. 1229708
Chesbrough, H. (2003). The Logic of Open Innovation. California Management Review, 45(3), 33–58. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/000812560304500301
Chesbrough, H. , Lettl, C. , & Ritter, T. (2018). Value Creation and Value Capture in Open Innovation. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 35(6), 930–938. https: //doi. org/https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. lrp. 2014. 03. 003
Corsaro, D. , Cantù, C. , & Tunisini, A. (2012). Actors’ Heterogeneity in Innovation Networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 41(5), 780–789. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2012. 06. 005
Czakon, W. , & Klimas, P. (2014). Innovative networks in knowledge-intensive industries: How to make them work? An empirical investigation into the Polish Aviation Valley. In The laws of the knowledge workplace. Routledge.
Dhanaraj, C. , & Parkhe, A. (2006). Orchestrating innovation networks. Academy of Management Review, 31(3), 659–669. https: //doi. org/10. 5465/amr. 2006. 21318923
Feranita, F. , Kotlar, J. , & De Massis, A. (2017). Collaborative innovation in family firms: Past research, current debates and agenda for future research. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 8(3), 137–156. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. jfbs. 2017. 07. 001
Gioia, D. A. , Corley, K. G. , & Hamilton, A. L. (2013). Seeking Qualitative Rigor in Inductive Research. Organizational Research Methods, 16(1), 15–31. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/1094428112452151
Giudici, A. , Reinmoeller, P. , & Ravasi, D. (2018). Open-System Orchestration as a Relational Source of Sensing Capabilities: Evidence from a Venture Association. Academy of Management Journal, 61(4), 1369–1402. https: //doi. org/10. 5465/amj. 2015. 0573
Gobbo, J. A. , & Olsson, A. (2010). The transformation between exploration and exploitation applied to inventors of packaging innovations. Technovation, 30(5–6), 322–331. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. technovation. 2010. 01. 001
Halinen, A. , & Törnroos, J. -Å. (2005). Using case methods in the study of contemporary business networks. Journal of Business Research, 58(9), 1285–1297.
Heidenreich, S. , Landsperger, J. , & Spieth, P. (2016). Are Innovation Networks in Need of a Conductor? Examining the Contribution of Network Managers in Low and High Complexity Settings. Long Range Planning, 49(1), 55–71. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. lrp. 2014. 03. 003
Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, P. , Möller, K. , & Nätti, S. (2022). Orchestrating innovation networks: Alignment and orchestration profile approach. Journal of Business Research, 140(1), 170–188. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. jbusres. 2021. 11. 084
Hurmelinna-Laukkanen, P. , & Nätti, S. (2018). Orchestrator types, roles and capabilities – A framework for innovation networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 74, 65–78. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2017. 09. 020
Javadi, S. , Mohammadi, M. , Hamidi, M. , & Mahmoud, B. (2015) [ in Persian]. Identifying, analyzing and categorizing factors affecting the formation of innovation networks in knowledge-based companies (a case study of Tehran University Science and Technology Park)
Kargarshahamat, B., Taqwa, M., & Tabatabaian, S. H. A. (2017) [ in Persian]. Analytical innovation network functions of technological learning in Iran's pharmaceutical sector. Technology Development Management Quarterly, 5(2), 9–39. https://doi.org/10.22104/jtdm.2018.2526.1854
Li, J. , Chen, Z. , & Schøtt, T. (2016). Innovation benefitting exporting: Benefit enhanced by transnational networking. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 16(3), 245–263. https: //doi. org/10. 1504/IJBG. 2016. 075740
Lin, H. , Zeng, S. , Liu, H. , & Li, C. (2016). How do intermediaries drive corporate innovation? A moderated mediating examination. Journal of Business Research, 69(11), 4831–4836. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. jbusres. 2016. 04. 039
Marasco, A. , De Martino, M. , Magnotti, F. , & Morvillo, A. (2018). Collaborative innovation in tourism and hospitality: a systematic review of the literature. In International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (Vol. 30, Issue 6, pp. 2364–2395). Emerald Group Holdings Ltd. https: //doi. org/10. 1108/IJCHM-01-2018-0043
Öberg, C. , & Shih, T. T. Y. (2014). Divergent and convergent logic of firms: Barriers and enablers for development and commercialization of innovations. Industrial Marketing Management, 43(3), 419–428. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/J. INDMARMAN. 2013. 12. 010
Paquin, R. L. , & Howard-Grenville, J. (2013). Blind Dates and Arranged Marriages: Longitudinal Processes of Network Orchestration. Organization Studies, 34(11), 1623–1653. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/0170840612470230
Pinnington, B. , Lyons, A. , & Meehan, J. (2021). Value-independent third-party orchestrators as catalysts of business collaboration. Journal of Management Inquiry, 30(4), 438–453.
Provan, K. G. , & Kenis, P. (2008). Modes of network governance: Structure, management, and effectiveness. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(2), 229–252. https: //doi. org/10. 1093/jopart/mum015
Rampersad, G. , Quester, P. , & Troshani, I. (2010). Managing innovation networks: Exploratory evidence from ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(5), 793–805. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2009. 07. 002
Reypens, C. , Lievens, A. , & Blazevic, V. (2021). Hybrid Orchestration in Multi-stakeholder Innovation Networks: Practices of mobilizing multiple, diverse stakeholders across organizational boundaries. Organization Studies, 42(1), 61–83. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/0170840619868268
Ritala, P. , De Kort, C. , & Gailly, B. (2023). Orchestrating Knowledge Networks: Alter-Oriented Brokering. Journal of Management, 49(3), 1140–1178. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/01492063221086247
Schepis, D. , Purchase, S. , & Butler, B. (2021). Facilitating open innovation processes through network orchestration mechanisms. Industrial Marketing Management, 93, 270–280. https: //doi. org/10. 1016/j. indmarman. 2021. 01. 015
Sørensen, E. , & Torfing, J. (2017). Metagoverning Collaborative Innovation in Governance Networks. American Review of Public Administration, 47(7), 826–839. https: //doi. org/10. 1177/0275074016643181
Tidd, J., & Bessant, J. R. (2020). Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and organizational change. John Wiley & Sons. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Managing_Innovation/5w4LEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0
Yin, R. K. (1998). A case study (A. Pasaian & S. M. Arabi (eds.); 3rd edition). Cultural Research Office [ in Persian].
Journal of Technology Development Management
Volume 11, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 116-153

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 28 October 2023
  • Revise Date: 14 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 14 January 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics