Innovation networks in healthcare as mean of knowledge transfer (original) (raw)

Purpose -The present work focuses on the study of healthcare networks as key tool for innovation creation and spreading, by deploying the emergent paradigm of open innovation. During the early development of a technology, when the interactions among component types are unclear (in a state of flux) and, therefore, difficult to codify and freeze, organizations build connections with research centres and universities to explore alternative technological solutions. Once such interactions are better understood, codified, modularized and shared, then more exploitative networks (e.g. with suppliers and customers) may be better suited to exploit the current technology.