A Quasi-philosophical Approach to the Industrial Network Approach (original) (raw)
Related papers
Towards an institutional theory of the dynamics of industrial networks
Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 2001
The study of interorganisationalcooperation has gained increased currency. An important empirical and conceptual contribution in this field owes much to the network approach. The picture provided by the network approach contrasts with other models that regard cooperation as a mere contractual and legal inter-corporate connection. Whilst accepting the existence of formal types of collaborative arrangements, the network approach emphasises the importance of informal and emergent cooperation. This paper is an attempt to extend the current perspective by focusing on interorganisational cooperation in the context of collective action phenomena. These usually involve a large number of actors concerned with the formulation of market rules, the prevention of instability and disorder and, in general, the promotion or defence of their mutual interests. The paper offers an institutional explanation of why and how collective actions emerge and influence the shape and evolution of industrial networks.
2011
Networks have been a hot topic in recent years, not only in mainstream media but also in academic literature. The sociological interest in industrial networks is one of multiple levels and surely stems from the question if networks can benefit society. It was the purpose of this paper to research the emergence of the study of networks or industrial networks and validate, using articles concerned with the matter, if they are in fact a new concept in business or not. Considering the review of literature, one can conclude that by no means are networks in business a novelty but a logical consequence of human relationships in general and also that network structures have been present long before their discovery through academia, only not identified as such. It was found that the previous definition of market structures in business, while maneuvering between the two extremes of hierarchy and a free market, may have been too rigid and networks provided an excellent alternative term. It can further be suggested that the study of networks should focus on exchange mechanisms, cultural differences and emotional involvement as industrial networks may differ in their degrees of freedom, scale and purpose but always rely on reciprocity, as do all human relationships.
Industrial networks of the future: A critical commentary on research and practice
Operations and Global …, 2005
Academia has followed the interest by companies in establishing industrial networks by studying aspects such as social interaction and contractual relationships. But what patterns underlie the emergence of industrial networks and what support should research provide for practitioners? Firstly, it seems that manufacturing is becoming a commodity rather than a unique capability, which accounts especially for low-technology approaches in downstream parts of the network, for example in assembly operations. Secondly, the increased tendency to specialize forces other parts of industrial networks to introduce advanced manufacturing technologies for niche markets. Thirdly, the capital market for investments in capacity and the trade in manufacturing as a commodity dominates resource allocation to a larger extent. Fourthly, there will be a continuous move toward more loosely connected entities forming manufacturing networks. More traditional concepts, like keiretsu and chaibol networks, do not sufficiently support this transition. Research should address these fundamental challenges to prepare for the industrial networks of 2020 and beyond.
The purpose of our paper is to 'open the IMP network' to alternative methods in order to contribute to a better understanding of business markets. We draw upon hermeneutic approaches from the fields of discursive social psychology and social linguistics, underpinned by a social constructionist worldview of language. Such approaches are taken in order to illuminate the 'sense-making' processes of individual network actors. In taking the 'linguistic turn', however, this paper does not diminish the contribution of the IMP literature; rather it sets out to augment it through a discourse analytic approach.
2009
In the theoretical framework proposed by Hakansson and Snehota (1995) three layers of substance in relationships were introduced each related to different types of economic consequences. However, the relation between the layers has not been discussed in detail. Thus, the purpose of this paper is (1) to make the 'boundary' between the activity layer and the resource layer in the framework a little more clear, (2) to make the relation between these two layers and different types of economic consequences (i.e. efficiency and effectiveness) more explicit, and (3) to identify the parameters of activities and resources which are most central in the two different layers, respectively. 1 Corresponding author: Elsebeth Holmen, Southern Denmark Business School, Grundtvigs All<§ 150, DK-6400 S0NDERBORG (Phone +45 7932 1230, Fax + 45 7932 1292, E-mail holmen@sb.hhs.dk). 312 f ip H* IMP Annual Conference
Industrial Marketing Management, 2020
The industrial network literature contains underlying assumptions about the nature of business relationships. We use change as a vehicle to unearth these assumptions and conduct a systematic review of change in business relationships in the industrial network literature. We identify three approaches to business relationships: agency, structure and practice. Our research contributes to the industrial network literature by explicating how change in business relationships is derived implicitly from what people do, the surrounding structures, or the logic underlying their action. This research helps provide construct clarity by elaborating the key assumptions and key constructs of the three approaches as well their implications for business relationships research.
Industrial networks of the future: review of research and practice
2009
Abstract Academic researchers have followed closely the interest of companies in establishing industrial networks by studying aspects such as social interaction and contractual relationships. But what patterns underlie the emergence of industrial networks and what support should research provide for practitioners?
The division of labour and Industrial Networks
17th IMP Conference. Oslo, Norway, 2001
This paper deals with the problem of division of labour and industrial development from a network perspective. Our starting point is seminal insights into how the process of the division of labour creates a series of connected qualitative and quantitative changes in industrial structures. Our main argument is that these qualitative and quantitative changes can be reframed as a cascade of connected learning processes that take place inside as well as across firm boundaries. In particular, we stress how business relationships create a useful platform for teaching and learning different sets of complementary capabilities. We illustrate these arguments with a case study of the introduction of new technology in the Danish printing industry and how one company took advantage of this technology to restructure its internal processes and business relationships.
In response to the ongoing debate in industrial network (IMP) literature regarding the manageability of networks, the present paper explores how a critical realist epistemology can facilitate a more multilayered explanation of collective change. In line with recent literature, we combine IMP with neo-institutional theory and identify the cognitive and normative boundary conditions for unmanaged change in networks. As such, we make a mid-range contribution to IMP by delineating structural antecedents of its interface with institutional entrepreneurship in explaining collective change in networks. The mechanisms underlying the transition from emergent to intentional change are illustrated with a case study describing difficulties experienced by Dutch steel wholesalers in realigning their business strategy with market conditions even when it is necessitated by upstream and downstream pressures. This paper is one of few examples of critical realist case-study research to guide scholars on how to translate this epistemological orientation into methodological choices.