Development of small and medium-sized enterprise horizontal innovation networks: UK agri-food sector study. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McAdam, Maura; McAdam, Rodney; Dunn, Adele; McCall, Clare
• Is Part Of: International small business journal. Volume 32:Number 7(2014)
• Page Start: 830
• Page End: 853
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: agri-food sector -- artisan bakers -- open innovation -- SMEs -- social networks; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.64205
• DOI: 10.1177/0266242613476079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-2426

Abstract

Within the management literature, there is an emergent discourse on horizontal collaboration among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), whereby individual rivalries are overcome by the need for more resources and innovation, leading to increased competitiveness through joint product development. In particular, a number of these horizontal collaborations between SMEs have occurred within the agri-food sector. As a consequence, this article aims to explore the longitudinal development of horizontal innovation networks within an artisan bakers' network as part of the UK SME agri-food sector. An interpretivist research approach was used, whereby the development and evolution of an artisan bakers' horizontal network was studied over a 27-month period. The findings, as summarised in conceptual models which draw upon knowledge-based open innovation and social network constructs, illustrate that a complex three-stage life cycle development occurred within the bakers' horizontal network.