A dual approach to understanding information networks. (1st January 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Assimakopoulos, Dimitris; Macdonald, Stuart
• Is Part Of: International journal of networking and virtual organisations. Volume 1:Number 1(2002)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2002-01-01
• Subjects: formal and informal collaboration -- social and economic networks -- Esprit innovation; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Information networks -- Periodicals; Virtual corporations -- Periodicals; Electronic commerce -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 004.65
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-9503

Abstract

This paper focuses on the interplay between formal interorganisational networks and personal informal networks in IT innovation. It also explores the complementarities between two theoretical perspectives of social and economic networks. The context within which this research is located is Esprit, the European Strategic Programme for Research in IT. The empirical evidence is based on a success story of a UK main contractor in Esprit. The main finding is that formal collaboration networks in Esprit emerge out of informal personal networks, rather than vice versa .