The transformation between exploration and exploitation applied to inventors of packaging innovations

While the inventor is often the driver of an invention in the early stages, he/she needs to move between different social networks for knowledge in order to create and capture value. The main objective of this research is to propose a literature-based framework based on innovation network theory and complemented with C-K theory, in order to analyze the invention/innovation process of inventors and the product concepts in a packaging industry context. Empirical input from three case studies of packaging inventions and their inventors is used to elaborate the suggested framework.The article identifies important gaps in the literature of innovation networks. This is addressed through a theoretical framework based on network theories, complemented with C-K theory for the product design level. The strength-of-ties dimension of the theoretical framework suggests, in agreement with the mainstream literature and the cases presented, that weak ties are required to access the knowledge related to exploration networks and strong ties are required to utilize the knowledge in the exploitation network. The transformation network is an intermediate step acting as a bridge where entrepreneurs can find required knowledge. The transformation network is also an intermediate step where entrepreneurs find financing and companies interested in commercializing inventions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Redes de transformação do processo de inovação: o caminho entre a descoberta e a comercialização

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O papel das redes de transformação no processo de inovação: estudos de caso sobre a descoberta e a comercialização da inovação

Innovation is widely recognized as important. In addition, in this context, innovation networks have gained importance in academic studies, since an organization alone, does not always have access to all necessary resources. Gobbo Junior and Olsson (2010) proposed a model of network innovation whereby the transformation networks would be the linking structures between exploration and exploitation networks. In this context, this paper presents two case studies of innovation networks, aiming to increase the understanding on transformation networks. The objective was to understand how they interconnect exploration and exploitation networks; the main actors present in this interface; and to evaluate whether these actors can act as agents, to accelerate the innovation process. It was possible to verify how the transformation networks interconnect exploration and exploitation, and identify the practices and their main actors.

Redes de inovação: mapeamento de inventores de patentes em uma empresa do setor de cosméticos

This article aims to identify patterns in the organization of innovation network by mapping the network inventors of a cosmetics company and identifying ways to promote innovation capacity through interconnectivity. The research was conducted through case study methods, and, for this, inventors mappings were made, based on the records of patents previously surveyed, taking into consideration the linkage (internal or external) of each inventor with the company and also the amount of patent citations. It was identified higher hierarchy in networks with the presence of collaborators externals to the company as well as a possible higher technological content, since the amount of citations was higher compared to other networks. It is verified, finally, that inventors mappings (although a patent is not the only measuring factor of innovation) can identify key features to help a better management of innovation.