Relational Capabilities to Leverage New Knowledge: Managing Directors' Perceptions in UK and Portugal Old Industrial Regions

Literaturnachweis - Detailanzeige

Trefferliste

Autor/in	Martins, Jorge Tiago
Titel	Relational Capabilities to Leverage New Knowledge: Managing Directors' Perceptions in UK and Portugal Old Industrial Regions
Quelle	In: Learning Organization, 23 (2016) 6, S.398-414 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0969-6474
DOI	10.1108/TLO-03-2016-0022
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Geographic Regions; Industry; School Business Relationship; Innovation; Qualitative Research; Case Studies; Semi Structured Interviews; Administrators; Administrator Attitudes; Small Businesses; Engineering; Metallurgy; Clothing; Manufacturing Industry; Meetings; Public Relations; Research and Development; Technology Transfer; Competence; Specialization; Knowledge Management; United Kingdom; Portugal + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Industrie; Qualitative Forschung; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Kleingewerbe; Maschinenbau; Hüttenwesen; Kleidung; Fertigungswirtschaft; Produzierendes Gewerbe; Meeting; Tagung; Public relation work; Öffentlichkeitsarbeit; Forschung und Entwicklung; Technologietransfer; Kompetenz; Arbeitsteilige Spezialisierung; Wissensmanagement; Großbritannien
Abstract	Purpose: Focusing on the specific context of two European old industrial regions--South Yorkshire (UK) and North Region of Portugal--this paper aims to identify and conceptualise a set of relational capabilities that business leaders perceive to play a key role in industrial rejuvenation. Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative research design operationalised via case studies was followed for the empirical analysis. Data collection was developed through in-depth interviews with managing directors in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) belonging to the metal and engineering industry and the textile and footwear sectors in the two old industrial regions. Data analysis followed the techniques of data categorisation, within case-analysis and cross-case analysis. Findings: The study identifies relational capabilities that firms use to identify, access and leverage new knowledge: frequent meetings with customers; frequent meetings with suppliers; dialogue with government to influence policy that encourages research and technology transfer; partnership actions for the commercialisation of products and services; active membership with sector associations; immersion in science and technological parks; intentionally establishing links with entrepreneurship-supporting entities; human resources development by technical training institutions; and systematic links with the University. The relational capabilities identified require structured communication processes and alliance management practices to enable and support absorptive capacity and learning in inter-organisational networks. Practical Implications: The relational capabilities identified can help position regions in specific markets and value chains, contribute to improving regions' internal and external connections and assist in combining regions' strengths to create industrial capability in high-growth-potential areas. Originality/Value: This paper highlights the role of relational capabilities as a way to secure access to knowledge and competencies needed for firms' innovation and avoidance of competency traps. This is particularly relevant in the context of European smart specialisation policy, where key regional stakeholders collectively engage in the identification of areas of competitive strength, enhanced coordination and strategic alignment of resources. The study is not without limitations, as findings are based on case studies of SMEs operating in the manufacturing industry and the analysis of relational capabilities is focused on knowledge novelty. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emeraldinsight.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01