Towards understanding variety in knowledge intensive business services by distinguishing their knowledge bases

被引:109
作者
Pina, Katia [1 ]
Tether, Bruce S. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Manchester, Manchester Inst Innovat Res, Manchester Business Sch, Harold Hankins Bldg,Booth St West, Manchester M15 6PB, Lancs, England
基金
英国经济与社会研究理事会;
关键词
Knowledge bases; Knowledge intensive business services (KIBS); Diversity; Innovation; Content analysis; RADICAL INNOVATION; DESIGN; TAXONOMY; PATTERNS; FIRMS; MODES; BUZZ;
D O I
10.1016/j.respol.2015.10.005
中图分类号
C93 [管理学];
学科分类号
12 ; 1201 ; 1202 ; 120202 ;
摘要
Knowledge intensive business services (KIBS) are known to play a significant role in innovation systems. Past research has however mostly treated KIBS as a homogenous group; it is now time to understand better the variety that exists among KIBS. In this study, we apply a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to examine a dataset of 362 UK-based KIBS firms active in three 'sectors': architecture and engineering consulting; specialist design; and software and IT consulting. By applying content analysis techniques to information drawn from firms' websites, we identify each firm's primary 'knowledge base', be that analytical, synthetic or symbolic knowledge. We then relate the firms' primary knowledge base to their engagement in R&D, design, and innovation, and examine how the 'drivers' of innovation vary between firms with different primary knowledge bases. The paper thereby contributes to the literature, first by identifying empirically 'knowledge bases', then relating these to the variety that exists among KIBS. The paper concludes by highlighting issues for further conceptual, methodological and empirical research. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:401 / 413
页数:13
相关论文
共 82 条
[1]   ORGANIZATION - FROM SUBSTANCE TO IMAGE [J].
ALVESSON, M .
ORGANIZATION STUDIES, 1990, 11 (03) :373-394
[2]  
[Anonymous], POL REP SERV R D INN
[3]  
[Anonymous], 1996, UCINET IV: Network Analysis Software
[4]  
Reference Manual
[5]  
[Anonymous], 2011, PROM INN SERV SECT R
[6]  
Asheim B., 2007, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, V7, P140, DOI 10.1504/IJEIM.2007.012879
[7]  
Asheim B.T., 2005, The Oxford Handbook of Innovation, DOI DOI 10.1093/OXFORDHB/9780199286805.003.0011
[8]   Knowledge bases and regional innovation systems: Comparing Nordic clusters [J].
Asheim, BT ;
Coenen, L .
RESEARCH POLICY, 2005, 34 (08) :1173-1190
[9]   Managing the multiple identities of the corporation [J].
Balmer, JMT ;
Greyser, SA .
CALIFORNIA MANAGEMENT REVIEW, 2002, 44 (03) :72-+
[10]   BUILDING BRIDGES FOR INNOVATION - THE ROLE OF CONSULTANTS IN TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER [J].
BESSANT, J ;
RUSH, H .
RESEARCH POLICY, 1995, 24 (01) :97-114