Value Creation in Industrial Networks

This paper deals with value creation in industrial networks. The argument put forward is that value is realised in the exchange between two business actors. However, the antecedents of the value must be search for both beyond the focal exchange of resources, as well as below the same. Therefore we argue that the industrial networks contains two layers. The first is exchange layer and the second is the resource layer. Furthermore, the authors claim that the exchange layer is embedded in the resource layer. In order to find potential value and realise the value of an exchanged resource, a firm must recognise and manage the embeddedness. The arguments are supported by a case from the pulp and paper industry, where a specific paper grade is exchanged between two major European firms within this field.

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