Knowledge Networks and Innovation-Driven Collaborations: A Study in Victoria's Biotechnology Industry

In a rapidly changing era, organisations need to be innovative in order to survive, and they need to access external knowledge. This paper examines knowledge networks between organisations by focusing on three main elements of a network: content, knowledge process and the structure of the network. Although the influence of these three elements on innovation has been discussed, the interrelation between these elements has not been explored in detail. The subject of our study is the patent co-authorship networks of biotechnology firms in Victoria, Australia. The data were extracted via the Australia patent database (AusPat) from 2001 to 2010. Using social network analysis and statistical analyses, our study explores the relationship between knowledge processes, knowledge and network structure. This exploratory and ongoing research aims to extend our understanding of knowledge networking and their role in inter-organisational collaboration.

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