Interaction in asset-based value creation within innovation networks : the case of software industry

Knowledge management is a new academic discipline that has been growing during the past decade but is still in its embryonic stage with much potential left. What makes knowledge management an attractive research field is its multi-discipline perspective. In the knowledge management the context is important because the value of an organization’s knowledge is contextbased. In this research the context are the innovation networks within the software industry and thus besides knowledge management the research contributes to the software business literature. The aim of this study was to get an understanding about the interaction the in asset-based value creation within innovation networks. This was done by examining the effects of the interaction in asset development and deployment in innovation networks, where activities are related to research, development and innovation collaboration. This was studied against the theoretical framework that was developed in this research based on earlier studies. This study shows that in the examined research context actors from outside of the software industry have a direct effect on both asset development and deployment based on their funding requirements and aims. The study shows that in this wider environment trust, openness and mutual benefits are important factors of the interaction atmosphere, regarding where funding is targeted and where the actual work is done. This study shows the importance of the interaction framework as a motivator and an entity that enables direct benefits to participating actors from their interaction and collaboration. It also shows that some of the episodes where interactions occur need to be regular, on-going and have a certain rhythm. As a result of this research a framework of interaction in the asset-based value creation in innovation networks was created. It shows how funding mechanisms affect the asset development and deployment, as well as that some episodes where interactions occur are especially important, because they limit or support value creation. Moreover, the role, contributions, aims and motivations of actors are seemingly different within these episodes.