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The Contribution of KIBS to Innovation and Competitiveness in Business Networks

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Cooperative and Networking Strategies in Small Business

Part of the book series: Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management ((ITKM))

Abstract

This chapter seeks to analyse, based on a quantitative approach, the relationship between knowledge, cooperation and co-creation of innovation through knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and other organisations (i.e. clients, higher education institutions [HEIs] and other firms/institutions). The main findings suggest, given the context of KIBS firms, that co-creation of innovation is greatly influenced by cooperation with HEIs (i.e. co-creation of technological innovation) and knowledge codification (i.e. co-creation of non-technological innovation). The results have conceptual implications—further deepening the understanding of co-creation processes in innovation research—and practical implications—facilitating decision-making processes in innovation based on cooperation, networks and the strategic management of knowledge.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the FEDER component of the European Structural and Investment Funds, through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalisation Programme’s (COMPETE 2020) Project No. 006971 (UID/SOC/04011) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology’s (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) UID/SOC/04011/2013 Project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polytechnic of Porto, School of Technology and Management, and Center for Research and Innovation in Business Sciences and Information Systems (CIICESI), Felgueiras, Portugal

    Alexandra M. Braga, Vitor L. Braga & Aldina I. Correia

  2. Center for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development (CETRAD), Vila Real, Portugal

    Alexandra M. Braga & Vitor L. Braga

  3. University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro and Center for Training and Integrated Research in ASAL Development (CETRAD), Vila Real, Portugal

    Carla S. Marques

  4. University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal and Center for Advanced Studies in Management and Economics (CEFAGE), Évora, Portugal

    Zélia M. Serrasqueiro

Authors
  1. Alexandra M. Braga
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  2. Carla S. Marques
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  3. Zélia M. Serrasqueiro
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  4. Vitor L. Braga
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  5. Aldina I. Correia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexandra M. Braga .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Organizacón de Empresas, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain

    Marta Peris-Ortiz

  2. Department of Management and Economics, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

    João J. Ferreira

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Braga, A.M., Marques, C.S., Serrasqueiro, Z.M., Braga, V.L., Correia, A.I. (2017). The Contribution of KIBS to Innovation and Competitiveness in Business Networks. In: Peris-Ortiz, M., Ferreira, J. (eds) Cooperative and Networking Strategies in Small Business. Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44509-0_5

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