What makes networks innovative? A configurational analysis of 18 collaborative innovation cases

Abstract

Collaborative innovation has received substantial scholarly attention, but we still know little about its underlying mechanisms. Using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), this study examines how four conditions, namely, network initiation by key stakeholders, high network diversity, extensive network prehistory, and highly engaged network process, combine with one another to lead to a high/low level of collaborative innovation. Our study contributes to the governance and policy literature through uncovering the mechanisms for collaborative innovation. Specifically, it has identified three generic mechanisms that lead to a high level of collaborative innovation: the urgency-based mechanism, the interdependence-based mechanism, and the trust-based mechanism.