Knowledge networks in business – Concepts, evidence, lessons for management and policymaking

The paper focuses on inter-organisational knowledge networks (KNs), defined as formal or informal relationships between companies and/or other players to share knowledge, solve problems, and exploit ideas with the purpose to implement a common business project. KNs are increasingly important for economic development: by connecting with “the big businesses”, even small or local companies can exploit opportunities that would be hard to achieve. After analysing notions and classifications of KNs in business, the paper summarises the results of a case-study research on KNs in distinct sectors and provides lessons for management and policy-making.