Paper info: Comparing Network Pictures of Learning and Non- Learning Networks
Title
Comparing Network Pictures of Learning and Non- Learning Networks
Authors
Andrea Gelei
Place of Publication
The paper was published at the 27th IMP-conference in Glasgow, Scotland in 2011.
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Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to contribute to a deeper understanding of learning networks. The research conducted has two phases applying different research methodologies. First, an empirical analysis of learning relationships has been carried out using a theoretical framework derived from the theory of learning organizations and a database of a comprehensive survey. This analysis revealed the existence of companies active in learning and another operating in non learning supply chains. The first is called learning and the second non learning supply chain. In the second step of the research two case study analyses will be conducted. These case studies aim at mapping and comparing network pictures of a company belonging to learning supply chain and that of another firm representing the non learning cluster.
In the first step of the research program we aim at developing and testing a conceptual framework for learning relationships and learning supply chains and test it empirically. The framework proposed is based on Garvin‟s work (2008) describing basic features of a learning organization. In the paper we looked for supply chain relationships having a supportive learning environment in its relationships, a systematic knowledge management between cooperating parties and where the focal company has a behavior that reinforces learning between cooperating parties. Those triadic supply chains were interpreted as learning supply chain, which possessed two learning relationships of the same focal company, one on the focal firm‟s supply and another on its customer side. Methodology: The research was part of a comprehensive research program called “In global competition – competitiveness of the Hungarian enterprise sector” at the Competitiveness Research Centre of Corvinus University of Budapest and was carried out at the Competitiveness Research Center in 2009. We gathered our filled questionnaire from 317 companies (13% response rate). The database developed using this questionnaire was investigated through multivariate statistical analyses using SPSS 14.0.
Keywords: learning relationship, learning network, network picture
In the first step of the research program we aim at developing and testing a conceptual framework for learning relationships and learning supply chains and test it empirically. The framework proposed is based on Garvin‟s work (2008) describing basic features of a learning organization. In the paper we looked for supply chain relationships having a supportive learning environment in its relationships, a systematic knowledge management between cooperating parties and where the focal company has a behavior that reinforces learning between cooperating parties. Those triadic supply chains were interpreted as learning supply chain, which possessed two learning relationships of the same focal company, one on the focal firm‟s supply and another on its customer side. Methodology: The research was part of a comprehensive research program called “In global competition – competitiveness of the Hungarian enterprise sector” at the Competitiveness Research Centre of Corvinus University of Budapest and was carried out at the Competitiveness Research Center in 2009. We gathered our filled questionnaire from 317 companies (13% response rate). The database developed using this questionnaire was investigated through multivariate statistical analyses using SPSS 14.0.
Keywords: learning relationship, learning network, network picture