Helge Svare, Ph.D., Research Professor, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Work Research Institute, P.O. Box 4, St. Olavs plass, N-0130 OSLO, Norway, tel. +47 97758452, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Anne Haugen Gausdal, Ph.D., Professor, University College of Southeast Norway, Department of Maritime operations (Campus Vestfold D3-72), P.O. Box 235, N-3603 Kongsberg, tel. +47 48069998, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Abstract

The number of publicly funded initiatives to establish or strengthen networks and clusters, in order to enhance innovation, has been increasing. Returns on such investments vary, and the aim of this study is to explore to what extent the variation in benefits for firms participating in networks or clusters can be explained by their dynamic capabilities (DC). Based on survey data from five Norwegian networks, the results suggest that firms with higher DC are more successful in harvesting the potential benefits of being member of a network.

Keywords: innovation networks; Regional Innovation Network Organizations (RINOs); network benefits; network events; innovation; dynamic capabilities.