Enhancing the innovativeness of food SMEs through the management of strategic network behaviour and network learning performance

Strategic network learning is of crucial importance for innovation as it enables the food company to expand its resource base and to absorb new trends and technologies. It is observed that food SMEs often fail in establishing a strategic and efficient network. A broad definition of networks is applied, including networking with competitors, suppliers, knowledge centres and a variety of other actors through formal and informal linkages. The project combines scientific research with developing network learning tools of practical use to food SMEs, network organisations and policy makers. This project combines research actions at two levels: (a) the focal company level, investigating how attitudes and preferences determine the food SME’s individual network behaviour in order to achieve business objectives. (b) The network level, investigating the functioning of the network as a whole and its effect on innovation and economic growth and how network stakeholders can make the network better performing. Research activities take three steps: (1) profound analysis of success factors and barriers for network learning. Particular focus is on the relationship between informal and formal networking and global networks. (2) Network behaviour is analysed at the focal company level, providing insight in network characteristics affecting innovation and SMEs’ preferences for different network designs. (3) A prototype tool is developed and tested to assess performance of the network at network level. In the development stage of the project, the network learning toolbox will be developed, market tested and launched. It consists of a set of instruments to enhance the capacity of SMEs, network organizations and policy makers to improve network learning based on strategic network management. The strength of the toolbox lies in the confrontation of our instruments with the business perspective and two-stage testing within SMEs and network organizations.