Network-Independent Partner Selection and the Evolution of Innovation Networks

Joel A. C. Baum, Robin Cowan, Nicolas Jonard · 2010 · Management Science

Summary. This paper argues that firms select innovation partners based on complementary knowledge stocks rather than social capital or network position. The authors build a model where companies form alliances to learn and innovate, requiring compatible knowledge bases. Despite ignoring social network effects entirely, the model reproduces the firm behavior, network structures, and performance patterns documented in empirical alliance research.

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Baum, J. A. C., Cowan, R., & Jonard, N.. (2010). Network-Independent Partner Selection and the Evolution of Innovation Networks. Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229

@article{baum-2010-network-independent-partner-selection-evolution,
  title   = {Network-Independent Partner Selection and the Evolution of Innovation Networks},
  author  = {Joel A. C. Baum and Robin Cowan and Nicolas Jonard},
  journal = {Management Science},
  year    = {2010},
  doi     = {10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Network-Independent Partner Selection and the Evolution of Innovation Networks
AU  - Joel A. C. Baum
AU  - Robin Cowan
AU  - Nicolas Jonard
JO  - Management Science
PY  - 2010
DO  - 10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229
ER  -

Details

DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.1100.1229
Countries: Canada, Netherlands, France
Regions: North America, Europe
Categories: innovation-networks, innovation-theory, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28