Technology-based business incubators: an exploratory analysis of intra-organizational social networks
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Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
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Artigo de periódico
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Membros da banca
Resumo
Purpose–Technology-based incubators depend on high-level knowledge to constantly meet the demands
of the market. Incubators offer a variety of specialized services to help startups increase the chances of
crossing the valley of death. These services include infrastructure, access to a professional network of
mentors and an intensive support of a consultant team to help with managerial and legal challenges.
Therefore, it is critical to incubators to develop both highly skilled teams of consultants and social
environment that facilitates communication. The purpose of this paper is to understand how innovation-
oriented social networks created within technology-based incubators are shaped.
Design/methodology/approach–Data were collected in five incubators participating connected to
federal universities from the state of Minas Gerais. The network attributes collected in the survey were placed
in a matrix form. The mapping and measurement of the relationships between individuals were developed
using the Ucinet software. Ucinet enables the analysis of attributes (attitudes, behaviors and characteristics)
characterized as relational (contacts, ties and relationships). The software also includes the Netdraw network
visualization tool, which enables the creation of matrices and graphical network maps. The measurements of
centrality, closeness and intermediation were analyzed to assess the intra-organizational social network.
Findings –The results indicate that although the flow of communication does not follow the formal
hierarchy, the interaction between team members to spontaneously exchange ideas, information and
experiences is rare. The workers are so concerned about their timely tasks, that they have few opportunities to
exchange information and knowledge. The coordination is carried out by university professors, who also
perform other tasks (e.g. teaching, research and administration activities) besides those related to the
incubators. The results also suggest that in the technology-based incubators studied, besides dealing in an
innovative environment, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities are still rigid and traditional.
Originality/value–By analyzing the degree of the relationship between team members, the proximity
and the level of intermediation of co-workers, it is possible to see how the incubators workers interact, thereby
identifying the flow of information. This study offers implications for theory and practice. To the theory, this
study adds to the discussion of intra-organizational social network of technology-based companies in the
Brazilian context. To practitioners, this research sheds light on the importance of the social network built
within the organization to promote effective communication and knowledge sharing.
Abstract
Assunto
Incubadoras de empresas, Administração de empresas
Palavras-chave
Innovation, Social network, Business incubation, Technology-based incubator
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Endereço externo
doi:10.1108/inmr-04-2018-0017