Network Structures in Corporate Research and Development: A Multilevel Approach

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Olaf Rank
• Subject Area: Accounting and Finance
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 281640418

Applying a multilevel perspective the project investigates two central questions in the areas of organization and innovation research. Focusing on intra-organizational research and development (RD) the project first examines which network-endogenous processes and organizational characteristics determine the complex collaborative structures between employees and between RD-units. Specific attention is paid to interdependencies emerging between networks at different organizational levels. Therefore, three different kinds of networks are considered: (1) informal collaborative relationships between employees (micro level), (2) formal structures connecting RD units (macro level), and (3) ties relating the two levels (meso level) consisting of the memberships of employees in possibly multiple RD units.Second, the project seeks to shed light on the consequences of collaborative networks for innovation-based performance of the individual employees and their RD-units. Because network structures and performance-based variables are assessed at multiple levels of analysis, we are able to analyze the causal relationships between the micro and macro levels. The project is designed as confirmatory-empirical study. To test the research questions it is intended to gather data in two organizations. Data will be analyzed by applying stochastic models for relational data as well as regression-based techniques particularly designed for multilevel statistical analyses.By examining the two research questions the project enables a fundamental extension of our knowledge of organizational innovation processes by a multilevel perspective thereby contributing substantially to theory development. With respect to organization theory, the project seeks to fill existing gaps in our knowledge on the determinants and consequences of informal organizational structures, especially with respect to multilevel interdependencies. To date, hardly any studies have addressed the interplay of collaborative structures and performance at different organizational levels. From a managerial perspective the examination of our research questions is relevant because generating innovations secures the survival and success of many organizations and thus can be seen as a key competitive advantage. Knowledge about the benefits of specific forms of intra-organizational collaboration can be utilized by firms to enhance their innovation-based performance.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants