Abstract
Considerable interest has been shown in models of inter-organisational collaboration including clusters, networks and recently supply chains. Arguably effective configurations of enterprises can work together to achieve some form of what is termed ‘collective efficiency’ which enables them to cope with the challenges of the current competitive encironment. This paper addresses one aspect of such collective efficiency: the potential acceleration and improvement of the process of knowledge acquisition and capacity building through shared learning. It explores the concept of formal ‘learning networks’ and reports on UK research into the design and operation of such networks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Argyris, C. and Schon, D. (1970). Organizational Learning. Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, USA.
Bessant, H. and Francis D. (1999). Implementing Learning Networks,Technovation. 19(6/7). 373–383.
Bessant, J. (1998). Advanced Manufacturing Technology. In Cooper, C. and Argyris, C. (eds)Concise Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Management. Blackwell, Oxford.
Best, M. (1990). The New Competition. Polity Press, Oxford.
Chaston, I. (1995). Danish Technological Institute SME Networking Model: Implementing Broker Competencies,Journal of European Industrial Training.19(1).
de Geus, A. (1996). The Living Company. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.
Dodgson, M. (1991). Technological Collaboration and Organisational Learning. Science Policy Research Unit, Working Paper, University of Sussex, Brighton.
Garvin, D. (1993). Building a Learning Organisation,Harvard Business Review. July/August. 78–91.
Grandori, A. and Soda G. (1995). Inter-Firm Networks: Antecedents, Mechanisms and Forms,Organization Studies.16(2). 183–214.
Hedberg, B. (1981). How Organisations Learn and Unlearn. In Nystrom H. and Starbuck, W. (eds)Handbook of Organisation Design. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Hines, P. (1994). Creating World Class Suppliers: Unlocking Mutual Competitive Advantage. Pitman, London.
Hobday, M. (1994). The Limits of Silicon Valley: A Critique of Network Theory,Technology Analysis and Strategic management.6(2). 231–244.
Holti, R. and Whittle, S. (1998). Guide to Developing Effective Learning Networks in Construction. CIRIA/Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, London.
Humphrey, J. and Schmitz, H. (1996). The Triple CApproach to Local Industrial Policy,World Development.24(12). 1859–1877.
Kaplinsky, R., Bessant, J. et al. (1999). Using Supply Chains to Diffuse ‘Best Practice’. Centre for Research in Innovation Management, Brighton.
Kay, J. (1993).Foundations of Corporate Success: How Business Strategies Add Value. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Kolb, D. and Fry, R. (1975). Towards a Theory of Applied Experiential Learning. In Cooper, C. (ed.)Theories of Group Processes. Wiley, Chichester.
Kuhn, T. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.
Lamming, R. (1993). Beyond Partnership. Prentice-Hall, London.
Leonard-Barton, D. (1995). Wellsprings of Knowledge: Building and Sustaining the Sources of Innovation. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.
Macbeth, D. (1989). Strategic Manufacturing. IFS Publications, Kempston.
Marceau, J. (1994). Clusters, Chains and Complexes: Three Approaches to Innovation with a Public Policy Perspective. In Rothwell, R. and Dodgson, M. (eds)The Handbook of Industrial Innovation. Edward Elgar, Aldershot, UK.
McGill, I. and Warner Weil S. (1989). Making Sense of Experiential Learning. Open University Press, London.
Nadvi, K. (1997). The Cutting Edge: Collective Efficiency and International Competitiveness in Pakistan. Institute of Development Studies,
Nadvi, K. and Schmitz, H. (1994). Industrial Clusters in Less Developed Countries: Review of Experiences and Research Agenda. Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton.
Nohria, N. and Eccles, R. (1992). Networks and Organisations: Structure, Form and Action. Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA.
Nonaka, I. (1991). The Knowledge Creating Company,Harvard Business Review. November–December. 96–104.
Oliver, N. and Blakeborough, M. (1998). Innovation Networks: The View from the Inside. In Grieve Smith, J. and Michie, J. (eds)Innovation, Co-operation and Growth. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
Paulk, M., Curtis, B. et al. (1993). Capability Maturity Model for Software. Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA.
Pavitt, K. (1990). What we Know about the Strategic Management of Technology,California Management Review.32. 17–26.
Pedler, M., Boydell T. et al. (1991). The Learning Company: A Strategy for Sustainable Development. McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead, UK.
Piore, M. and Sabel, C. (1982). The Second Industrial Divide. Basic Books, New York.
Polanyi, M. (1967). The Tacit Dimension. Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.
Porter, M. (1997). Location, knowledge creation and competitiveness. Knowledge Capitalism: Competitiveness Re-evaluated. Academy of Management, Boston, MA.
Prahalad, C. and Hamel, G. (1994). Competing for the Future. Harvard University Press, Boston, MA.
Revans, R. (1983). Action Learning 2. G. Wills/IMCB, Buckingham, UK.
Rush, H., Hobday, M. et al. (1996). Technology institutes: Strategies for Best Practice. International Thomson Business Press, London.
Rush, H., Bessant, J. et al. (1997). Strategies for Best Practice in Research and Technology Institutes,Wissenschafts Management.5 (September/October). 251–261.
Sako, M. (1992). Prices, Quality and Trust: Inter-Firm Relations in Britain and Japan,Cambridge Studies in Management.18.
Schein, E. (1992). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.
Schmitz, H. (1995). Collective Efficiency: Growth Path for Small-Scale Industry,Journal of Development Studies.31(4). 529–566.
Schmitz, H. (1997). Collective Efficiency and Increasing Returns. Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton.
Semlinger, K. (1995). Public Support for Firm Networking in Baden-Wurttemburg. In Kaplinsky, R., Coriat, B., den Hertog, F. and Andreason, L. (eds)Europe's Next Step. Frank Cass, London.
Senge, P. (1990). The Fifth Discipline. Doubleday, New York.
Teece, D. (1998). Capturing Value from Knowledge Assets: The New Economy, Markets for Know-How, and Intangible Assets,California Management Review.40(3). 55–79.
Tidd, J. (1997). Complexity, Networks and Learning: Integrative Themes for Research on Innovation Management,International Journal of Innovation Management.1(1). 1–22.
Tidd, J., Bessant, J. et al. (1997). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Organizational and Market Change. Wiley, Chichester.
Williamson, O. (1975). Markets and Hierarchies. Free Press, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bessant, J., Tsekouras, G. Developing learning networks. AI & Soc 15, 82–98 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205739
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205739