Connecting Capabilities through Technological Centres

Recent perspectives on a capabilities view of the firm often recognize the need for firms to develop an external organization. Within the IMP tradition, it is recognized that the external organization may include economic and non-economic exchange relationships. However, greater emphasis is given to the former. The relevance of relationships for firms and for industries can be linked to their role in the generation and diffusion of knowledge. In this paper we will discuss the potential role of technological centres (TC’s) as part of firms’ external organizations and emphasize TC’s role in connecting economic and non-economic exchange relationships. It is further suggested that the motives and the benefits perceived by firms and, in general, the relevance of sharing experiences within these contexts should be seen in the wider context of firms’ specific and idiosyncratic trajectories.