Innovation, Collective Action and Network Positioning: A Case from the Automotive Industry

Cooperation in industrial networks is a key issue within the conceptual framework developed by the IMP Group. Despite the existence of some studies, little attention has been paid to collective action phenomena, i.e., cooperative movements involving a significant number of actors. In this regard, the concept of issue-based net is likely to open new avenues in this front. This paper takes one-step further and aims to achieve three objectives. Firstly, to understand the emergence of issue-based nets created to coinnovate in order solve a positioning problem of the actors involved. Secondly, to shed light in the role that capabilities are likely to assume in the collective action process. Thirdly, to expose how networking capabilities may hinder the possibility of turning innovative products into effective business value.