Informal Networking and Industrial Life Cycles

Modern industrial development processes of new technologies are characterized by an increasing complexity and interdependence of the different actors combining different knowledge assets. Today, hardly any innovation can be assigned to one specific technological field. Also, the sciences are becoming increasingly differentiated and specialized, thus enhancing the necessity of horizontal and vertical knowledge transfer between the actors of innovation processes. In this context, where single actors and even single firms are unable to keep pace with technological progress, the idea of collective invention becomes obvious.