Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This thesis investigates the generation of architectural knowledge within digital innovation networks, focusing on the collaborative integration of diverse component knowledge to create new digital products. Architectural knowledge, or the understanding of how individual components are integrated into a coherent whole, is particularly important to align and coordinate actors in interorganizational networks with highly heterogeneous knowledge bases. However, little research has investigated how such knowledge is generated when the innovation involves digital components that are inherently malleable. Through qualitative, longitudinal single-case studies of two distinct networks, this thesis investigates how architectural knowledge is generated across different innovation strategies. Findings indicate that given the malleable nature of digital components, architectural knowledge is highly dynamic, as desirable component interactions, contextual requirements, and new value opportunities may only emerge during the innovation process. Specifically, this thesis offers a refined definition of architectural knowledge in digital innovation as knowledge of how digital and physical components synergistically contribute to overarching architectural goals within specific use contexts to create current and future value opportunities. The required capabilities for innovation networks to generate such knowledge are fundamentally similar to those in non-digital innovation. However, they need to facilitate knowledge integration across more disparate component knowledge domains, higher paces of architectural knowledge refinement, and increased design flexibility. Findings are synthesized in a theoretical framework on architectural knowledge generation in digital innovation networks. The thesis contributes to the literature on digital innovation, innovation networks, and organizational design by explaining knowledge dynamics in digital innovation networks and offering practical implications for actors in these networks and other actors such as supporting funding agencies.
Author: Bumann, Adrian
Institution: Chalmers University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7028679998