ENCOURAGING AND DISCOURAGING FACTORS FOR NETWORKING AMONG TECHNOLOGY FIRMS: A CASE STUDY IN THE TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE FIRMS NETWORK (TIKFN)

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this article is to identify which factors encourage and/or discourage companies to operate as a network, based on the Technology, Innovation and Knowledge Firms Network (TIKFN). Originality/value: Few advances have been made in the literature to understand the technology-based firms’ cooperation networks (TBFs), which have different characteristics, especially in relation to levels of uncertainty and innovation. Design/methodology/approach: It was conducted a Study Case on this paper. Therefore, data were collected through documents, semi structured questionnaires and focal groups to assure data source triangulation. Additionally, data analysis consisted of networks structural analysis, regression analysis and content analysis by frequency and category. Findings: Among the observed results, it is noticeable that congruence of objectives, length of participation and network strengthening represent the encouraging factors for network operation. On the other hand, asymmetric interests, low actors’ engagement and lack of active management are the discouraging factors. In order to assure the credibility of this study, results were evaluated through two focal groups composed by the network managers and participants, thus increasing the authenticity of the study. Results can be considered relevant as they contribute to understand the behavior of technology companies in a network, whose characteristics differ from other interorganizational networks especially regarding uncertainty levels and access to resources and information.