Network generation and management: a competitive strategy for businesses and regions

Abstract

Globalization and the correlated diffusion of new information and communication technologies have of late been fostering the growth and appearance of organizational networks built around micro and small businesses units. Such units, conjoined in networks, seem to have enhanced both, their own competitive abilities, as well as their territorial systemic competitiveness. These new structures, and their inherent composing logic evince a breakaway from the classical secluded business unit model, veering towards more cooperative arrangements. Understanding causalities and trends underlying such developments may be a useful contribution, particularly as we focalize and bring to the fore a new emerging social player; the collective entrepreneur. Such a player's thought provoking role is geared to the unleashing and exploitation of sinergies underlying collective action. This paper purports to look into the dynamics and impact of organizational networks insofar as they are is linked to the roles played by collective entrepreneurs as "providers" of social capital. The latter is a vital component for the propping up of collective trust and cooperative action, both essentials for growth processes and socioeconomic development.