Public defence Johannes Boshuizen

The PhD research of Johannes Boshuizen confirms that inter-firm networks positively influence individual firm performance

The advantage of social networks among firms is frequently claimed, but rarely empirically demonstrated. It is generally assumed that networks not only have an advantage for individual firms, but also for the regional economy as a whole. Localized knowledge spillovers are seen as the basis of these gains. This dissertation investigates whether the assumed role of networks among firms, as ‘tubes’ through which knowledge spills over and flows, is indeed the case. The starting point in this study is the idea that the social capital embodied in these networks strengthens firms with all kinds of knowledge that are beneficial for their development.

Both formal and informal networks are used in this study as indicators. A large-scale analysis of cooperative patents within the Netherlands shows that this formal type of cooperation occurs much less frequently than widely assumed and, further, that they appear to have no effect on the performance of high-tech firms.

The analysis of business association networks, on a larger scale than previous studies, confirms that informal inter-firm networks are one of the micro-foundations of knowledge spillovers. However, their effects appear to be limited to individual firms and not to extend to regions as a whole. This implies that only individual firms benefit from participation in business associations. The results of this study thus provide new insights into the mechanisms behind knowledge spillovers as drivers of a regional economy.

Promotors are: Prof.dr. Hans J.Th.A. Bressers (promotor), Prof.dr. Anne Van der Veen (co-promotor), and Dr. Peter A.Th.M. Geurts (assistant promotor).

Johannes Boshuizen will defend his dissertation ‘JOIN THE CLUB! - Knowledge Spillovers and the Influence of Social Networks on Firm Performance’ on Friday 15^th of May 2009 at 14.45 in building De Spiegel of the University of Twente.

For more information or a copy of the dissertation, please contact Johannes Boshuizen: j.boshuizen@utwente.nl.

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<< MB Home Home News & Events News Archive Staff Education Research Studies & Reports (pdf) Publication List Partners Contact Sitemap Search	News Archive Public defence Johannes Boshuizen The PhD research of Johannes Boshuizen confirms that inter-firm networks positively influence individual firm performance The advantage of social networks among firms is frequently claimed, but rarely empirically demonstrated. It is generally assumed that networks not only have an advantage for individual firms, but also for the regional economy as a whole. Localized knowledge spillovers are seen as the basis of these gains. This dissertation investigates whether the assumed role of networks among firms, as ‘tubes’ through which knowledge spills over and flows, is indeed the case. The starting point in this study is the idea that the social capital embodied in these networks strengthens firms with all kinds of knowledge that are beneficial for their development. Both formal and informal networks are used in this study as indicators. A large-scale analysis of cooperative patents within the Netherlands shows that this formal type of cooperation occurs much less frequently than widely assumed and, further, that they appear to have no effect on the performance of high-tech firms. The analysis of business association networks, on a larger scale than previous studies, confirms that informal inter-firm networks are one of the micro-foundations of knowledge spillovers. However, their effects appear to be limited to individual firms and not to extend to regions as a whole. This implies that only individual firms benefit from participation in business associations. The results of this study thus provide new insights into the mechanisms behind knowledge spillovers as drivers of a regional economy. Promotors are: Prof.dr. Hans J.Th.A. Bressers (promotor), Prof.dr. Anne Van der Veen (co-promotor), and Dr. Peter A.Th.M. Geurts (assistant promotor). Johannes Boshuizen will defend his dissertation ‘JOIN THE CLUB! - Knowledge Spillovers and the Influence of Social Networks on Firm Performance’ on Friday 15^th of May 2009 at 14.45 in building De Spiegel of the University of Twente. For more information or a copy of the dissertation, please contact Johannes Boshuizen: j.boshuizen@utwente.nl.