Abstract: This paper is based on the argument that while alliance portfolios provide a fast response to changing market conditions, the very ability to form and manage an alliance portfolio is affected by market conditions. The relationship between market conditions and alliance portfolios can be particularly important when markets transition from nascent to growth stage, and the degree of uncertainty and competition changes rapidly. In these environments, alliance portfolios are critical for firm survival, but forming and managing them may provide a challenge, particularly for entrepreneurial firms with limited resources.To explore how market conditions in nascent and growth stage markets affect the alliance portfolios of entrepreneurial firms, I traced 6 wireless gaming start-ups as their market transitioned from nascent to growth stage.

Abstract: Prior research has underemphasized the role of social construction in the emergence of inter-organizational networks. I examine whether intra-organizational legitimacy processes affect inter-organizational partner selection and network structure. Specifically, I hypothesize that increased cultural heterogeneity within an organization will be associated with increased use of formal and market-based controls, as well as a greater emphasis placed on partner-status. I argue that these effects are due to the need for organizations to establish internal legitimacy with respect to their external network ties. These hypotheses are supported through an examination of municipal bond underwritings, wherein local governments in the United States retain investment banking firms in order to issue debt obligations.

Abstract: This paper identifies the overreaching networking mechanisms professionals use across different career stages from junior associate to partner level. Differentiating between high agency and low agency professionals we find that high agency professionals skilfully seek out specific organisational actors at each career stage and found contacts that in hindsight prove to become imprinting ties providing different returns at distinct career stages. We also show that these two network building mechanisms are based on professionals’ respective capacity to actively construct similarities between themselves and their network contacts. The paper discusses the career implications and the role of homophily for effective network building.

Abstract: The study analyses the collaborative practices that emerge from the evolution path of small-firm networks (SFN). We followed a qualitative and exploratory approach to reach this goal. Data were collected by interviewing representatives of four Brazilian SFNs, in 2009 and 2013. The results describe four collaborative practices developed by the SFNs, related to strategy, structure, process and coordination. The study also shows that emergent goals demand emergent collaboration practices to support them. The cases suggest that SFNs establish new collaboration practices as members interact along the network evolution path. As a managerial contribution, the paper describes a set of collaborative practices employed by SFNs that may generate insights to network managers and help business networks to consolidate in market.

Abstract: Actors shape network structures by building bridging ties across network communities. Do they build such ties in search for random brokerage opportunities or by purposefully imitating the networking behaviors of other individuals? Using data on collaboration networks in the French television game show industry between 1998 and 2012, we show that individuals develop more bridging ties when they are connected to prominent brokers—individuals who have many bridging ties of their own. This effect is positively moderated by the broker’s performance and negatively moderated by his or her status. Additional analyses show that bridging ties ultimately bring benefits to their holders only if their job function requires access to diverse information. These findings suggest that individuals do not always understand the benefits of brokerage: some of them build bridging ties to imitate prominent brokers even when these ties have no impact on their own performance.

Abstract: Inter-organizational networks – such as multi-party alliances and research consortia – are valuable governance forms that promote technological advancement, learning, and knowledge sharing among organizations. Since the success of these forms is predicated upon the willingness of partners to commit resources to the joint endeavor, in this paper we analyze the relationship between partners’ tendency to withhold effort (i.e. free-riding) and their perceptions of the inter-organizational network. Specifically, we argue that free-riding in inter-organizational networks is negatively related to partners’ perceptions of peer organizations’ efforts; we also posit a U-shaped relationship between partners’ perceptions of overall network effectiveness and their level of effort withholding, due to reputational and marginal efficiency considerations. Results from our analysis of a major research consortium provide support for our hypotheses.