Social networks matter in the innovation processes of young and small firms, since lsquo;innovation does not exist in a vacuum (Van De Ven, 1986: 601).' The contacts a firm has could both generate advantages for further innovation and growth, and disadvantages leading to inertia and stagnation....

Purpose – Small firms rely on a variety of network partners, and in various roles, to initiate and implement innovations. While past typologies of innovation networking were defined at the level of firms or industries, the purpose of this paper is to develop a typology at the level of...