No concept is an island : conceptualising (in) the industrial network approach

• Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to inquire into how conceptualising is done in the industrial network approach (INA). Design/methodology/approach: The description and analysis of conceptualising is based on key INA references and an example illustrating the characteristics of conceptualising in individual studies. Findings: The paper concludes that there is an open and interactive way of conceptualising in the INA. The empirical and theoretical grounding achieved through combining concepts in individual empirical studies interplays with conceptual development in the research community over time. Research limitations/implications: Three paradoxes are suggested for further discussion of conceptualising as a key element in theorising in the INA community. Originality/value: By explicating how INA researchers engage in conceptualising both in individual empirical studies and as a community, the authors identify characteristics similar to the empirical phenomena in focus of the research: interaction, combining and heterogeneity of concepts. 

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

s Industrial network approach (INA)

IMP

Concept

Conceptualising

Business network

Interaction

Context

Business Administration

Företagsekonomi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)