Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a social network-based model for improving knowledge management in multi-level supply chains formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – This approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is also presented. Findings – This proposal improves the establishment of inter-organizational relationships into networks to exchange knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and to create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation. Originality/value – This proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better understanding of knowledge management processes, particularly for supply chains formed by SMEs.

Expósito-Langa M., Molina-Morales F. X. and Capó-Vicedo J. New product development and absorptive capacity in industrial districts: a multidimensional approach, Regional Studies. This research studies to what extent the absorptive capacity of a firm influences its capacity to exploit new opportunities through new products, particularly in a specific context of industrial districts. A multidimensional approach to the absorptive capacity concept is used to distinguish between identification, assimilation, and exploitation of external knowledge. The population of companies belonging to a Spanish textile district is studied. Findings suggest that information and knowledge that a company receives from external sources provide the company with the necessary abilities to innovate. In the present case, the greater the absorptive capacity, the greater the innovation capacity for the company. Expósito-Langa M., Molina-Morales F. X. et Capó-Vicedo J. La mise au point des produits nouveaux et la capacité d’absorption dans les districts industriels: une façon multi-dimensionnelle, Regional Studies. Cette recherche étudie jusqu’à quel point la capacité d’absorption d’une entreprise influe sur sa capacité d’exploiter de nouvelles possibilités par moyen des produits nouveaux, notamment dans le contexte des districts industriels. On applique une façon multidimensionnelle à la notion de capacité d’absorption afin de distinguer entre l’identification, l’assimilation et l’exploitation de la connaissance externe. On étudie le parc d’entreprises implanté sur un district du textile en Espagne. Les résultats laissent supposer que l’information et la connaissance que reçoit une entreprise des sources externes fournissent ce dont elles ont besoin pour innover. Il s’avère de la présente étude que la plus grande est la capacité d’absorption, la plus grande est la capacité d’innovation. Capacité d’absorption Connaissance District industriel Innovation Mise au point des produits nouveaux Expósito-Langa M., Molina-Morales F. X. und Capó-Vicedo J. Die Entwicklung neuer Produkte und die absorptive Kapazität in Industriebezirken: ein multidimensionaler Ansatz, Regional Studies. In diesem Beitrag untersuchen wir, in welchem Ausmaß sich insbesondere im spezifischen Kontext der Industriebezirke die absorptive Kapazität einer Firma auf ihre Kapazität auswirkt, neue Gelegenheiten durch neue Produkte zu nutzen. Zur Unterscheidung zwischen der Identifizierung, der Assimilation und der Nutzung von externem Wissen wird ein multidimensionaler Ansatz für die absorptive Kapazität herangezogen. Untersucht wurden die Firmen eines Textilbezirks in Spanien. Aus den Ergebnissen geht hervor, dass die Informationen und das Wissen, die eine Firma von externen Quellen bezieht, der Firma die nötigen Fähigkeiten zur Innovation verleihen. Im vorliegenden Fall gilt, dass die innovative Kapazität einer Firma um so größer ausfällt, je größer ihre absorptive Kapazität ist. Absorptive Kapazität Wissen Industriebezirk Innovation Entwicklung neuer Produkte Expósito-Langa M., Molina-Morales F. X. y Capó-Vicedo J. Desarrollo de nuevos productos y capacidad de absorción en distritos industriales. Una aproximación multidimensional, Regional Studies. El presente trabajo estudia el efecto de la capacidad de absorción en la empresa sobre el desarrollo de nuevos productos, dentro de un contexto de distrito industrial. Utilizamos una aproximación multidimensional para el concepto de la capacidad de absorción con el objeto de distinguir entre la identificación, asimilación y explotación de conocimiento. Hemos trabajado con empresas pertenecientes al distrito industrial textil español. Los resultados sugieren que las externalidades que la empresa recibe en forma de información y conocimiento de su entorno, junto a las habilidades internas necesarias, benefician su proceso de innovación. De forma particular, el desarrollo de la capacidad de absorción en la empresa favorece su capacidad innovadora. Capacidad de absorción Conocimiento Distrito industrial Innovación Desarrollo de nuevos productos

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a social network-based model for improving knowledge management in multi-level supply chains formed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – This approach uses social network analysis techniques to propose and represent a knowledge network for supply chains. Also, an empirical experience from an exploratory case study in the construction sector is presented. Findings – This proposal improves the establishment of inter-organizational relationships into networks to exchange the knowledge among the companies along the supply chain and create specific knowledge by promoting confidence and motivation. Originality/value – This proposed model is useful for academics and practitioners in supply chain management to gain a better understanding of knowledge management processes, particularly for the supply chains formed by SMEs.

A sense of belonging is a crucial factor determining the identification of the firms in industrial districts. From the social capital perspective, this paper analyses how the structural and relational dimensions of social capital determine a firm’s sense of belonging to the industrial district. The study analyses a sample of 213 companies belonging to two Spanish industrial districts. Results of the survey offer an important contribution to the specific literature by finding the explanatory factors with which to distinguish between groups according to their level of embeddedness in the district