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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2008.04.015 Byline: Mona Weck (a), Kirsimarja Blomqvist (b) Keywords: Inter-organizational relationships; Inventor; Knowledge; Patent; Telecommunications Abstract: This paper examines the role of various inter-organizational relationships in patent development, and how these relationships contribute to patent competitiveness. It takes the perspective of individual inventors and describes how they utilize external knowledge in the development of patents. Based on a case study of a European telecom operator, we found interaction with R&D consortia, suppliers and customers to support inventors in the development of new ideas for patents and in solving related problems. In terms of patent competitiveness, buyer-seller relationships were more valuable for an operator than R&D consortia relationships, as they reduced the market and technology uncertainty related to the patent. Author Affiliation: (a) Helsinki University of Technology, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, PL 5500, 02015 TKK, Finland (b) Professor of Knowledge Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, School of Business & Technology Business Research Center, PO BOX 20, 53851 LAPPEENRANTA, Finland Article History: Received 18 June 2006; Revised 11 January 2008; Accepted 21 April 2008

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2005.09.003 Byline: Risto Seppanen (a), Kirsimarja Blomqvist (a), Sanna Sundqvist (b) Keywords: Inter-organizational trust; Conceptualization; Operationalization; Measurement; Review Abstract: This study reviews empirical research on inter-organizational trust. Since the early 1990s, researchers on inter-organizational relationships have consistently argued that mutual trust is an essential factor of relationship quality and performance. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the advancements and setbacks in current empirical research in terms of measuring inter-organizational trust. This paper analyzes the theoretical approach, the conceptualization and operationalization, and the measurement issues covered in studies on inter-organizational trust conducted from 1990 to 2003. Although trust has emerged as an important factor in inter-organizational relationships, there are still major conceptual and methodological challenges to be met in studying this complex concept. The results show major inconsistencies in conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement of trust. The paper concludes with suggestions for further empirical research. Author Affiliation: (a) Lappeenranta University of Technology, Department of Business Administration and Technology Business Research Center, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland (b) Department of Business Administration and Technology Business Research Center, University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland Article History: Received 6 September 2004; Revised 22 April 2005; Accepted 13 September 2005

In today's knowledge-based global competitive climate, both large and small firms attempt to leverage external knowledge by collaborating with companies with complementary knowledge and resources. Academics and practitioners agree that in the global network era knowledge has become a key resource for continuous innovation and competitiveness. The issues of trust, social capital and the management of intellectual property have also attracted more attention in terms of knowledge creation. However, trust, intellectual property and contracts are seldom discussed simultaneously. This paper focuses on the roles of trust and contracts in asymmetric R&D collaboration. We begin by reviewing the state-of-the-art literature on these roles in interfirm collaboration, and continue by examining the potential for balancing trust and contracting in a case study in which a small firm collaborates with a large, global machinery and equipment supplier. We conclude that an understanding of the roles and dynamics of contracts and trust is critical for R&D collaboration. Contracts as such cannot guarantee successful collaboration, but the contracting process may be used purposefully to increase mutual understanding and learning, and to build up trust. We also offer some managerial recommendations on how to balance trust and contracting in asymmetric R&D collaboration. Keywords: Trust; Contract; Asymmetry; R&D; Collaboration

The networked research and development management approach emphasizes external and internal collaboration networks as key success factors for firms operating in a dynamic environment. The Finnish information technology services company Sonera Corp. is used as an example.