Networking for innovation: an analysis of research on social networks, social capital, and innovation

Research on networks and innovation has experienced a rapid growth in social sciences since the beginning of the century. The large production of papers on networks and innovation impedes making single statements, and a simple state-of-the-art would probably overlook a great number of publications. The present study conducts a meta-analysis of the scientific production on networks and innovation published in social science journals indexed by Web of Science. We identity hot topics, influential authors and theories, main disciplines, contributing institutions, and through bibliographic coupling (papers using similar references) and network analysis, we present insights from the intellectual structure of this field of research. Findings reveal (1) while management studies keep this field alive, it is in sociology that the bases of knowledge arise; and (2) a structural perspective dominates the field where network properties and relational resources influence innovative behaviors.