Resource and supplier interaction in network innovation governance: The case of innovating at Unilever

Abstract

A core challenge of network innovation is the issue of how to govern resource interactions in networks. In this paper, we suggest that Alderson’s (1957) model of organised behaviour systems is a valuable way of understanding the governance of resource interactions in selected sets of interacting suppliers. We explore a longitudinal case involving Unilever and parts of its supplier network and apply the extended case method to understand and explore network innovation governance. Alderson’s framework is used to analyse the assignment and assortment processes for governing network innovation through centralised space and time interactions.