Innovation networking

The purpose of this article is to identify the position and benefits of networking in increasing innovation capability, so that in addition to promoting studies related to network and innovation fields, the position and impact of various variables of networks and their impact on innovation capability can be determined from this approach. Therefore, in the present research, the impact of network dimensions on the innovation capability of existing organizations in non-governmental organizations has been identified. In this regard, the studies and studies conducted in this field were reviewed and the basic concepts were defined and explained. In this regard, various theories about networking and innovation, the areas of application and use of networking and innovation, the benefits of using networks and networking in increasing innovation were also examined and explained. In the end, practical solutions were proposed according to the conducted studies and the extracted model. In providing a conceptual framework for analyzing the relationship between networking and innovation capability, various variables and dimensions of networks and areas of innovation were discussed, and finally, two components of network size and structure related to networks and innovation capability were emphasized in the field of innovation. Looking at the factors affecting the relationship between the specialized network and innovation, we realize that various factors have an effect on this relationship, which in this conceptual framework and according to the approach of non-governmental organizations, the factor of trust was placed as a moderating variable.

Today, the key feature of the business environment is rapid and disruptive changes. Industrial and service companies interact with a competitive environment whose main characteristics are complexity, dynamism and unpredictability (Akur and Bititsi, 2003). Due to rapid changes in technology and increasing competition, the economic base of the business environment has undergone major changes. The short life cycle of new products, the existence of products with the same platform but with different and diverse capabilities and functions, the continuous supply of new generations of advanced products and services. . . The sign of these changes is fast and disruptive. Porter (2001) states that in the face of these continuous and extensive changes, companies must be able to simultaneously create and commercialize a stream of new products and processes that expand the field of technology.
All the above features show that a quick, appropriate and simultaneous response to these developments and the creation of suitable and appropriate innovation is not only an unavoidable necessity but also a vital factor in the survival, growth and development of organizations, industries and businesses. Studies conducted in various industries have identified the effective relationship between innovation and company performance.
This concept uses some effective methods such as creating and using networking including human networks, social networks, inter-organizational networks, elite networks and so on. . . It has had a significant growth and development and all these cases clarify the role and importance of human, entrepreneurial, elite and specialized networks on innovation, that is why Peter Drucker considers innovation to be a special tool in the hands of entrepreneurs.
According to Kalio et al. (2010), innovation occurs increasingly in networks. Of course, networks that have formed actors with different backgrounds (Kalio et al., 2010). Informal networks share knowledge in a creative way, so they are important in the innovations made in the organization (Bjork et al. Magnusson, 2009
According to Ahuja (2000), networking behavior significantly improves the innovation output and competitiveness of companies in a wide range of industries. Networking can lead to positive innovation outputs. A network can bring many benefits to companies. By using the network, companies can increase the amount of achieving goals, share the amount of existing risk and reduce costs. Innovation also requires the convergence of many sources of knowledge and skills, and this is usually possible in the form of creating a network. Lafort, 2011
Networking promotes and develops innovation within various companies, institutions and organizations, both private and public, economic or non-profit, as well as non-governmental organizations. For example, at the institutional level, innovation systems play an important role in the diffusion of innovations and through the formation of networking activities. At the organizational level, the involvement of managers and low-level employees with professional and industrial networks causes innovation to spread. More involvement of people in this matter increases the probability of adopting newer innovations in the companies where they operate.

In non-profit organizations and non-governmental organizations, which are based on extensive and deep communication between the organization and the public and organizations, networking and using its functions can increase the number of participants, more communication between them and individual synergy. and the members of the network for interactions that lead to innovation and creativity at the organization level.
It is for this reason that the relationship between network and innovation has been discussed in this research. In this research, various variables and dimensions of networks and areas of innovation are discussed, and by looking at the factors affecting the relationship between network and innovation, we realize that various factors have an effect on this relationship.

Klakovich et al. (2009) consider networks to play an important role in innovation. They believe that in the conditions of intense global competition and rapid technological development, networks lead companies to produce new products, develop processes based on their key capabilities, and also gain access to other resources (such as skills). Special features, technology, financial capabilities, products, assets, market, etc. This will improve their competitiveness.
The network approach in innovation infers that economic development increases the division of labor among individuals and organizations, and this is the first principle in encouraging companies and organizations to move towards cooperation and interaction. Increased uncertainty, which itself results from technological changes and global competition, is driving many companies to focus less on key competencies and to depend more on trade and collaboration with others. A high level of cooperation and communication usually has a positive effect on innovation activity Friel, 2000
Silva and colleagues believe that the promotion of open innovation networks has a significant effect on the innovation of companies, because on the one hand, they give companies access to information, knowledge and support mechanisms, and on the other hand, they promote cooperation between companies and other innovation partners. They will be privatized like universities, research units and other types of public organizations (Silva et al., 2007). The dominant theory in the innovation network states in many ways that companies can rarely innovate independently and In other words, they can never innovate in isolation and vacuum.
Bjork and Magnuson (2009) found that the establishment of internal relationships in networks consisting of idea generators is related to the quality of innovative ideas. In 2012, Zali et al. presented an article entitled “Effect of entrepreneurs’ network on innovation in Iranian and Danish active companies” and analyzed the effect of manager-owner networks on company innovation. In this regard, they have only paid attention to the issue of the size of the networks. They have found that the overall size of networks has a positive effect on company innovation and the effect of social networks on innovation is negatively moderated by the role model.
Networks play a vital role in relation to innovation, not only because of access to knowledge and internalization of innovations and diffusion of technological innovations, but also because of its importance in learning innovative work procedures. This procedure has been developed or adopted by other organizations. This networking role is as important as the previous two roles. This effect is possible in 2 ways:
1- Through increasing access to knowledge, raising awareness and creating initial compatibility about innovation.
2- Through increasing social interaction, building trust, creating mutual relationships that lead to knowledge transfer (Pitawi et al., 2004)
Pittavi et al. (2004) consider the following factors to be effective in the relationship between innovation and network: diversity of partners, suppliers, customers, third sector, scientific partners, financial partners in risky investments, institutional mechanisms. In short, the above comments can be summarized as follows:
– The effectiveness of networking between companies is influenced by the role of individual and informal networks.
– The degree of diversity of companies’ relationships has a positive effect on innovation.
– Integrating suppliers, collaborative suppliers and distributors in innovation projects can have a positive effect on productivity and increase the probability of innovation success.
– Business customers play an important role in innovation activities by assisting companies in identifying opportunities.
– The third part, scientific partners and institutional mechanisms play an important role in creating the network infrastructure. They can act as neutral agents in the network and enable network members to behave outside the framework.

– Risk-taking investment networks, in case of their effectiveness, create superior opportunities for achieving success during the implementation of the company’s innovative activities.
– What companies gain in relationships depends on their network management experience and ability.
– There are many different configurations for networks, which will differ from each other based on the form of innovation, the industry, and the purpose of the network. Some networks can prevent innovation and be anti-competitive.
Networks fail for various reasons, government intervention can have a positive or negative effect on the stability of networks, especially on network infrastructure.
In the areas related to the impact and effect of networks and networking related to non-governmental organizations, due to the closeness and existence of some connections between social entrepreneurship and non-governmental organizations, in 2013, Naqabi et al. investigated the relationship in their research. between networking behavior and entrepreneurial behavior. Their investigation shows that there is a significant relationship between networking behavior and entrepreneurial behavior, and in these dimensions, the creation, use, and maintenance of connections have had the greatest impact on entrepreneurial behavior, respectively. They found that social skills such as networking behavior help people to get better access to resources, information, legitimacy in their network in order to act more entrepreneurially in the competitive market. They have also suggested based on the results of their research that entrepreneurs and business owners should seek to increase their communication skills, emotional intelligence and networking skills.

Network
Networks have different meanings in the literature. Networks are introduced everywhere by their nature (Jamsa et al., 2011). A network can be defined as a specific set of links among a defined set of role entrepreneurs. Of course, most networks are defined as relationships between different actors. Actors in social networks can include individuals, groups and organizations. For example, organizational networks are voluntary arrangements between two or more companies, which include continuous exchanges and joint development of new products and technologies (Gruen, 2005). Some believe that networks are a strategy. A strategy that aims to create alliances with other companies through people who can help grow the business. Also, the network can be seen as a tool that entrepreneurs use to protect their competitive advantage (Harding, 2000). The title of network can be defined as communication and interactions between people, groups and organizations. Networks can be internalized or externalized. Internalization can be defined as the strengthening of internal cooperation in the company, and externalization can be defined as a limited number of outsourcing relationships. The development of relationships among actors can be classified according to content, form and density. Braddock, 2009.
Network types
Grandouri and Soda (1995) have distinguished different types of networks according to the special features that exist in their coordination mechanisms. Based on this, 3 types of networks can be defined, which may be almost symmetrical or balanced, or asymmetrical and concentrated. These 3 types are:
• Social networks: such as balanced personal networks, specific forms of industrial areas and central arrangements such as subcontractors
• Bureaucratic networks, such as business organizations and partnerships formed in institutional exchanges or contractual agreements.
• Specialized networks such as concentration and joint ventures and risky investments in the specialized fields of market, technical, engineering, development and so on. . . which includes intra-corporate joint investment of shares and ownership rules. Most researches have described networks and network communications based on development and direct and indirect relationships, structural holes, inter-organizational and intra-organizational relationships. Pitawi and colleagues, 2004
The types of network and the target area of ​​research related to the network about each of them are summarized in the table:

* Specialized and knowledge networks
Research about these networks is mostly focused on how to create and exchange knowledge. Surveys show that internal knowledge is important in the networking ability of companies. How to structure knowledge networks is also important. Most researches have evaluated learning through networks.

* Cluster network
Many researches have addressed the issue of proximity of networks in clusters and the benefits of clustering. Some of them have divided clusters into 2 categories of innovative and non-innovative areas. How each company in the cluster is related to other companies has been less considered. It is argued that the mere proximity of companies within a cluster does not affect networking or innovation.

* Regional and national networks
Some of the intra-regional, non-regional and international researches have been investigated. These researches usually deal with the subject of economic geography.

*Strategic networks
The literature of strategic networks considers the network as a strategic resource for companies and seeks to explain how to manage them more effectively. The researches conducted in this case show how organizations can strategically control their relationships. Have.
The structure of networks
The meaning of network structure is to pay attention to two structural issues, structural vacuum (absence or little interpersonal communication within the organization and inter-organizational) and the degree of centralization (communication in organizational and inter-organizational communication). Vital, 2007
Valkar et al. (1997) suggested that the network structure is effective in improving the performance of the network when social capital is properly implemented in the organization environment. In addition, Choi (2005) believes that the network structure plays an important role in improving and removing social limitations. These limitations directly guide the flow of information in the formation and maintenance of social capital. Therefore, social capital network is an important mediating factor between network structure and network performance. He argues that the amount of social capital depends on the structure of the network. Vital, 2000
In this regard and considering the important and effective role of interpersonal communication within the organization, the factor of trust is considered to be one of the effective and important factors in interpersonal, group and network communication. Ajasalu, 2008

Application of networks
Networks have different applications in different organizations, especially social, non-profit and non-profit organizations. Jamsa et al. (2011) consider the uses of the network as follows:
1) Network as an opportunity
2) Network as a source of information
3) Network as a source of learning
Terziowski (2003) describes some of the most important applications of the network:
1) Network members share information with each other, collaborate with each other, customize their own product or service.
2) Network members have unique reactions to the needs in the supply chain sectors, which reflect their distinctive competencies.
3) Participation networks are expected to improve the final product or service through voluntary behavior rather than only creating contractual obligations.

Ability to innovate
The literature of innovation has not focused on the emergence of innovation capability in the company as it should, and they have assumed that companies have this capability and have focused their attention on innovation optimization. Undoubtedly, the effective development of innovation capability is one of the most important issues that cannot be ignored for companies in order to adapt to globalization and the extremely dynamic and competitive environment of the market. Shin and Ulrich, 2004
Kim (1997) defined innovation ability as the ability to create new and useful knowledge based on previous knowledge. Bergelman et al. (2004) have defined innovation capability as a complete set of organizational characteristics that facilitate and support innovation strategies. Innovation capability refers to the implementation or creation of technologies that refer to systems, policies, programs, products, processes, devices or services that are new for organizations (Damanpour and Ivan, 1984). Also, innovation capability The ability of companies to absorb and use external information to transform into new knowledge is also referred to (Cohen and Levinthal, 1990). Innovation capability is also called integration capability. Organizations with innovation capabilities have the ability to model and manage various key organizational capabilities and resources that successfully encourage innovation activities. Ben et al., 2013
Demanpour (1991) states that the field of innovation capability includes technical and administrative innovation. Technical innovations include products, marketing, services and technology used to produce products, sell products or provide services directly related to the high-level activities of the organization. Administrative innovation is related to the administrative structure and organizational processes that are indirectly related to The basic activity of the organization is related and more directly related to its management (Damanpour and Ivan, 1984). Guan and Ma (2003) have stated that innovation capability is a specific asset of the company. This ability to quickly introduce new products and adopt new processes is very important for companies’ competitiveness. These authors have divided innovation capability into seven dimensions: learning capability, research and development, production, marketing, organizational, resource utilization and strategic.

In Govan’s research, innovation capability is defined as the capacity to identify, simulate and exploit the knowledge needed by the company for competitive success. Adler and Shenbar (1990) have defined innovation capability as the ability to develop and respond and have identified four dimensions for it:
1- Ability to develop new products and understand market needs
2- The ability to use appropriate technological processes to produce new products
3- The ability to develop and apply new products and process technologies in order to meet future needs
4- Ability to react to technological activities and unexpected activities of competitors

8. Application fields of networking and innovation
According to the studies, the industries in which networking has a significant effect on innovation are: service industries (such as financial services), parent industries (such as agriculture, energy, oil, and gas), manufacturing industries (such as auto parts industries) , ceramics, clothing), advanced technology industries (aerospace and defense industries, biotechnology, electronics, robotics, enzymes and the use of robots in household services, petrochemicals, plastics, robotics, semiconductors, software, telecommunications). Also, regarding the fields in which the relationship between innovation and networking has been investigated, a number of social science fields such as economic and regional geography, organizational behavior, sociology, operations management, technology management and strategic management can be mentioned. et al., 2004

The benefits of using networking in increasing innovation capability
Pitawi et al. (2004) have investigated the relationship between innovation and networking behavior of companies in a survey of 174 companies and have stated the benefits of innovation through networking:
1- Sharing the risk
2- Access to new markets and technologies
3- Speeding up the process of introducing the product to the market
4- Combination of complementary skills
5- Protection of property rights when contracts are not fully or conditionally possible
6- Acting as a key factor in acquiring foreign knowledge
They also believe that companies that do not participate or do not exchange knowledge formally or informally will limit their knowledge base in the long term and eventually reduce their ability to enter into exchange relationships. He noted that the rush to reach external relations and facilitate corporate innovation may cause cooperation from internal sources to be ignored. In many industries, most of the innovations are carried out within the company itself. Frill, 2003
According to Ahuja (2000), networking behavior significantly improves the innovation output and competitiveness of companies in a wide range of industries. Networking can lead to positive innovation outputs. A network can bring many benefits to companies. By using the network, companies can increase the amount of achieving goals, share the amount of existing risk and reduce costs. Such innovation requires the convergence of many sources of knowledge and skills, and this is usually possible in the form of creating a network. Lefort, 2011.
Using the literature review of this field, it can be said that the most obvious advantages of networks are for innovation, risk sharing, and gathering ideas and different skills. Zali et al., 2012

non governmental Organization
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as informal organizations in any social system with the aim of attracting people’s participation in determining their destiny through empowerment in social, economic, cultural and political dimensions can play an effective role and these organizations have a special position in improving the level of public awareness and development of human resources and recognition of the role of women in the realization of civil society (Abdolhi, 1998). The activities of NGOs include a combination of welfare, development, support and training activities. Meanwhile, the establishment of successful non-governmental organizations in developing countries has shown that these organizations improve the utilization of local resources. They promote equality and reduce poverty.
These organizations can work alongside the government as executive or intellectual arms due to their close relationship with various people and gaining their trust. The general and common principle of all non-governmental centers is to help people to achieve sustainable and balanced development and ultimately to create a progressive civil society. For this reason, these organizations are considered as one of the five tools in international forums, because they have appeared in the form of spontaneous people’s formations and can strengthen the social forces and resources by mobilizing facilities to serve the development and construction of the society. Women’s Affairs Organization, 1998

Networking, social capital and mutual trust
From the point of view of network analysis, social capital refers to the network of relationships and supports and available resources. This type of social capital, which is called network social capital, is focused on various instrumental and support resources available in the network, which is obtained by investing people in social relationships and reaching different social links.
While material deprivation causes people’s relationship with social networks to be disconnected and reduces their social capital. Lin introduces social capital as an individual thing and his emphasis is on strong bonds that are mostly obtained with intra-group capital. In fact, social capital is a tool that plays a role in providing resources and prevents possible loss of resources. Lin considers the results of personal capital in two material levels such as wealth, power and dignity and non-material such as satisfaction with life and mental health (Lin, 1992). According to Simen (2000), as the feeling of powerlessness decreases, the tendency to participate increases, and the more the benefit of participation is evaluated than its costs, the tendency of the individual to participate also increases. As people’s ability increases, the feeling of powerlessness decreases. In fact, participation causes the spirit of self-belief, self-confidence and responsibility to be strengthened in people, and when faced with problems, they take steps to solve these problems and problems and always rely on themselves. Mohsani Tabrizi, 1996.
In this way, social capital in the society creates a potential that is formed by the trust and participation of people in the social system in order to improve living conditions. According to Putnam (2003), the main idea of ​​social capital is that family, friends, colleagues constitute a very important asset that a person can use in crisis situations, take advantage of them, or use them for material benefits. Therefore, Putnam introduces the social relations of people and their interactions with each other as the most fundamental part of social capital. So that any kind of communication activity leads to face-to-face interaction between people and this is the basis for building trust. Trust removes communication barriers and causes many effective interactions. Tousli and Mousavi, 2005

One of the most important stages in any type of study and research is the stage of drawing conclusions and making suggestions. It is obvious that research in any field has specific goals and motivations, but what is important is the results and achievements that can be presented. The results and suggestions, in addition to being important from the point of view of the application of the research title, are clearly effective and useful in creating and strengthening researchers as well as paving the way for future studies and research.
In this research, it was determined that in today’s turbulent and fast-paced world, in order to survive and continue living in this turbulent environment, there is no other way than making permanent changes and using creative and innovative solutions, and in fact, taking advantage of the innovation of methods and paths It is considered inevitable for today’s organizations.
According to the experiences gained and many scientific and applied researches, it was determined that one of the best ways to increase creativity and innovation in organizations, especially non-governmental organizations, is the optimal use of social capital in the form of networking in the organization. In today’s organizations, there are so many things related to networks and innovation that are intermingled between innovation and networking. Creation of various organizations, including international, regional, national, urban, etc. . . And the formation of scientific and research groups and networks in various fields, especially social fields and non-governmental organizations, and the existence of extensive communication between them in order to achieve the desired goals and create creativity and innovation in order to gain a competitive advantage and continue life, all of them show From the special place of networking and its benefits in scientific and research environments in all economic and non-economic institutions, government and private. . . it is today

Today, the dominant approach in Iran is a governmental approach in various fields, which is economically as old as the oil-oriented state economy of several decades and culturally and socially derived from the self-centered governments of the centuries-old kingdom. On the other hand, with the occurrence of the Islamic revolution and the emergence of sparks of reliance on the people, as well as the emergence of various problems in various fields, which cannot be solved except by relying on the people and organizations emanating from the power of the people, there are grounds for emergence and emergence. Organizations such as non-governmental organizations have facilitated.
It should be noted that due to the deep roots of government relations, which are sometimes obstacles to social and popular approaches, non-governmental organizations can use the advantages of networking in the convergence of their forces and in the convergence of similar popular organizations. Together, double their power and influence and use the benefits of networking to achieve innovations that will improve their position in the society and its relations as a special competitive advantage for such non-governmental organizations.
According to the above, in this section, suggestions and summaries about networking and its role in the ability to innovate in non-governmental organizations are presented:
1- Considering the key and institutional role of individuals and members in non-governmental organizations, so that the philosophy and function of these organizations depend on these individuals and members, the first recommendation in order to create innovation in such organizations is that the spirit and atmosphere of creativity and Innovation should be strengthened and instilled in each member of the organization. In this context, delegating possible authority to people, defining flexible tasks in people’s work, teaching ways to strengthen creativity in people and so on. . . It can be effective. The possibility of defining the service portfolio instead of focusing and staying on one or more limited services helps to create innovation. Detailed study and analysis of current activities and services can influence innovation. Defining a certain system in order to systematically screen ideas is considered an effective factor in increasing innovation in such organizations, especially because the existence of voluntary spirit and self-motivation in the members of these organizations is a very suitable platform for the emergence of various innovations and creativity that the existence of the definition system Screening itself can be considered as an opportunity or idea hunting system to create innovation. Attention and imitation of successful examples and models in relevant fields (Benchmarking) is definitely a factor for innovation. Creating and exchanging a common understanding of the concept of innovation can clearly and clearly show the innovation roadmap, and each person’s correct and accurate understanding of this roadmap can pave the way for each of them to play their role in the process of development and innovation. and in the end, if the innovation of service or activity or goal is defined as a specific and independent project and accordingly an operational planning is planned for it, it can raise the position of innovation in the organization to several levels.
2- One of the things that distinguish non-governmental organizations from other organizations and organizations is that people in non-governmental organizations, regardless of the economic, political and social powers and pressures that exist in other organizations, The voluntary and self-motivated form turns to an organization (non-governmental organization) whose main strength and reliance is on the participation and convergence of members and individuals in order to achieve specific, specific and usually supra-economic and political goals. With regard to this issue, it is clear that the use of networking tools in non-governmental organizations is of double importance, as if we look at this issue according to the view of Simen (2000), we realize that people who turn to non-governmental organizations bring or have a “feeling of powerlessness” or those who self-consciously put aside this feeling individually and try to reduce the feeling of powerlessness by relying on more participation in the form of such organizations and instead In order to achieve the set goals of that organization, non-governmental organizations should promote the power, influence and influence of that organization. With this situation, the role and necessity of using the special and effective functions of networking in non-governmental organizations both in convergence and increasing the participation of members in increasing the power and influence of the organization and in line with its effects on the creation of various innovations in achieving the primary goals of that organization is clear. And it is exposed.
3- In the studies related to the network and networking, especially those related to social networks, it was found that these types of networks have factors and variables such as outsourcing, research and development, experience, network size, network structure, network accumulated knowledge, Network members, elite composition and. . . It is possible that future researchers can consider and study the impact of such variables on topics related to network and networking by considering and selecting some of these variables.

4- In the studies related to networking and innovation, there are variables and factors that are effective on the relationship between innovation and networking. Managers and employees who intend to use networking methods to increase innovation need to pay special attention to these variables and consider and calculate their role in this regard.
On the other hand, researchers can also consider such factors as resources, balance of power in networks, trust, relationships between network members, the type of network management, and pay attention to such factors as moderating variables, and researches to do practical and effective in this field.