Network Governance, Supply Chain Ambidexterity, and Technology Transfer: The Massive Steel Forging Industry in Germany
Regaining ambidexterity along the value chain in a turbulent environment requires complex adaptation processes. The relevance of network governance in such situations and its interdependence with knowledge flows has not yet received sufficient attention. Using the case of the massive forging industry, this paper examines how turbulent environmental change required adjustments to balance between exploitation and exploration. External shocks initiated an adaptation process that displayed rather idiosyncratic patterns. Adapting network governance mechanics was crucial for newly developed knowledge transfer patterns. The knowledge flow had to be adapted from rather arms-length relations to a closer relationship characterised by reciprocal interdependence.
Elsevier
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.6301405