| dc.description.abstract | This study deals with the core benefits of network participation from the maritime companies’ perspective. It mainly focuses on the area of innovation, network qualities and absorptive capacities.
A single case study has been conducted to address two research questions; 1) what are the core benefits of network participation for a maritime company? 2) Which qualities of network events influence the benefits for the participants? The main findings show that, the networks are valuable communication channel for organizations aimed at knowledge sharing, having access to industry news, and innovation approach. Moreover it discovered that network participation is an appropriate mean for negotiation practice, trust building, contact building, and developing existing relationships. The study founds that transparency of network and between participants, diverse range of participants, combination of formal and informal program, weather, time of the year, geographical location, size of the event hall, number of participants, age range of participant, and cost of attendance are the key factors, which influence the quality of a network event. The study has theoretical and practical implications as well as future research suggestions to improve benefits accomplishment from network participation. | |
