Social Networks, Social Capital, and Performance Outcomes in Open Innovation Settings

Modern information and communication technologies offer new opportunities for people to interact, share knowledge, and collaborate. In online open innovation communities, which may either be initiated by users or companies, members jointly search for solutions to a wide range of existing problems. As they begin to connect, large networks of social relations evolve within and around these communities. The thesis shall address the meaning of social capital – an asset that lies in social relations and networks – for facilitating knowledge transfer and thus increasing innovation performance. The focus may be either on structural (e.g. network configuration), relational (e.g. trust), or cognitive (e.g. shared language) aspects of social capital.

Depending on the type of thesis (bachelor, master, diploma), the research topic could be addressed in a systematic literature review, a single or a multi-case study, the development of a conceptual model, or an empirical analysis.

The thesis can be written in English or German.
Please contact Matthias Raß for further information.