Chapter 2: Technological Innovation in Organizational Networks: Designing and Implementing a Multipublisher E-Book Program in a Public University

Studies of innovation in organizational networks have been conducted in a variety of research streams including innovation research, network theory and information technology innovation and diffusion research. This study explores the case of an innovative institutional e-book program developed and implemented at a small public university. Drawing from each of these research streams, the study uses three theoretical frameworks that have been proposed for understanding how innovations arise and develop in the context of heterogeneous organizational networks. The analysis focuses on insights offered by each of the frameworks, comparison of the frameworks’ contributions to understanding the dynamics of the e-book project, and suggestions for further areas of research. Implications for public policy include establishing publicly-funded programs and incentives for the establishment of privately-funded programs that create niches for technological innovation pilot projects, promotion of heterogeneity in innovation networks in programs designed to foster technological innovation, and organizing and supporting workshops and/or virtual communities that facilitate the sharing of lessons learned by experienced innovation network orchestrators with those who are leading their first network-oriented technological innovation pilot projects.