Interaction Dynamics of Interorganizational Learning in a Strategic Network: From Extension to Internalization
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: this study aims to analyze the interactional dynamics of extension, interaction, and internalization in the process of interorganizational learning (IOL) in organizations belonging to the same strategic interorganizational network. Methods: a qualitative and exploratory case study was conducted in an interorganizational network with a longevity of more than 15 years, composed of public and private legal organizations. Data were collected through meetings, interviews, and document analysis. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data, resulting in five major themes (learning episodes, extension, interaction, internalization, and network). Results: the findings show that extension occurs at the organizational level, preparing the organization to participate in the network. Interactions occur at the interorganizational level and focus on knowledge sharing. Finally, internalization at the organizational level seeks to apply this new knowledge. Conclusions: the study contributes to research on IOL by discussing the connection between dynamics and their interdependencies. In addition, it confirms the existence of the interorganizational level (expansion of the 4i framework), adding the processes of openness, sharing, and change to IOL research.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Abualqumboz, M. A. (2015). Challenges to Interorganisational Learning in Learning Networks: Implications for Practice (Doctoral´s dissertation, University of Manchester), University of Manchester. Repository. https://search.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1780275048/abstract/5BF8BB9332F54A9DPQ/1?accountid=26642
Ammons, D. N., & Roenigk, D. J. (2015). Benchmarking and interorganizational learning in local government. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 25(1), 309-335. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muu014
Anand, A., Brøns Kringelum, L., Øland Madsen, C., & Selivanovskikh, L. (2020). Interorganizational learning: a bibliometric review and research agenda. The Learning Organization, 28(2), 111-136. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-02-2020-0023
Bouncken, R. B.; Pesch, R. & Kraus, S. (2015). SME innovativeness in buyer–seller alliances: effects of entry timing strategies and inter-organizational learning. Review of Managerial Science, 9(2), 361-384, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-014-0160-6
Brandão, J. M. F., Temoteo, J. A. G., & Cândido, G. A. (2018). “A união faz a força”: Análise do processo de aprendizagem interorganizacional em uma rede paraibana de hotéis. Revista Brasileira de Pesquisa em Turismo, 12, 25-45. https://doi.org/10.7784/rbtur.v12i2.1379
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012). Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds.), APA handbook of research methods in psychology, Vol. 2. Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57–71). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13620-004
Creswell, J. W. (2021). Projeto de pesquisa: métodos qualitativo, quantitativo e misto (5th ed.). Artmed.
Crossan, M. M., Lane, H. W., & White, R. E. (1999). An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 522-537. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.2202135
Cui, R., Wang, J., Xue, Y., & Liang, H. (2021). Interorganizational learning, green knowledge integration capability and green innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(4), 1292-1314. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-11-2019-0325
Dagnino, G. B., Levanti, G., Mina, A., & Picone, P. M. (2015). Interorganizational network and innovation: a bibliometric study and proposed research agenda. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 30(3-4), 354-377. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-02-2013-0032
Dorow, P. F., Trzeciak, D. S., & Rados, G. J. V. (2018). Motivadores ao compartilhamento de conhecimento tácito em organizações intensivas em conhecimento. Revista Eletrônica de Ciência Administrativa, 17(3), 373-394. https://doi.org/10.21529/RECADM.2018015
Downe, J., Hartley, J., & Rashman, L. (2004). Evaluating the extent of inter-organizational learning and change in local authorities through the English Beacon Council Scheme. Public Management Review, 6(4), 531-554. https://doi.org/10.1080/1471903042000303328
Easterby‐Smith, M., Lyles, M. A., & Tsang, E. W. (2008). Inter‐organizational knowledge transfer: Current themes and future prospects. Journal of management Studies, 45(4), 677-690. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2008.00773.x
Eiriz, V., Gonçalves, M., & Areias, J. S. (2017). Inter-organizational learning within an institutional knowledge network: A case study in the textile and clothing industry. European Journal of Innovation Management, 20(2), 230-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-11-2015-0117
Forgiarini, D. I (2019). Aprendizagem interorganizacional em Cooperativas (Doctoral´s dissertation, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos), Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Repository. http://www.repositorio.jesuita.org.br/handle/UNISINOS/8989
Gibb, J., Sune, A., & Albers, S. (2017). Network learning: episodes of interorganizational learning towards a collective performance goal. European Management Journal, 35(1), 15-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2016.09.001
Greve, H. R. (2005). Interorganizational learning and heterogeneous social structure. Organization Studies, 26(7), 1025-1047. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840605053539
Halachmi, A., & Woron, A. M. (2013). Spontaneous inter-organizational learning. International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, 16(2), 135-164. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-16-02-2013-B001
Hamel (1991). Por gentileza, incluir nas referências: Hamel, G. (1991). Competition for competence and interpartner learning within international strategic alliances. Strategic Management Journal, 12(S1), 83-103. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250120908
Hartley, J., & Allison, M. (2002). Good, better, best? Inter-organizational learning in a network of local authorities. Public Management Review, 4(1), 101-118. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616670110117332
Hibbert, P., Huxham, C., & Ring, P. S. (2008). Managing collaborative inter-organizational relations. In The Oxford handbook of inter-organizational relations (pp. 390-416). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199282944.003.0015
Holmqvist, M. (2003a). A dynamic model of intra- and interorganisational learning. Organization Studies, 24(1), 95-123. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840603024001684
Holmqvist, M. (2003b). Intra- and Interorganisational Learning Processes: an Empirical Comparison. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 19(4), 443-466.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0956-5221(03)00055-1
Holmqvist, M. (2004). Experiential learning processes of exploitation and exploration within and between organizations: An empirical study of product development. Organization Science, 15(1), 70-81. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1030.0056
Hunter, L., Beaumont, P., & Lee, M. (2002). Knowledge management practice in Scottish law firms. Human Resource Management Journal, 12(2), 4-21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-8583.2002.tb00061.x
Iftikhar, R., Ahola, T., & Butt, A. (2022). Learning from interorganizational projects. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 15(1), 102-120. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-11-2020-0361
Janowicz-Panjaitan, M., & Noorderhaven, N. G. (2009). Trust, calculation, and interorganizational learning of tacit knowledge: An organizational roles perspective. Organization Studies, 30(10), 1021-1044. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840609337933
Jarillo, J. C. (1988). On strategic networks. Strategic Management Journal, 9, 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250090104
Jones, O., & Macpherson, A. (2006). Interorganizational learning and strategic renewal in SMEs: extending the 4i framework. Long Range Planning, 39(2), 155-175.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2005.02.012
Knight, L. (2002). Network learning: Exploring learning by interorganizational networks. Human Relations, 55(4), 427-454. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726702554003
Kull, T. J., & Ellis, S. C. (2016). Coping with dependence: A logistics strategy based on interorganizational learning for managing buyer–supplier relations. Journal of Business Logistics, 37(4), 346-363. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12146
Lane, P. J., & Lubatkin, M. (1998). Relative absorptive capacity and interorganizational learning. Strategic Management Journal, 19(5), 461-477. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199805)19:53.0.CO;2-L
Lane, P. J., Koka, B. R., & Pathak, S. (2006). The reification of absorptive capacity: A critical review and rejuvenation of the construct. Academy of Management Review, 31(4), 833-863. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2006.22527456
Larsson, R., Bengtsson, L., Henriksson, K., & Sparks, J. (1998). The interorganizational learning dilemma: Collective knowledge development in strategic alliances. Organization Science, 9(3), 285-305. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.9.3.285
Leung, A., Xu, H., Wu, G. J., & Luthans, K. W. (2019). Industry Peer Networks (IPNs) Cooperative and competitive interorganizational learning and network outcomes. Management Research Review, 42(1), 122-140. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2018-0057
Manring, S. L. (2007). Creating and managing interorganizational learning networks to achieve sustainable ecosystem management. Organization & Environment, 20(3), 325-346. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026607305738
Manring, S. L., & Moore, S. B. (2006). Creating and managing a virtual inter-organizational learning network for greener production: A conceptual model and case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 14(9-11), 891-899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.11.033
Mariotti, F. (2012). Exploring interorganizational learning: A review of the literature and future directions. Knowledge and Process Management, 19(4), 215-221. https://doi.org/10.1002/kpm.1395
Merriam, S. B. (2002). Qualitative Research in Practice: Examples for discussion and analysis. Jossey-Bass.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2016). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Mozzato, A. R., & Bitencourt, C. C. (2014). Understanding interorganizational learning based on social spaces and learning episodes. BAR-Brazilian Administration Review, 11(3), 284-301. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-7692bar2014370
Mozzato, A. R., & Bitencourt, C. C. (2018). The process of interorganisational learning in the context of spatial agglomeration. International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 24(2), 176-199. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIL.2018.094070
Möller, K., & Svahn, S. (2006). Role of knowledge in value creation in business nets. Journal of Management Studies, 43(5), 985-1007. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2006.00626.x
Neves, E. O. (2017). Articulação entre os construtos aprendizagem organizacional, capacidade absortiva e inovação em organizações intensivas em conhecimento (Doctoral´s dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. https://repositorio.ufsc.br/handle/123456789/188523?show=full
Nonaka, I., & Toyama, R. (2003). The knowledge-creating theory revisited: Knowledge creation as a synthesizing process. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 1(1), 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.kmrp.8500001
Oliveira, G. M., & Silva, A. B. D. (2022). Interorganizational learning mechanisms in Porto Digital. BAR-Brazilian Administration Review, 19(2), e210106. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-7692bar2022210106
Ouro, A. M. Filho, Olave, M. E. L., & Barreto, I. D. D. C. (2021). Strategic factors of network organisations and their influence on inter-organisational learning. International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 18(1), 69-92. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLIC.2021.113672
Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., & Smith-Doerr, L. (1996). Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology. Administrative Science Quarterly, 41(1), 116-145. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393988
Roth, A. L., Wegner, D., Antunes Júnior, J. A. V., & Padula, A. D. (2012). Diferenças e inter-relações dos conceitos de governança e gestão de redes horizontais de empresas: contribuições para o campo de estudos. Revista de Administração, 47, 112-123. https://doi.org/10.5700/rausp1029
Schipper, T. M., Mennens, K., Preenen, P., Vos, M., van den Tooren, M., & Hofstra, N. (2023). Interorganizational learning: a conceptualization of public-private learning communities. Human Resource Development Review, 22(4), 494-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/15344843231198361
Schumacher, T. (2015). Linking action learning and inter-organisational learning: The learning journey approach. Action Learning: Research and Practice, 12(3), 293-313. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767333.2015.1074886
Silva, P. N. D., & Amboni, N. (2024). Aprendizagem interorganizacional no contexto do Sistema de Franquias. Revista Eletrônica de Estratégia & Negócios, 17, e25762. https://doi.org/10.59306/reen.v17e2024e25762
Scott, J. E. (2000). Facilitating interorganizational learning with information technology. Journal of Management Information Systems, 17(2), 81-113. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2000.11045648
Sienkiewicz-Małyjurek, K. E., Kożuch, B., & Szczygłowski, J. (2018). Inter-organisational learning in public safety management system. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 28(2), 272-284. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-09-2017-0217
Sohn, A. P. L. (2015). Aprendizagem interorganizacional: Análise de canais de transmissão de conhecimento em clusters têxteis e de vestuário no Brasil e na Europa (Doctoral´s dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Repository. https://repositorio.ufsc.br/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/159401/337540.pdf?sequence=1
Sydow, J., & Windeler, A. (1997). Über Netzwerke, virtuelle Integration und Interorganisationsbeziehungen. In J. Sydow, A. Windeler (Eds), Management interorganisationaler Beziehungen (pp. 1-21). Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-96384-0_1
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & Devault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource, (4th ed.). Wiley.
Van-Winkelen, C. (2010). Deriving value from inter‐organizational learning collaborations. The Learning Organization, 17(1), 8-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/09696471011008215
Watanabe-Wilbert, J. K., Steil, A. V., & Dandolini, G. A. (2022). Aprendizagem da rede e aprendizagem interorganizacional: um framework teórico da relação e interdependência. Cadernos EBAPE. BR, 20, 863-881. https://www.scielo.br/j/cebape/a/TwYNWnKkQHvHJJTBhBzN95P/?format=pdf&lang=pt
Wilbert, J. K. W. (2019). Aprendizagem de uma rede global transnacional à luz da aprendizagem multinível: estudo de caso no setor postal internacional (Doctoral´s dissertation, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Repository. https://repositorio.ufsc.br/handle/123456789/214257
Yin, R. K. (2016). Qualitative research from start to finish (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Zaghab, R. W. (2011). The interorganizational learning lifecycle: Knowledge for use in international development (Doctoral´s dissertation, University of Maryland University College) University of Maryland University College. https://www.proquest.com/docview/1019281735?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true







