Network Capabilities: Brokerage as a Bridge Between Network Theory and the Resource-Based View of the Firm

Abstract

We accomplish three tasks here: (a) We highlight the lack of cross-fertilization between research on network theory and the resource-based view of the firm (RBV). (b) We sketch by analogy what we believe should be a productive bridge between network brokerage as a core concept in network theory and integrating resources as a core concept in RBV. (c) Network brokerage quickly introduced, we distinguish and illustrate three levels to the proposed network-RBV analogy: tight integration of resources (closed networks for learning-curve efficiency), loose integration of resources (brokered clusters for resilience to market vicissitudes), and recombinatory integration of resources (broker leadership for innovation and robust response to market shock).