Knowledge network reconstruction for manufacturing SMEs: from the inter-, internal- and network-level perspective

Knowledge network reconstruction matters the innovation capability and developing orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We explore the paths of knowledge network reconstruction for SMEs in the manufacturing industry and the impact of multilevel factors on these paths. This research adopts the method of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on a sample of 287 manufacturing SMEs in China. The results show two types of paths – Capability & Information driven and Resource driven, which illustrate the importance of resource acquisition capability, and fsQCA enables the examination of configurational effects of different antecedents. This research integrates the views and factors from different levels of knowledge network reconstruction and discusses the conflicting arguments about factors in the existing literature. Furthermore, drawing on a configurational approach provides a more fitting path according to the situations of different enterprises, instead of a thorough investment.