Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Processes behind networking

According to the EC glossary networking is to: ‘use existing resources in your consortium to increase outreach on international, national, and regional level – for example, rely on your project partners’ already existing contacts and networks …’ and the EURAKNOS project describes networking as: ‘use of the communication and dissemination materials at occasions where project partners are in direct interaction with the relevant networking partners, e.g. TN’s and initiatives with a common interest’.

To stimulate innovation when networking, it can be of use to get acquainted with parts of the processes or theories behind networking. There is substantial theory behind networking and the following is just a hint of what to be attentive of.

When stimulating innovation between people, there are roughly three modes/styles of communication:

• Transfer of knowledge and trying to convince the other person about your idea. There is the risk that you end up arguing about the best solution.

• Exchange of ideas and negotiation. You try to see what’s in it for the other person and to create a win-win situation.

• Co-creation with the other person. You try to find common ground and to see if you have shared ambitions and if you can create something together.

Trying to find common ground by co-creating is possibly the most energising mode of communication. You create something new together whereas the style with transfer of knowledge and convincing can be exhausting.

Co-creation can only take place in warm networks where the focus is on energy, connection and ambition. In warm networks, people share ambitions and pool their resources to innovate and to change together. Cold networks, on the other hand, are needed for structuring activities and for being accountable.

Source Project
EURAKNOS
Ongoing | 2019-2021
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Belgium
Project details

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