The role of interorganizational citizenship behaviors in the innovation process
Résumé
This paper investigates the role of citizenship in the innovation process.While there is a large amount of research
on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), interorganizational citizenship behavior (ICB) has received less
attention. This study examines a dense, localized cluster of private, public, and non-profit organizations. Seven
dimensions characterize ICB during the different phases of the innovation process. These ICBs reflect 16 interorganizational
practices that generate absorptive capacity. Seven of these practices occur during the ideation phase,
five during the invention phase, and four during the exploitation phase. Cooperation and collaboration precede or
underlie ICB. This study shows that spatial proximity is insufficient for enhancing innovation activities in industrial
agglomerations and that ICB, collaboration, and cooperation are necessary. Therefore, these findings contribute
to knowledge on the theory of innovation management and economic geography.