Date: 06/11/2009
Time: 10:30-17:00
Place: Manchester Business School, Booth Street West, Manchester, GB

Description:
Smart Networks: The Importance of Relationships and Networks in Radical Innovation

Keynote Speakers:

Professor Hakan Hakansson, Department of Innovation and Economic Organisation, Norwegian School of Management
Dr. Lisa O'Malley, Department of Management and Marketing, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick
Dr. Vicky Story, Nottingham University Business School

IBM has recently introduced the Smarter Planet programme with a focus on the Smarter City; this is a new model for, not only, thinking about, but also, implementing sustainable living. The model allows us to connect the three overarching stakeholder groups of the Smart Consumers, Smart Businesses and Smart Government within the context of where interactions really happen - the City. In a Smarter City the stakeholder groups work together in a more integrated way. Within business-to-business marketing the idea of connected businesses that work together cooperatively and in a smarter way has become a key theme of research. Assessing the value of relationships, netowrks and interactions in the conduct of commercial activities is critical, particularly for radical innovations, which have been found to rely more heavily on these relationships and networks to bring more innovative ideas to market. Thus central to the idea of the smart business in a sustainable environment is its integration within an innovation netowrk.
This seminar will address this topic, with particular reference to the role of relationships and netowrks in the processes, by taking the perspectives of a variety of academic speakers and case studies from industry and the public sector.

Case Studies:
TrusTech (ACTNoW - Dr. Richard Deed) will focus on network developments that underpin the successful linking of partners (the NHS, Industry and patients) in facilitating the placement of clinical trials.

M:KC (Manchester Teams - Dr. Cathy Garner) willk focus on the development of the Innovation Manchester Teams programme to enhance the city-region's capacity for innovation through building a networked community of innovation.

Northern Startup 2.0 (Ecosystem for Tech Startups - Manoj Ranaweera) will focus on how we can ensure the best possible environment for startups to succeed through knowledge share and access to capital and talent.

Programme
10:30 - Reception
11:00 - Keynote speakers: Dr. Lisa O'Malley and Dr. Vicky Story
12:00 - Open discussion
13:00 - Lunch
14:00 - Keynote speaker: Professor Hakan Hakansson
15:00 - Case study presentations
16:00 - Panel discussion
17:00 - Reception - light buffet and further discussion

This event is free to registered participants. Demand for places is expected to be high and places are limited, so registration as soon as possible is essential. Please contact Michelle Kelly at Manchester Business School on michelle.kelly@mbs.ac.uk as soon as possible.