Towards more reliable network scales

Abstract

Despite the increased prominence of innovation networks comprising university, business and government, empirical studies are still sparse. This is partly due to methodological challenges involved in empirical network research and the subsequent dearth of suitable network scales. To address these issues, a pilot study is conducted based on a particularly innovative network in the Australian wine industry. It adopts a solution of an issue-based network to overcome the challenge of the boundaryless nature of networks. It also surveys multiple key informants within each organization to improve reliability of findings. Based on exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing, the study provides preliminary network scales of acceptable internal reliability and consistent with the dimensions identified in both the network literature and exploratory interviews. The paper concludes with directions for future research.