Identifying Heterogeneity Dimensions of Collaboration and Innovation Networks in Biopharmaceuticals field by using Mixed Approach: Content Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Innovation networks refer to a set of companies and institutions that work together for a common goal, which is the development of innovation. The purpose of this study is to identify the heterogeneity of cooperation and innovation networks in the field of Biopharmaceuticals.

Considering that the present research is applied and descriptive in terms of purpose and nature and is mixed in terms of method, at first the theoretical foundations were examined. Then, in the first step, with a qualitative approach, the statistical population of government, academic and industrial experts active in innovation networks was determined and some of these people were interviewed by purposeful sampling method and the main themes of network heterogeneity were identified by content analysis method. Took. In the second step, with a qualitative approach, the statistical population, bio-pharmaceutical companies of the country were determined and 32 questionnaires were collected from those companies by random sampling method. Finally, by confirmatory factor analysis method and using Smart-Pls software, Themes were approved.

The results show that the three main categories of network heterogeneity include structural, relational and cognitive heterogeneity. Also, according to the amount of factor load, "power and centrality" in terms of structural heterogeneity, "partner selection" in terms of relational heterogeneity, and "the extent of benefiting from all kinds of tacit and explicit knowledge" in terms of cognitive heterogeneity have a higher priority in Networks heterogeneity.