Because of the specific characteristics of innovation communities,
social relationships between community members play a pivotal role for
performance in such settings. In response, Martin Dumbach takes a social
capital perspective and approaches the research question: What are
antecedents of social capital in corporate innovation communities? Using
both qualitative as well as quantitative methods, the research presented
offers interesting insights into the dynamics of the development of
community networks. In more detail, the author describes innovation
community social capital as a self-reinforcing asset that is affected by
antecedents on the individual, the community, and the organizational
level. These findings add to the literature on innovation communities
and social capital and have important implications for community
management.