Network Dynamic for Experimental Learning Cycle and Innovation Process: A Conceptual Model

Abstract This study develops a conceptual model of network dynamics on innovation by integrating observations and insights from a world-leading innovation company with concepts and theories from the relevant literature. This study first defines the two stages of the innovation process – early-stage and late-stage and unpacks two types of network activities – knowledge networks and social networks. This work then suggests that the experimental learning cycle with failures spontaneously stimulates network activities to become cognitively activated in the innovation process and incorporates six testable propositions. This study illuminates the idea of Learning by Networking and demonstrates that inventors constitute the reality about what knowledge involves and which people act and intentionally create network dynamics for each task, thus merging these streams as a sequential phenomenon.