Research output per year
Research output per year
Prof. Cobbenhagenlaan 225, Simon Building, room S 606
5037 DB Tilburg
Netherlands
Research activity per year
My research focuses on knowledge creation and applies this to the three areas discussed below. My disciplinary background is organization sociology and economic geography. Given my interest in researching knowledge creation as a process, my empirical approach is mainly, though not exclusively, qualitative in nature.
Knowledge creation and networks
I conduct research into how characteristics of networks ? such as organizational structure, governance mechanisms, network composition, trust, communication, etc. ? affect the knowledge creation process in networks. In my research, networks form the organizational context within which individuals create knowledge. I look at knowledge creation as a process of social interaction. My research contributes to the literature on the knowledge-based view of firms and networks from an organizational-sociological perspective.
Proximities and knowledge creation
Elaborating on the previous, I argue that knowledge is embedded in social contexts. Actors that share a social context find it easier to create knowledge, while knowledge creation across social contexts is more difficult. Different forms of proximities may constitute a social context, either individually or in combination, in the following ways:
- Spatial proximity: When actors share the customs and traditions of a location/place.
- Social proximity: When actors share the norms and values of a (social or professional) network.
- Technological/cognitive proximity: Such as found in for example communities of practice.
Understanding the role of proximities with regard to knowledge creation is important to explain the competitiveness of networks and places.
Knowledge creation and regional economic development
I research why some places/regions have a better economic performance than others and argue that this is because some places/regions are more conducive to knowledge creation than others. This research connects to the economic-geographic literature on Territorial Innovation Models, in particular the Learning Region, and it connects this literature to new insights with regard to regional economic development, such as creativity and social capital.
Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization Studies at Tilburg University (2001-present).
Core Fellow in the Center for Innovation Research (CIR) at Tilburg University (2008-present).
Visiting Fellow at Newcastle University Business School (2010-2012).
Consultant for European Regional Affairs Consultants (ERAC) in the field of regional innovation policy (1994-2001).
Joris Knoben, dissertation on: Firm mobility and organizational networks. (Graduation 14.09.2007.)
Rik Ligthart (2009-present): governance of networks.
Roland Levering (2009-present): organizational culture and networks.
Experience with education in both large and small groups. Responsible for designing new courses and renewing existing courses. Used to teaching courses in teams with other lecturers.
Courses taught:
Innovation and Organization*; Inter-Organizational Relations; Economic Sociology; Master Seminar Organization Studies; Organization Theory; Project Assignment B*; Advice, Intervention and Evaluation*; Introduction to Organization Studies; Research in Organizations; Corporate Social Responsibilities; Academic Skills*
*) course coordinator.
Click here for my courses.
Research output: Book/Report › Book › Scientific
Research output: Online publication or Non-textual form › Web publication/site › Other research output
Research output: Book/Report › Report
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Bazzan, G. (Organiser), Denoo, L. (Organiser), Rutten, R. (Chair), van den Oord, S. (Organiser) & Wang, J. (Organiser)
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organising a conference › Scientific
Mannak, R. (Speaker) & Rutten, R. (Speaker)
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk › Professional
Rutten, R. P. J. H. (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity › Scientific
Rutten, R. P. J. H. (Reviewer)
Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity › Scientific