Network Equilibrium and the Spread of Innovation in Technologically Cooperating European SMEs.

European technical cooperation data from a recent large survey on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is used to formulate a proxy network of country typical SMEs (CTSMEs) and reveal measures of centrality, bridging, density and structural equivalence. The longer established European member CTSMEs show similar structural equivalence, while the same is true for the new member states. We found that the innovativeness of a body of structurally equivalent CTSMEs is positively related to their gatekeeper role and ability to occupy balanced Simmelian as opposed to balanced ordinary bridging positions, highlighting the value of cooperation as opposed to competition in the growth of innovation. This brings enhanced understanding to organisations about areas for long term trans-regional business improvement.