Networking and collaboration are two essential components that are needed by businesses to thrive in the 21st century. These networking techniques have revolutionized marketing and facilitated communication between businesses across the globe.
These networks enable executives to connect and further each other’s interests by forming mutually beneficial business relationships. This helps companies to increase productivity and reduce costs.
Networking in developed countries
In developed countries, high-speed Internet access has become a necessity. It is a powerful tool for delivery of essential services, such as education and healthcare; it offers opportunities for women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability; and it helps improve government transparency and accountability.
It also provides a foundation for smart infrastructure, such as intelligent transport systems and smart electric grids. It can help catalyze job skills development and reduce poverty, while supporting shared prosperity.
A key challenge is to expand broadband access in developing countries, which have less of this infrastructure than developed economies. Broadband connectivity is also a critical tool for developing and sharing information.
Networking is a key element of research collaboration that enhances innovation quality and can have a significant effect on economic growth. However, it is important to understand that the effect of network characteristics on innovation quality may be heterogeneous across firms and countries.
Networking in developing countries
Developing countries have limited access to high-speed network connections. In some cases, this is a result of the nature of local telecommunications infrastructure.
In others, it is a function of the local government’s attitude to networking. Getting the support of government ministries is essential for introducing and exploiting international network links effectively.
Another factor that may influence a country’s absorption of technology is the size of its market. Small markets tend to limit the flow of information about products and technology, especially if the firms controlling those markets are monopolists or oligopolitists.
Fortunately, international network links have enormous potential to reduce this effect, as they increase the rate of information exchange and thereby weaken any restrictive control by a single firm of the flow of information. If the content of such information is properly introduced, explained, and emphasized, the effects can be substantial.
Networking in the 21st century
Business networking and collaboration are important in the 21st century. They promote value creation by improving connectivity between organizations and customers (Boudreau & Lakhani, 2013).
Businesses today cannot satisfy all their consumers’ needs; hence they need to come together in collaborative networks to create superior value for them.
Besides, collaboration can also help companies to reduce their production costs without interfering with the quality of the products they make.
However, there are some challenges that businesses face when implementing collaborative networks (Sacchetti, 2012). For example, they must control the cultural resistance to sharing information in the company.
In addition, they must embrace openness that encourages the sharing of data and intelligence for the creation of value. Furthermore, they should ensure that government regulations are accommodative to the flow of data through business networks.
Networking in the company
Business networking and collaboration are crucial to any company. These networks are important for enhancing customer service and improving the productivity of the company.
A good business network should be comprehensive and open. It should be able to provide access to required data for collaboration.
Moreover, it should be a collaborative platform to increase product differentiation by leveraging members’ superior competences. The network should also consider contextual knowledge to ensure that the members have the right expertise for achieving the company’s objectives (MacCormack, Forbath, Brooks, & Kalaher, 2007).
Networking is an essential part of any business process. It helps to connect employees and create new opportunities for sales. It is also useful for developing relationships with key clients and potential customers.
