Maneuvering between Networks to Lead – A Longitudinal Case Study in the Semiconductor Industry

Abstract

How organizations exert leadership in interorganizational, predominantly hierarchical networks is well researched. However, there are also networks that are not hierarchical, but heterarchical in nature, i.e. where no organizational actor formally presides over the other member organizations and where leadership is nevertheless practised and accepted by network members. But how exactly is an organization able to lead under these structural conditions and, in particular, to capitalize – in the leadership process – on its membership in more than one network? Informed by structuration theory, we investigate this practice of ‘network manoeuvring’, that is, how an organization skilfully takes advantage of the reciprocal influences between two different forms of networks. In particular, we study Intel de facto leading the SEMATECH consortium (i.e. a heterarchical network) and guiding technology development along its supply chain (i.e. a hierarchical network). Network manoeuvring is enabled in this case by two mutually reinforming practices (i.e. roadmapping and roadmap gap filling) centred around a key resource (i.e. a roadmap as an artefact). Based upon our findings, we provide practical guidance and theoretical insights on how and under what circumstances this kind of manoeuvring in and across two (different types of) networks substitutes for formally legitimated leadership.