Learning in Networks

In the past the dynamics of the markets in interaction with an increasing globalization led to the fact that industries concentrated more and more on their core competences. By the reduction of the companies vertical integration value-added processes were outsourced in the same measure as supporting activities. In order to be able to meet the so developing complexity, production and logistics networks were formed to enhance the co-operation between the enterprises in a long-term and stable form. In these networks beside products and semi-finished materials also knowledge and information are produced and transferred. The protection and division of knowledge, experience and behaviours are of a special relevance if e.g. a participant leaves the network. In such a case the question arises whether and how the knowledge of the separating participant can be particularly retained for the network and a possible advancing producer, in order to not disturb the efficiency of the network. For the management of this problem methods are presented, which base on the organisational as well as interorganisational learning approaches and so called learning laboratories for the passing on of implicit knowledge, experiences and behaviours.