Knowledge Network Analysis in Universities: Open Innovation and Academic Governance
Abstract
Knowledge networks have become a central mechanism for driving open innovation and reshaping governance structures in universities; however, there is still limited empirical evidence explaining how internal network configurations influence institutional openness and decision-making dynamics, particularly in emerging contexts. This study analyzes the structure and strategic effects of knowledge networks in Latin American universities using a quantitative approach based on social network analysis (SNA) applied to three public institutions in Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. The findings reveal highly centralized network structures, low overall density, and the presence of informal communities that operate beyond formal organizational boundaries. Strong positive correlations were identified between institutional openness and network cohesion (ρ = 0.81; p < 0.01), as well as between actor centrality and participation in governance processes. These results demonstrate that network configuration directly shapes both knowledge flows and institutional decision-making capacity. Based on this evidence, the study proposes a network-based governance framework that integrates open innovation mechanisms with distributed decision-making structures. The article contributes to the literature by providing empirical validation of the relationship between network dynamics, openness, and governance, offering a scalable model for transforming universities into adaptive, collaborative, and strategically oriented ecosystems.Downloads
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