Emerald | VINE

Managing knowledge processes for value creation

Giovanni Schiuma, Daniela Carlucci, Antonio Lerro — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Nowadays organizations have realized that knowledge, its effective use and the fast acquisition and utilization of new knowledge represent the only source of sustainable competitive advantage. In fact, an effective exploitation and management of knowledge resources are the basis of the development of those capabilities that ground the organization's capacity to deliver successfully targeted value propositions. During recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the processes of management of knowledge resources. Currently the debate on knowledge management processes is still lively. The dynamics which link knowledge processes to value creation, the valuation of their impact on organizational performance and the role of some organizational and technological resources as enablers or restraints of successful knowledge management emerge as relevant topics to be investigated. This introduction to the special issue aims to develop some theoretical and managerial reasons explaining the importance of an effective management of knowledge processes to deal with the uncertainty, change, and turbulence of the current socio-economic scenario. Design/methodology/approach – The approaches, evidences and insights discussed in this introduction are largely based on the discussion of the topics of the conference “International forum on knowledge assets dynamics” organized in June 2010 in Matera, Italy. At this conference, leading experts discussed the challenges and practices of measuring and managing knowledge resources to support value creation and business performance improvement of organisational systems. Findings – The outcomes of this introduction and of all the contributions to the special issue reflect the emerging discussion about the role of knowledge processes and, more generally, of the management of knowledge resources, in value creation. This discussion is largely focused on the dynamics at the base of the translation of knowledge processes and resources into value, highlighting properly approaches and tools or application in different contexts of analysis. Originality/value – This introduction, as well as all the contributions to the special issue, deal with different aspects which are important in the discussion both of the role played by knowledge processes in achieving outstanding organisational performance and the approaches, tools, methods and techniques to structure, organize knowledge resources and optimize their use in order to support effective organizational processes execution and value creation.

Balancing exploration and exploitation in complex environments

Anca Bocanet, Cristina Ponsiglione — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The objective of this study is to model and analyze the exploration-exploitation dynamics of March's model of mutual learning in a complex environment. By enhancing the above mentioned model, the paper seeks to propose a new agent-based model of mutual learning within an organization. Design/methodology/approach – The paper replicates March's model of simulating learning within an organization using an agent-based simulation approach, and extends it by modelling the problem space as a fitness landscape using Kauffman's NK model technique. Findings – It was found that it is impossible to find a right balance between exploration and exploitation using the communication structure of March's model. Practical implications – The proposed model could help create a virtual laboratory for experimenting organizations' behavior in a complex co-evolving environment. This virtual laboratory may be used in the future to support the decision-making process of managers and policy makers. Originality/value – Designing the external environment as a fitness landscape helps in discovering what effect the environmental complexity has on the emerging balance between exploration and exploitation. It is the first study to design the environment of a model which analyzes the mutual learning between an organization and its members as a complex non-linear space.

The impact of organizational culture on the job satisfaction of knowledge workers

Barbara Bigliardi, Alberto Ivo Dormio, Francesco Galati, Giovanni Schiuma — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The objective of the paper is twofold: first, to test a framework of the relationship between satisfaction of knowledge workers and organizational culture, developed in a previous theoretical study, within a specific industry, specifically, the pharmaceutical one; second, to investigate which of the constructs that constitute such a framework are the most important in the above mentioned industry. Design/methodology/approach – In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the authors adopted multiple case study based research. The case studies were carried out with a series of semi-structured interviews, with all the knowledge workers operating in the R&D business functions of each company, over a two-month period during May and June 2009. Findings – The main result of the research is the validation of the research framework by knowledge workers operating in the pharmaceutical industry. It emerged that a bureaucratic organizational culture has a negative influence on knowledge workers' job satisfaction, while innovative or supportive organizational culture have a positive impact. Moreover, the study makes it possible to understand which aspects of their job satisfaction are more influenced by the organizational culture. Practical implications – Results indicate to managers the essential features of an organizational culture that positively influence job satisfaction, and in particular to introduce in the industries (like the pharmaceutical one) where R&D is the key activity, carrier ladders and forms of participation for the knowledge workers. Moreover, they help managers in detecting the things to be improved in the organization in order to improve the job satisfaction of their knowledge workers. Originality/value – Since only few studies have investigated the link between the organizational culture on knowledge workers' satisfaction, in general and within a specific industry in particular, the paper adds elements of discussion to the debate about the evaluation of the impact of organizational culture on job satisfaction of knowledge workers.

Insurances for human capital risk management in SMEs

Irinja Mäenpää, Raimo Voutilainen — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how insurances can be used in the management of human capital risks. The issue is highlighted in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – Building on literature on intellectual liabilities, the paper provides a comprehensive picture of human capital related risks, emphasising their effects on SMEs. The issue is analysed empirically through a qualitative case study of an insurance company. Findings – The paper divides the identified human capital risks into insurable and uninsurable risks, determining a specific insurance solution for each insurable risk. Based on the results, pension, accident, health, life, liability and crime insurances are the most useful types of insurances for the management of human capital risks. Research limitations/implications – The generalisability of the findings is limited by the methodological choice. As the study is conducted from the viewpoint of an insurance provider, it does not consider the effectiveness of the suggested insurances in practice. Thus, more empirical studies on the approach are called for. Practical implications – This paper creates a basis for the better recognition of the various human capital risks in companies and describes how insurances can be applied for the management of these risks. Originality/value – In addition to considering human capital risks as an entity, the paper contributes to the research on knowledge asset protection by examining a practical risk management method for these risks. According to the authors' knowledge, insurances have not been introduced in this context before.

A debate dashboard to enhance online knowledge sharing

Luca Iandoli, Ivana Quinto, Anna De Liddo, Simon Buckingham Shum — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – In this paper the aim is to present Debate Dashboard, an online collaborative platform designed to support distributed knowledge management and decision making. The platform integrates an argument mapping tool with visual widgets with the objective of enhancing collective sense-making and mutual understanding as well as to compensate for the costs of mediated communication in virtual collaborative environments. Design/methodology/approach – The design of Debate Dashboard is based on the theory of common ground according to which participants involved in a conversation build mutual understanding thanks to the exchange of different types of feedback. Using the concept of grounding cost, the authors identified several features of the Dashboard supposed to favour mutual understanding and knowledge sharing. Such features have been implemented through six visual widgets selected through a benchmarking of currently available visualization tools. Findings – The paper discusses the limitations and advantages of online argumentation to support online discussions and presents a review of current visualization tools. The design of a new platform able to integrate online argumentation and visualization technologies is described and it is argued that Debate Dashboard will improve online collaboration in many respects especially in terms of supporting the construction of shared knowledge representations for geographically distributed collaborative teams. Originality/value – First, the work adds to the debate on the development of online argumentation platforms by offering an alternative theoretical perspective based on language and conversational studies. Second, it proposes for the first time to integrate argumentation and visualization technologies in the same tool to create an augmented collaborative platform able to overcome the limitations of both traditional online collaboration technologies, such as forums and wikis, as well as the criticalities associated with the use of argumentation technologies.

Elucidation and enhancement of knowledge and technology transfer business models

Réjean Landry, Nabil Amara — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework identifying and differentiating how knowledge and technology transfer organizations (KTTOs) create value from how they capture and transfer value. Design/methodology/approach – The argument of the paper is developed in two steps. First, the knowledge and technology transfer process is conceptualized as a value chain. Second, the internal KTTO's value chain perspective is extended by integrating the knowledge and technology transfer value chain into a business model conceptual perspective in order to emphasize the value captured by the clients of KTTOs. Then, the authors examine how KTTO managers could describe, benchmark and improve their business models by altering or reinforcing how they are positioned with respect to the interdependent elements of their business model. Finally, the elements of the conceptual framework are used to derive emblematic types of business models and provide exemplary cases for each emblematic case. Findings – Looking at KTTO management under the lenses of business models invites KTTO managers to look at knowledge and technology transfer as a whole. It suggests to managers to invest resources not only in the improvement of these elements where their organizations are strong, but also in these elements that constitute their weakest elements in the business model. Failure to improve the weakest elements of the business model might compromise the overall knowledge and technology transfer capabilities and performances of KTTOs. Originality/value – The conceptual framework developed in this paper is intended as a starting point to explore how KTTO managers may be more effective in creating and capturing value from knowledge transfer.

Refining information and knowledge by social media applications: Adding value by insight

Vilma Vuori, Jussi Okkonen — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The paper seeks to discuss how traditional knowledge refining processes differ from those enabled by using social media applications. By addressing the topic with practical examples the paper aims to outline how collaborative work setting and social media tools are used in refining unstructured and unmanaged knowledge for value adding purposes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual analysis with reflections on current practices. Findings – The paper proposes that the collaborative setting provided by social media applications enables sharing of different insights: combining mutual insights as well as discussing conflicting insights helps to form a more multifaceted and truthful understanding on issues. Utilizing social media applications as collaborative tools also enriches information as it can also contain elements that are not predestined as in common business information systems. Social media applications empower employees to collaborate and contribute to intra-organizational information flows in a more informal manner. In addition to factual information insights to it can be shared and discussed. Originality/value – The paper studies the idea of social media, as well as social media tools, from different perspectives, such as leisure or user perspectives or context. However, interest has increased toward usability of such tools also in working or business contexts. The paper points out that social media applications can aid collaboration and informal participation and thus leverage refining of information and knowledge.

The influence of intellectual capital on global initiatives

Ya-Hui Ling — 2012-02-10 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to explain a firm's global initiatives from the intellectual capital (IC) perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study presents empirical evidence on the relationships among intellectual capital, business environment, and global initiatives using a sample of firms located in Taiwan but competing in the global market. Altogether 168 companies took part in the study. Findings – The findings have confirmed that intellectual capital is positively associated with a firm's global initiatives. There is also moderating effect of the business environment on the relationship between intellectual capital and global initiatives. The important role of intellectual capital is highlighted for firms intending to compete in the international arena. The importance of human capital (top management teams' visionary leadership) also increases as the environment becomes more dynamic. Originality/value – The dimensions and measures provided by this study might serve as a starting point for further studies on the management of intellectual capital in the international context. With a longitudinal study design and large-scale questionnaire survey, the study might enrich the existing literature by identifying the intellectual capital-global initiatives relationship and exploring the moderating effect of the environment on the intellectual capital-global initiatives relationship. The study might further contribute to the literature by focusing on Taiwan rather than a developed Western economy as employed in related work.

2011 Awards for Excellence

2012-02-10 00:00:00.0