Short description
Focuses on the processes through which knowledge is created, accumulated and put to use in the knowledge-driven global economy. This book's perspective stems from its "knowledge diamond" framework to examine how individuals, communities, organizations and host industries reciprocally influence each other in the course of knowledge work.
Long description
This book focuses on the processes through which knowledge is created, accumulated and put to use in the knowledge-driven global economy. Its unique perspective stems from its "knowledge diamond" framework to examine how individuals, communities, organizations and host industries reciprocally influence each other in the course of knowledge work. Case examples are selected to appeal to an international audience. The book also covers the key topics of project-based, virtual, and global knowledge work and intellectual property. It emphasizes the practices and tools - both behavioral and information technology - through which participants exchange knowledge and generate new learning. Each chapter concludes with summary questions that can be the basis for the reader's personal reflection, or for discussion among classroom or management development audiences.
Review
In this book the authors bridge a gap in the economic literature with a fresh and lively account of the crucial links among workers, knowledge work, and economic performance. Given the multi-dimensional character of the topic, they do not provide all the answers but they pose questions and guide the reader forward. This book sets the agenda on the knowledge-based economy and the complex relations that drive it. Michael Best, University of Massachusetts Lowell This book provides an extraordinary integration of literature on knowledge work, accompanied by a large number of cases and stories to illustrate underlying ideas. I can think of no book that offers such a stimulating and thought-provoking blend of theory and practice. Both present and future managers will greatly enjoy this book. Lars Lindkvist, Linkoping University Both scholarly and streetwise, this book does a great job in showing what knowledge work means for the lives of the people who do it, and the performance of the organizations that try to manage it. Harry Scarborough, University of Warwick A very impressive account of 'knowledge at work' on several levels of analysis: individual, organization, industry, and community; that successfully connects with managerial practice Joerg Sydow, Free University of Berlin This book provides unique insights into the drivers behind the knowledge economy, showing how individuals, groups, organizations and industries create and use knowledge. It provides an important and highly readable contribution to contemporary understanding of knowledge and learning processes. David Gann, Imperial College London For those of us wilting under the weight of new publications on knowledge and knowledge management this book provides a welcome refuge in what is a busy, crowded and often confusing zone. Not only does it provide a broad ranging and thorough review of the key issues, but it also challenges the reader to reflect on them chapter by chapter. The book recognises what too many others don't that all the company procedures and IT-based knowledge management systems are just tools and that people are at the centre of the knowledge based economy. The strength of the book lies in its grounding in real work examples and in its consistent use of a framework - the knowledge diamond - which highlights the interdependencies of four key participants in knowledge work: individuals, communities, organizations and industries. It should be useful to both knowledge workers themselves and those that study them. Dr Tim Brady, University of Brighton
Table of contents
- Preface1. Knowledge Workers and Knowledge WorkKnowledge Work in the Global EconomyWhat Do Knowledge Workers Do?Explicit and Tacit KnowledgeWho Owns the Knowledge?Knowing and LearningThe Interplay of Knowing and LearningKnowledge Work as PracticeCommunication between PracticesTools for Knowledge WorkClossed versus Open PerspectivesParticipants in Knowledge WorkThe IndividualThe CommunityThe OrganizationThe IndustryThe Knowledge DiamondThe Chapters to FollowQuestions for Reflection2. Individual Knowledge at WorkThree Ways of KnowingKnowing-whyKnowing-howKnowing-whomInterdependence among the Ways of KnowingThe Individual and the Knowledge DiamondOne individual and anotherThe individual and the communityThe individual and the organizationThe individual and the industryKeeping the Individual in ViewOther Ways of Knowing?Free Agency and TrustNetworks and Social CapitalTools for IndividualsSummaryQuestions for Reflection3. Community Knowledge at WorkThree Dimensions of Community ActivityJoint enterpriseShared repertoireMutual engagementInterdependence among the DimensionsThe Community and the Knowledge DiamondOne community and anotherThe community and the organizationThe community and the industryThe community and the individualKeeping the Community in ViewOther Meanings of CommunityOrganizational CommunitiesOccupational CommunitiesCommunity Social CapitalThe Returns on Community Social CapitalCommunity and Inter-Community Knowledge WorkTools for CommunitiesSummaryQuestions for Reflection4. Organizational Knowledge at WorkThe Organization's Core CompetenciesOrganizational cultureOrganizational capabilitiesOrganizational connectionsInterdependencies among the Core CompetenciesThe Organization and the Knowledge DiamondOne organization and anotherThe organization and the individualThe organization and the communityThe organization and the industryKeeping the Organization in ViewKnowledge Transfer in Strategic AlliancesExploitation versus ExplorationCodification versus PersonalizationClosed versus Open InnovationTools for OrganizationsSummaryQuestions for Reflection5. Industry Knowledge at WorkThree Attributes of Industry ActivityIndustry milieuIndustry recipesIndustry systemInterdependence among Industry AttributesThe Industry and the Knowledge DiamondOne Industry and anotherThe Industry and the individualThe Industry and the communityThe Industry and the organizationKeeping the Industry in ViewIndustry Regions and Regional AdvantageRegional Closure and BrokerageKnowledge Transfer between IndustriesBusiness EcosystemsTools for IndustriesSummaryQuestions for Reflection6. Projects and Knowledge WorkThe Evolution of Project-Based KnowledgeVariation: The beginnings of exploration:Selection: Between exploration and exploitation:Retention: The shift to exploitation:Projects As Episodes in Knowledge WorkContrasting Project-based Learning ExperiencesLow performance, low learningHigh performance, low learningLow performance, high learningHigh performance, high lear