Series on Innovation and Knowledge - Vol. 11 Knowledge An Interdisciplinary Perspective Sajjad M Jasimuddin Aberystwyth University, UK World Scientific NEW JERSEY LONDON SINGAPORE BEIJING SHANGHAI HONG KONG TAIPEI CHENNAI
Contents Preface List of Abbreviations List of Tables List of Figures Acknowledgments vii xxi xxiii xxv xxvii Chapter 1 Knowledge in an Organizational Context 1 Knowledge Objectives 1 1.1 Introducing the Chapter 1 1.2 The Notion of Knowledge from a Philosophical 3 Perspective 1.3 Organizational Knowledge Defined 5 1.4 Knowledge Hierarchy 9 1.5 Perspectives on Knowledge in Organizations 14 1.6 The Role of Knowledge in an Organizational Context 18 1.7 Concluding Summary 20 Further Reading 23 References 23 Chapter 2 Strategic Role of Knowledge 31 Knowledge Objectives 31 2.1 Introducing the Chapter 31 xm
xiv Knowledge : An Interdisciplinary Perspective 2.2 Relevant Topics Associated with Knowledge 33 2.2.1 Organizational Knowledge and Its Typology 34 2.2.2 Knowledge Transfer 35 2.2.3 Knowledge Creation 36 2.2.4 Knowledge Storage 37 2.3 Knowledge Defined 38 2.4 Knowledge Process 45 2.4.1 Acquisition of Organizational Knowledge 47 2.4.2 Creation of Organizational Knowledge 48 2.4.3 Storage of Organizational Knowledge 49 2.4.4 Transfer of Organizational Knowledge 49 2.4.5 Application of Organizational Knowledge 51 2.5 The Role of Knowledge in 51 Organizations 2.6 Concluding Summary 56 Further Reading 59 References 59 Chapter 3 Debates in the Knowledge Field 71 LCnowledge Objectives 71 3.1 Introducing the Chapter 71 3.2 Lack of a Homogeneous Definition for 74 Organizational Knowledge 3.3 Lack of a Universal Definition for Knowledge 75 3.4 Knowledge : A Multidisciplinary Subject 76 or a Specific Ideology? 3.5 Knowledge : A Universal Paradigm or a 79 Fad? 3.6 Perspectives on Knowledge : A 86 Technical-Centric or Social-Centric View? 3.6.1 Perspectives on Knowledge : 88 The Social-Centric View 3.6.2 Perspectives on Knowledge : 88 The Technical-Centric View
Contents xv 3.6.3 Combined Approach to Knowledge 89 : The Socio-Technical Approach 3.7 Concluding Summary 90 Further Reading 93 References, 93 Chapter 4 The Sources of Organizational Knowledge 99 Knowledge Objectives 99 4.1 Introducing the Chapter 99 4.2 Existing Theories of Organizational Knowledge 100 4.2.1 Polanyi's Theory of Knowledge 101 4.2.2 Nonaka's Theory of Knowledge 102 4.2.3 Spender's Theory of Knowledge 106 4.2.4 Bladder's Theory of Knowledge 107 4.3 Gaps in Theories of Organizational Knowledge 109 4.3.1 Sources of Organizational Knowledge 111 4.3.2 The Role of External Sources of 112 Organizational Knowledge 4.3.3 The Organizational Knowledge of Various 113 Stakeholders Outside an Organization 4.4 Alternative View of Knowledge Typology 116 4.5 Concluding Summary 120 Further Reading 121 References 121 Chapter 5 Organizations in the Knowledge-Based 125 Economy Knowledge Objectives 125 5.1 Introducing the Chapter 125 5.2 The Notion of the Knowledge-Based Economy 128 5.2.1 Features of the Agrarian, Industrial and 129 Knowledge Societies 5.3 Organizations in the Knowledge Economy 133 5.3.1 Typology of Organizations Based on 134 Knowledge Intensity
xvi Knowledge : An Interdisciplinary Perspective 5.3.2 Knowledge-Based Organization (KBO) 134 5.3.3 Knowledge-Intensive Firm (KIF) 135 5.3.4 Professional Service Firm (PSF) 140 5.3.5 Knowledge-Creating Company (KCC) 141 5.4 Knowledge Intensity Continuum 142 5.4.1 The Notion of Hybrid Organizations in the 145 Knowledge Economy 5.5 Concluding Summary 147 Further Reading 148 References 148 Chapter 6 Disciplinary Roots of Knowledge 155 Knowledge Objectives 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Introducing the Chapter Genesis of the Knowledge Field Knowledge : An Offshoot of a Single Discipline or Many Disciplines? Connections Between Knowledge and Other Disciplines Concluding Summary 6.5 Further Reading References 155 155 157 158 164 169 170 170 Chapter 7 Knowledge and Information 175 Knowledge Objectives 175 7.1 Introducing the Chapter 175 7.2 The Notion of Information 177 7.3 The Origin of Information 178 7.4 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 182 Knowledge and Information 7.4.1 Knowledge as an Offshoot 183 of Information
Contents xvii 7.4.2 Information and Knowledge 185 as Complementary to Each Other 7.5 The Intersection Between Knowledge 187 and Information 7.6 Concluding Summary 197 Further Reading 199 References 200 Chapter 8 Knowledge and Organizational 205 Learning LCnowledge Objectives 205 8.1 Introducing the Chapter 205 8.2 Organizational Learning Defined 209 8.3 Origins of Organizational Learning 213 8.4 The Role of Organizational Learning 213 8.5 Properties of Organizational Learning 215 8.6 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between Knowledge 218 and Organizational Learning 8.6.1 Knowledge as an Outcome 220 of Organizational Learning 8.6.2 Knowledge and Organizational 221 Learning as Two Distinct Disciplines 8.6.3 Knowledge and Organizational 222 Learning as Complementary to Each Other 8.7 Linkage Between Knowledge and 224 Organizational Learning 8.8 Concluding Summary 232 Further Reading 234 References 235 Chapter 9 Knowledge and Strategic 245 Knowledge Objectives 245 9.1 Introducing the Chapter 245
xviii Knowledge : An Interdisciplinary Perspective 9.2 Strategic Defined 249 9.3 The Origins of Strategic 252 9.4 Key Areas of Strategic Research 254 9.5 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 261 Knowledge and Strategic 9.5.1 Knowledge as a Key Element 262 of Strategic 9.5.2 The Strategic Role for 264 Knowledge Implementation 9.5.3 Strategic and Knowledge 266 as Complementary to Each Other 9.6 Linkage Between Strategic and 267 Knowledge 9.7 Concluding Summary 273 Further Reading 274 References 275 Chapter 10 Knowledge and Innovation 285 LCnowledge Objectives 285 10.1 Introducing the Chapter 285 10.2 Innovation Defined 287 10.3 Terminology Associated with Innovation 289 10.4 Typologies of Innovation 295 10.4.1 Typology of Innovation Based on the Nature 295 of Innovation 10.4.2 Typology of Innovation Based on the Form 297 of Innovation 10.5 The Role of Innovation 298 10.6 Key Areas in Innovation 301 10.7 Scholars' Views on the Connection Between 303 Knowledge and Innovation 10.8 Linkage Between Knowledge and 308 Innovation
Contents xix 10.9 Concluding Summary 313 Further Reading 316 References 317 Chapter 11 Knowledge Challenges 325 Knowledge Objectives 325 11.1 Introducing the Chapter 325 11.2 A Brief Overview 326 11.3 The Challenges of Knowledge 329 11.4 Epilogue 342 Further Reading 343 References 344 Bibliography 349 Index ' 397