Знання як фактор конкурентних переваг: перспективи України

Introduction. In recent decades, economic growth of the leading world countries have occurred on the basis of information and knowledge embodied in new products, production technologies and management at all stages of production and marketing. Due to the generation and commercialisation of knowledge competitive advantages of individual companies, institutions and national economies, leaders of economic growth are formed and advanced. Considering the current trends in the changing conditions of economic and political space of Ukraine and abroad, which will only intensify fast and efficient reorientation to new markets is relevant for the domestic producers. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role and place of knowledge as an element of intellectual capital of organisations to ensure their competitiveness in light of trends in the global economy; to assess the current position and to outline the problems and perspectives of fast and efficient innovation growth in Ukraine based on knowledge. Results. The role of knowledge in providing competitive advantages of organisations has been outlined. The place of knowledge relevant to intellectual capital of organisations is specified. It has been determined that knowledge as an element of intellectual capital has a dual nature: it can be regarded both as an intellectual resource and as a possibility to implement existing intellectual capital of organisations. The influence of knowledge in the global economy is investigated. Ukraine’s position in the world rankings, which reflects the level of economic development based on intellectual capital and innovation, as well as the status of its competitiveness, has been studied. From these positions, we have specified strengths and weaknesses of the national economy and outlined the prospects of economic growth based on knowledge as an element of intellectual capital.Окреслено роль знань у забезпеченні конкурентних переваг організацій. Уточнено місце знань в інтелектуальному капіталі організації. Визначено, що знання як елемент інтелектуального капіталу, мають дуалістичну природу: їх можна розглядати як інтелектуальний ресурс, а також як можливість реалізації наявного інтелектуального капіталу організації. Досліджено вплив знань на розвиток світової економіки. Досліджено позиції України у світових рейтингах, які відображають рівень економічного розвитку країн на основі інтелектуального капіталу та інновацій, а також стан їхньої конкурентоспроможності. Визначено сильні та слабкі сторони вітчизняної економіки, а також окреслено проблеми та перспективи її зростання на основі знань як елементу інтелектуального капіталу

Знання як фактор конкурентних переваг: перспективи України

Introduction. In recent decades, economic growth of the leading world countries have occurred on the basis of information and knowledge embodied in new products, production technologies and management at all stages of production and marketing. Due to the generation and commercialisation of knowledge competitive advantages of individual companies, institutions and national economies, leaders of economic growth are formed and advanced. Considering the current trends in the changing conditions of economic and political space of Ukraine and abroad, which will only intensify fast and efficient reorientation to new markets is relevant for the domestic producers. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role and place of knowledge as an element of intellectual capital of organisations to ensure their competitiveness in light of trends in the global economy; to assess the current position and to outline the problems and perspectives of fast and efficient innovation growth in Ukraine based on knowledge. Results. The role of knowledge in providing competitive advantages of organisations has been outlined. The place of knowledge relevant to intellectual capital of organisations is specified. It has been determined that knowledge as an element of intellectual capital has a dual nature: it can be regarded both as an intellectual resource and as a possibility to implement existing intellectual capital of organisations. The influence of knowledge in the global economy is investigated. Ukraine’s position in the world rankings, which reflects the level of economic development based on intellectual capital and innovation, as well as the status of its competitiveness, has been studied. From these positions, we have specified strengths and weaknesses of the national economy and outlined the prospects of economic growth based on knowledge as an element of intellectual capital.Окреслено роль знань у забезпеченні конкурентних переваг організацій. Уточнено місце знань в інтелектуальному капіталі організації. Визначено, що знання як елемент інтелектуального капіталу, мають дуалістичну природу: їх можна розглядати як інтелектуальний ресурс, а також як можливість реалізації наявного інтелектуального капіталу організації. Досліджено вплив знань на розвиток світової економіки. Досліджено позиції України у світових рейтингах, які відображають рівень економічного розвитку країн на основі інтелектуального капіталу та інновацій, а також стан їхньої конкурентоспроможності. Визначено сильні та слабкі сторони вітчизняної економіки, а також окреслено проблеми та перспективи її зростання на основі знань як елементу інтелектуального капіталу

Enhancing US competitiveness through Federal scientific and technical information: Issues and opportunities

The possibility of using Federally funded scientific and technical information (STI) to increase U.S. industrial innovation and productivity is discussed. The history of Federally funded research and development in the fields of agriculture and aviation is reviewed as an example of successful government-sponsored research. Issues related to the production and utilization of information are considered and Federal STI policy is outlined. Issues related to the transfer of knowledge between government agencies and industry are examined and a model depicting the transfer of STI in aerospace research and development is presented. Also, consideration is given to the problem of open communication versus restricted access to STI

Developing modern multifunctional agroforestry systems for sustainable intensification

Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock production. It has been identified by the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD, 2008) as a ‘win-win’ approach that balances the production of commodities (food, feed, fuel, fibre, etc.) with non-commodity outputs such as environmental protection and cultural and landscape amenities. This paper will review the potential of agroforestry as part of a multifunctional working landscape in temperate regions, and will consider management and policy implications of widespread adoption of this form of land-use

The integration approach: Integrating technology strategy with business strategy in the airline industry

Technology has emerged as a key component in solving complex strategic issues. Much of the relevant literature recognises technology as the driving force behind the fast rate of change in many markets. Consequently, organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on advanced technology to improve their performance. At the same time organisations need to be extremely flexible in order to meet the demands of customers quickly, accurately and cost-effectively. To benefit from the potential of technology in highly dynamic environments, there is a need to integrate technology strategy with business strategy. This research explores the integration between technology strategy and business strategy in the airline industry. The literature on technology, technology strategy, corporate strategy, business strategy, competitive advantage and the integration of technology strategy with business strategy is critically evaluated and shortcomings of the literature are identified. The literature review was evaluated and identifies gaps and possible future directions. This indicated a need for a systematic way of linking technology and business strategies. Thus an Integration Model is proposed consisting of three stages involving business strategy, competitive strategy and technology strategy. The literature review and the Integration Model identified the importance of technology assessment in formulating a technology strategy and the need for a supportive tool to aid this process

A Total Product System Concept - a case study of the smart (tm) automobile

Increasing demand from consumers plus EU legislation has raised awareness within the automotive production sector of the urgent need to reduce the environmental impacts from the three main stages in vehicle life – car manufacture, car use and end-of life vehicle processing. The paper reviews how the originator and manufacturer of the smart automobile has worked directly with its main system partners to address environmental issues in these three stages while optimizing performance across the parameters of commercial viability. This required the creation of strategic relationships within the supply chain. Overall, this innovative approach is viewed in the context of a total product system. The smart car highlights the following critical areas: use of modularity in product design and production facility layout; emphasis on partner participation from product creation to after-sales; and the use of highly customised build-to-order product system to 'green' the entire supply chain. In particular, the case study compares the process characteristics empoyed at the smart car factory, called 'smartville', with more traditional approaches to vehicle manufacture. It exmaines these issues in a preliminary attempt to establish the actual or potential reduction of environmental impact in the three stages of vehicle life, including the role of main suppliers in this process

Technology upgrading of middle income economies: A new approach and results

We explore issues of measurement for technology upgrading of the economies moving from middle to high-income status. In exploring this issue, we apply theoretically relevant and empirically grounded middle level conceptual and statistical framework based on three dimensions: (i) Intensity (ii) breadth of technological upgrading, and (iii) technology and knowledge exchange. As an outcome, we construct a three-pronged composite indicator of technology upgrading based on 35 indicators which reflect different drivers and patterns of technology upgrading of countries at different income levels. We show that technology upgrading of middle-income economies is distinctively different from that of low and high-income economies. Our results suggest the existence of middle-income trap in technology upgrading - i.e. countries' technology upgrading activities are not reflected in their income levels. Based on the simple statistical analysis we show that the middle-income trap is present in all three aspects of technology upgrading, but their importance varies across different aspects. A trap seems to be higher for 'breadth' of technology upgrading than for 'intensity' of technology upgrading and is by far the highest for the dimension of knowledge and technology interaction with the global economy. Finally, our research shows that technology upgrading is a multidimensional process and that it would be methodologically wrong to aim for an aggregate index

EU Cohesion policy 2007-13 and the implications for Spain : who gets what, when and how?

The recent negotiation of the EU budget and the associated reform of EU Cohesion policy have had major policy implications for Spain, the country in receipt of most Cohesion policy support in the current programming period (2000-06). EU enlargement, combined with relatively rapid growth in Spain, impacted on the eligibility of Spanish regions for Cohesion support while also taking the country as a whole beyond the eligibility threshold for the Cohesion Fund. As a result, based on the original Commission budget proposals of February 2004, Spain was facing a reduced Cohesion policy budget of at least a half (to below €30 billion). This paper first reviews the budget negotiations from a Spanish (Cohesion policy) perspective, identifying the key negotiating goals and the extent to which they were achieved. It then looks at the outcome of the negotiations for Spain, initially at the national level and then in the regions. It highlights the significant differential impacts of the cutbacks in Cohesion policy allocations at the regional level and the pressures on the Spanish government to modulate the regional impact of the budgetary changes. Having considered the direct funding implications of the new Cohesion policy, the second half of the paper is concerned with the regulatory, institutional and economic impacts of the new policy regime. Many of the reform proposals fit with Spanish priorities, not least the new rationale for Cohesion policy (with its stress on the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas) and the new policy architecture (with all regions eligible for some form of support and with a related shift from a geographic to more of a thematic focus). The retention of the key Structural Funds principles has also been welcomed in Spain, unsurprising given the wealth of experience and expertise built up over three (high-spending) programming cycles. As in most Member States, the main regulatory concern relates to the extent to which a more simplified and devolved approach to Funds' implementation will be achieved in practice. As regards policy and institutional impacts, the paper brings together regional views on the new budgetary and regulatory frameworks and reviews how the new regulations are being implemented in practice. A discussion of the developing National Strategic Reference Framework and the related Operational Programmes makes clear that the strong emphasis on the Lisbon agenda is not viewed as a constraint in Spain; rather, it is felt to fit well with recent Spanish developments and goals. Finally, the paper considers the economic implications of the reductions in Cohesion policy support. On the basis of evaluation studies, it highlights the positive impact the Funds have had in the past and the potentially quite varied regional impacts the reductions in funding may have in the future

Modelling a Trusted Mechanism for Knowledge Sharing

Knowledge sharing has been identified as a major focus area for knowledge management. Efforts are made with a view to identify the most effective ways to share knowledge, as a step towards improving organizational performance. In this striving, various factors have been identified as impediments for knowledge sharing, including inadequate organizational structures, sharing unfriendly organizational cultures, and denominational segregation. Related problems may occur when information systems, such as intranets, distributed libraries, document management systems, or groupware applications, are introduced to support knowledge sharing. The extensive use of the IT&C has only added new questions on how to address issues of trust within the present knowledge -rich environment. This paper proposes a new way of approaching knowledge sharing in the context of information and communication technology development. The study provides an overview of the manner and extent in which information assurance concepts of integrity, authenticity, availability, non-repudiation and access-control may be employed to ensure a trusted and effective knowledge sharing process.knowledge sharing; sharing policy; access control; trusted knowledge sharing; barriers in knowledge sharing.

Realising Potential: Disability Confidence Builds Better Business

[Excerpt] ‘Realising potential’ sets out the latest thinking on how disabled people contribute to business success and how business, in the UK and globally, benefits from disability confidence. It provides the information senior business decision makers need to manage and profit from the disability dimension to key business trends: including an aging population, increasingly individualised customer relations, changing working patterns and enabling technology. Business must address the disability component of these trends and develop disability confidence if it is to compete in an increasingly complex environment and create value from difference. ‘Realising potential’ highlights the strategic, commercial, legal, societal, ethical, and professional benefits of getting it right on disability – the six building blocks of any business case for disability confidence