Managing the KM Trade-Off: Knowledge Centralization versus Distribution

KM is more an archipelago of theories and practices rather than a monolithic approach. We propose a conceptual map that organizes some major approaches to KM according to their assumptions on the nature of knowledge. The paper introduces the two major views on knowledge ­objectivist, subjectivist - and explodes each of them into two major approaches to KM: knowledge as a market, and knowledge as intellectual capital (the objectivistic perspective); knowledge as mental models, and knowledge as practice (the subjectivist perspective). We argue that the dichotomy between objective and subjective approaches is intrinsic to KM within complex organizations, as each side of the dichotomy responds to different, and often conflicting, needs: on the one hand, the need to maximize the value of knowledge through its replication; on the other hand, the need to keep knowledge appropriate to an increasingly complex and changing environment. Moreover, as a proposal for a deeper discussion, such trade-off will be suggested as the origin of other relevant KM related trade-offs that will be listed. Managing these trade-offs will be proposed as a main challenge of KM

Insight into Intra-organizational Learning and Knowledge Management

Intra-Organizational learning and knowledge management has increasingly becomes a subject of extreme importance as organizations round the globe are working on increasing their productive efficiency through continuously working on their human and intellectual capital. The core focus of this paper is to take into account the core issues that hamper and accelerate the process of knowledge generation, codification, retention and transfer within an organization. The role of social networking, individual relationships, experiencing, multi-tasking are the focal areas that have been taken into consideration while studying the knowledge management process at different levels within an organization

Managing the complexity: decision making process on sustainable mobility

Starting from the literature on decision processes in public choices, aim of the paper is to suggest an integrated methodology to get a choice as much as possible shared and participated joining two different approaches. On one hand there is the “classic†or top-down approach based on statistical data analysis and handling, having as target the definition of some synthetic indicators. On the other hand there is a bottom-up approach based on the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) logical framework and on citizens participation. Particularly the paper will apply the above mentioned methodology to face the theme of sustainable mobility showing at the end the results obtained in the analysis of the 13th District of the Municipality of Rome. The choice of sustainable mobility as a target of decision process lies on the fact that actually it is included with a high priority in the agenda of European institutions and (local and national) administrative governments. The proposed model does not provide a solution, but rather defines a process that is able to recognize the particularities of different territorial contexts to yield appropriate, case specific solutions.

Knowledge Management What Can Organizational Economics Contribute?

Knowledge management has emerged as a very successful organization practice and has been extensively treated in a large body of academic work. Surprisingly, however, organizational economics (i.e., transaction cost economics, agency theory, team theory and property rights theory) has played no role in the development of knowledge management. We argue that organizational economics insights can further the theory and practice of knowledge management in several ways. Specifically, we apply notions of contracting, team production, complementaries, hold-up, etc. to knowledge management issues (i.e., creating and integration knowledge, rewarding knowledge workers, etc.) , and derive refutable implications that are novel to the knowledge management field from our discussion.Transaction costs, organizational economics

Matching knowledge management and human capital management: Towards an integrative framework

The rapidly increasing economic dynamics that global market poses to modern organizations combined with the emergency to attract, develop and retain the best human capital (HC) led to more effective approach to knowledge management (KM). HC becomes the center of KM while the distribution of knowledge among organization's employees is considered its main activity. Effective KM use requires the ability to choose among all skills and knowledge those which contribute to creation of organizational key processes and activities. KM and Human Capital Management (HCM), two highly popular topics in current management discussions, are often bracketed together. An extensive literature review shows that knowledge plays a background role in HCM discussions, emphasizing the impact of KM practices on leadership, creativity, motivation, new ideas generation, recruitment, and employee competence. Some gaps are diagnosed in terms of absence of literature regarding an holistic approach to HC and KM processes, given the fragmentation on findings between the research in the two areas. The literature review of both KM and HC provides a deeper understanding of how KM practices contribute to develop, retain and renew organization’s HC, as part of a broader and more integrated effort to manage and develop human capability for business performance. Taken together, these two research domains are matched in a framework that intends to support the implementation of KM practices in order to promote HC development. A survey was administered to eight portuguese healthcare institutions to infer the most relevant KM practices to impact HC level contributing to the framework

Lost in Knowledge Translation: Moving Towards a Clearer Picture? Mapping the conceptualisation of knowledge translation, transfer and exchange across public health in the North East

Over recent decades the concept of evidence-based practice in health care has become part of the language of practitioners, policymakers and researchers. However, a gap between the production of research evidence and use of this evidence in practice has been identified, leading to repeated calls for solutions which will render the process more effective and efficient. It is increasingly acknowledged that getting evidence into, or out of, policy and practice arenas is not a straightforward or a linear process and to view it as such may be both misleading and overly simplistic. The term knowledge translation (KT) is used to describe the work required to close or bridge this gap and is becoming common vocabulary. However, as a concept KT (and related terms) are not yet clearly defined, nor are there agreed meanings in many areas including public health. While there is a growing body of literature exploring these concepts, using this evidence to inform public health practice, strategy, research and education is often difficult given the diverse range of sources, the worldviews upon which they are based and the need for local ‘contextual fit’. This study was commissioned by Fuse to explore how various stakeholder groups (e.g. practitioners, commissioners, academics, researchers, local authority/government) make sense of and experience the concepts and processes of knowledge translation, transfer and exchange. The study aims were to: Undertake a rapid review of recent literature syntheses pertaining to knowledge translation, exchange and transfer in public health, Explore and articulate (map) stakeholder conceptualisations and interpretations of knowledge translation, exchange and transfer in public health

A Research Odyssey: From interlocking network model to extraordinary cities

The paper charts a personal research journey that begins with the specification of the interlocking network model for cities and concludes with interpretation of cities as truly extraordinary. Three products of this model are discussed. First, this very specific model has generated a mini-literature on cities in globalisation and this is briefly outlined. Second, the model has been interpreted as a generic description of inter-city relations - central flow theory - and this is illustrated using historical examples. Third, there is a discussion of criticisms of the model and the relevance of green networks of extraordinary cities for thinking about the future of humanity