Intra and Inter-Organizational Knowledge Transfer Processes Identifying the Missing Links

Inspired by the resource- and knowledge-based views, much attention has been focused on knowledge transfer as a process of strategic importance. Still, many open questions regarding knowledge transfer processes need to be addressed to complete our understanding. For instance, what are the barriers to knowledge transfer, and what are the facilitators? A review of the literature reveals that it is divided into two streams: articles on intra-firm knowledge flows and articles on inter-firm knowledge flows. Part of the incompleteness of our understanding of knowledge transfer processes, we argue, derives from the fact that it is unclear in which way intra- and inter-firm knowledge flows are different. The paper investigates three questions: first, how knowledge transfer is defined differently in intra- and inter-firm knowledge flows; second: how barriers to knowledge transfer processes differ; and thirdly: what we need to know to be able to formulate a management view of organizational knowledge flows, whether intra- or inter-organizational. The concluding section argues five research questions whose answers may enable research to formulate a management view of knowledge flows.Review; internal knowledge flows; external knowledge flows; definition; barriers to knowledge flows

Content of fatty acids, vitamin E and carotenoids in milk and herbage as affected by sward composition and period of grazing

The quality of organic milk is affected by feed composition, and especially the high use of legumes has been identified as the reason for high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and tocopherols in organic milk. Four different pastures composed of mainly white clover (WCL), red clover (RCL), lucerne (LUC) or chicory (CIK), respectively, were established to investigate the influence of sward composition on the milk quality of grazing cows. On three occasions during the grazing period (May, June and August), groups of 12 Holstein cows were grazing the pastures for two weeks. About 70% of the daily dry matter intake was pasture, and the remaining dry matter intake was a mixture of oats, hay and minerals (82%, 16%, 2%, respectively). The swards were sampled, and their feed quality as well as their composition of carotenoids, tocopherols and fatty acids was analysed. On each occasion, milk was sampled after two weeks of grazing, and the content of tocopherols and carotenoids as well as the composition of fatty acids was analysed. The overall feed quality expressed as IVOMD (in vitro organic matter disappearance) and NDF (neutral detergent fibre) was affected by period and to a lesser extent by forage type. The content of carotenoids was higher in RCL compared to the other forages, while no effect of period was observed. Alpha-tocopherol was neither affected by period nor by forage type. Fatty acid content, in particular content of linolenic acid, decreased during the grazing period, and it was highest in RCL, intermediate in CIK and lowest in WCL and LUC. Milk yield was neither affected by period nor by forage type. Milk fatty acid composition and content of alpha-tocopherol and carotenoids showed minor differences between forage types and sampling occasions. However, multivariate analysis of these data showed grouping according to sampling occasion, but no clear grouping according to forage types. Despite the differences in composition of forage and in composition of milk, it was not possible to predict milk content of specific fatty acids, carotenoids or tocopherols from the feed content of these compounds. This was partly explained by differences in feed digestibility. Comparison of the milk with previous studies showed higher concentrations of beneficiary compounds such as linolenic acid (12 mg/g fatty acids), conjugated linoleic acid (13 mg/g fatty acids), carotenoids (6 µg/g milk fat) and alpha-tocopherol (21 µg/g milk fat), and it was concluded that all the forages tested could be used in production of a milk with such properties

Existing data sources for clinical epidemiology: The North Denmark Bacteremia Research Database

Bacteremia is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Improving prevention and treatment requires better knowledge of the disease and its prognosis. However, in order to study the entire spectrum of bacteremia patients, we need valid sources of information, prospective data collection, and complete follow-up. In North Denmark Region, all patients diagnosed with bacteremia have been registered in a population-based database since 1981. The information has been recorded prospectively since 1992 and the main variables are: the patient’s unique civil registration number, date of sampling the first positive blood culture, date of admission, clinical department, date of notification of growth, place of acquisition, focus of infection, microbiological species, antibiogram, and empirical antimicrobial treatment. During the time from 1981 to 2008, information on 22,556 cases of bacteremia has been recorded. The civil registration number makes it possible to link the database to other medical databases and thereby build large cohorts with detailed longitudinal data that include hospital histories since 1977, comorbidity data, and complete follow-up of survival. The database is suited for epidemiological research and, presently, approximately 60 studies have been published. Other Danish departments of clinical microbiology have recently started to record the same information and a population base of 2.3 million will be available for future studies

Is the liberal international order in a state of terminal decline?

The disengagement of the United States from multilateral cooperation and a rise in ‘illiberal’ politics across the globe have led many observers to conclude the liberal international order is in a state of decline. Drawing on a new study, Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni and Stephanie C. Hofmann argue that what we may be witnessing is not necessarily the breakdown of the existing order, but rather its transformation into a broader, more inclusive system of global governance, reflecting the need to accommodate new actors and problems

Nationwide trends in pneumonia hospitalization rates and mortality, Denmark 1997–2011

SummaryObjectiveTo provide up-to-date population-based data on nationwide trends in pneumonia hospitalization rates and associated 30-day mortality.MethodsUsing medical databases we identified all in-hospital episodes of pneumonia between 1997 and 2011. We computed age- and sex-standardized hospitalization rates of total and first-time pneumonia-related hospitalization and adjusted 30-day mortality rates by calendar year.ResultsAmong 552,528 pneumonia-related hospitalizations in Denmark between 1997 and 2011, 385,985 (69.9%) were first-time events. Total pneumonia hospitalizations increased by 63%, from 4.96 per 1000 population in 1997 to 8.09 in 2011. Rates of first-time pneumonia per 1000 population increased by 33%, from 3.99 in 1997 to 5.31 in 2011. Pneumonia rates stabilized in the mid-00s but primary pneumonia rates increased 16% from 2008 to 2011, most notably among children and young adults. In patients aged ≥80 years the rate of hospitalizations with secondary pneumonia more than doubled during the study period. Average 30-day mortality remained stable at 13%, but increased slightly over time in patients aged ≥80 years.ConclusionsIn an era of smoking cessation and vaccination efforts, pneumonia hospitalization rates are continuously increasing, largely driven by secondary diagnoses and recurrent pneumonia episodes in elderly patients. Thirty-day mortality remains persistently high

School Leadership Development Programs in Maine: Building Statewide Capacity and Addressing Challenges

We focused this study and report primarily on the development of school leaders, although many of the programs, statewide challenges and needs we discuss also pertain to district leadership development and support

School Leadership Development Programs in Maine: Building Statewide Capacity and Addressing Challenges

We focused this study and report primarily on the development of school leaders, although many of the programs, statewide challenges and needs we discuss also pertain to district leadership development and support