Showing papers on "Tacit knowledge published in 1995"

The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation

Abstract: เมอพดถงหนงสอท เกยวกบการจดการความรแลวนน คนทอยแวดวง การจดการความรยอมตองรจกหนงสอเลมหนงซงนบไดวาเปนหนงสอคลาสสคทม ผอานและอางองเปนจานวนมาก หนงสอเลมนมชอวา The Knowledge Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation ซงเขยนโดย Ikujiro Nonaka และ Hirotaka Takeuchi สองนกเขยนชาวแดนอาทตย อทย แมวาจะเขยนตงแตป 2538 แตกนบไดวาเปนหนงสอทมคณคาทางวชาการและ มความนาสนใจมากเลมหนง Nonaka และ Takeuchi นนไดกลาวเกยวกบการสรางความรในองคกร ธรกจโดยยกตวอยางบรษทในญปนหลายบรษท เชน ฮอนดา มตซชตะ แคนนอน นสสน เอนอซ เปนตน ในหนงสอเลมนพวกเขาไดเรมจากการกลาวถงความรในฐานะ ทเปนทรพยากรทสาคญตอการสรางความไดเปรยบในการแขงขนขององคกร มการ อางองถงการนยามความหมายของคาวาความรทนกวชาการตางๆ ไดกาหนดไว นอกจากนยงมการนาเสนอทฤษฎการสรางความรองคกร การสรางความรองคกรใน อดศร ณ อบล * Adisorn Na Ubon The Knowledge Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation

A resource‐based approach to the multibusiness firm: Empirical analysis of portfolio interrelationships and corporate financial performance

Abstract: The resource-based view of the firm has provided important new insights into corporate strategy (Barney, 1991; Peteraf, 1993); however, there has been only limited empirical research linked to the theory (e.g., Farjoun, 1994). Although a great deal of work has been done on Corporate diversification, the measures and data typically have a weak connection to resource-based theory. Empirical research on resource-based corporate strategy has been particularly dificult because key concepts such as tacit knowledge or capabilities resist direct measurement. This study is an effort to narrow the gap between theory and empirical research on the multibusiness firm. It develops a resource-based approach to modeling interrelationships among businesses and applies it to the analysis of corporate economic performance. This approach proves to be significant in explaining the financial performance of large manufacturing firms, and it promises to be an important source of insight into corporate strategy.

Innovative Clusters and the Industry Life Cycle

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to link the propensity for innovative activity to cluster spatially to the stage of the industry life cycle. The theory of knowledge spillovers, based on the knowledge production function for innovative activity, suggests that geographic proximity matters most in industries where tacit knowledge plays an important role in the generation of innovative activity. According to the emerging literature on the industry life cycle, tacit knowledge plays the most important role during the early stages of the industry life cycle. Based on a data base that identifies innovative activity for individual states and specific industries in the United States, the empirical evidence suggests that the propensity for innovative activity to concentrate geographically is shaped by the stage of the industry life cycle. The generation of new economic knowledge tends to result in a greater propensity for innovative activity to cluster during the early stages of the industry life cycle, and to be more highly dispersed during the mature and declining stages of the life cycle, particularly after controlling for the extent to which the location of production is geographically concentrated.

Published Papers, Tacit Competencies and Corporate Management of the Public/Private Character of Knowledge

Abstract: This paper focuses on the movement of scientific and technological knowledge. It explores companies' reasons for publishing in the scientific and technical literature; reasons that turn on the need to link with other research organizations. The analysis begins by establishing that firms do indeed publish. Such publishing mediates links with other organizations, serving to signal the presence of tacit knowledge and to build the technical reputation necessary to engage in the barter-governed exchange of scientific and technical knowledge. Similar processes are seen in other areas of technical knowledge exchange. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.

Licensing Tacit Knowledge: Intellectual Property Rights And The Market For Know-How

Abstract: Technology transfer involves more than just the permission to use knowledge covered by patents; the transfer of know-how is critical to the successful utilization of the transferred technology. However, know-how is typically difficult to codify, costly to transfer, and hence, difficult to contract upon. Using a principal-agent model I show that simple arms length contracts can accomplish the transfer know-how. The key to the success of arms length contracts is the complementarity between know-how and patents. The model explains why patents and know-how are bundled together in licensing contracts. It shows why licensing has limitations as a strategy for appropriating rents from innovation. The paper points to the key role that patent scope plays in determining the efficiency of know-how transfer and shows that broader patents can improve the efficiency of technology transfer, even when important components of the technology (know-how) are not protected by patents.

Tacit Knowledge, Weapons Design, and the Uninvention of Nuclear Weapons

Abstract: Tacit Knowledge, embodied in people rather than words, equations, or diagrams, plays a vital role in science. The historical record of the development and spread of nuclear weapons and the recollections of their designers suggest that tacit knowledge is also crucial to nuclear weapons development. Therefore, if design ceases, and if there is no new generation of designers to whom that tacit knowledge can be passed, then in an important (though qualified) sense nuclear weapons will have been uninvented. Their renewed development would thus have some of the characteristics of reinvention rather than simply copying. In addition, knowledge may be lost not only as a result of complete disarmament, but also as a consequence of likely measures such as a nuclear test ban.

Tacit Knowledge and Models of Innovation

Abstract: This paper reviews literature which clarifies the role of tacit knowledge in innovation. It then discusses the reasons for the continuing importance of tacit knowledge, despite rapid advances in codification. Models of innovation, however, appear to overlook the significance of the tacit dimension of knowledge, especially that associated with external advances in scientific knowledge. This is demonstrated by the results of a study of university/industry links in biotechnology, advanced engineering ceramics and parallel processing. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.

The International Transferability of the Firm's Advantages

Abstract: The international transfer of advantages by a firm is a necessary condition for successful international operations. Because of the difference between advantages relative to home competitors and advantages relative to foreign competitors, the source of the advantage transferred abroad need not be something unique to the firm. Rather, it can be a factor or characteristic shared by the industry or nation, or it can also be a non-distinctive asset or skill. Non-transferability, in turn, stems from immobility due to geographical specificity and tacit knowledge. Transfer is neither automatic nor easy and often requires investment in complementary assets. Transferability also affects and is affected by the choice of the mode of operation and the choice of target country. Understanding the concept of transferability of advantages is useful in building bridges between strategic management and international business.

Employee involvement in performance improvement

Abstract: Presents summary findings from qualitative and quantitative research with six major British companies. The original intention was to look at the potential contribution of employee commitment to high quality performance, the difficulties of achieving that commitment and the relationship of the employee contribution to performance improvement. Three particular concepts emerged as pivotal: the distinctive focus on process improvement for generating new forms of interaction at work; the importance of employee tacit knowledge for contributing to process improvement; and a new form of trust based on mutual interest between employees and management as a crucial intermediary variable contributing to commitment.

Pedagogic Practices, Tacit Knowledge and Discursive Discrimination: Bernstein and post- Vygotskian research

Abstract: This article is concerned with the transmission of selected criteria of communicative competence in schools. It is argued that different contexts generate different criteria of competence. The study refers to the account of the social formation of mind developed by and after L. S. Vygotsky and also the model of cultural transmission developed by B. Bernstein. The study draws on these approaches in order to examine the relationship between individual competences and social structure of schools. The focus is on the implications of the organisational structure of the school for pupil talk in specified subjects. The experimental evidence is suggestive of the role of social organisation in schooling.

Practitioner research in context

Abstract: The problems of practitioner researchers, that is, practitioners who are involved in doing research into areas of their practice, are on first examination no different from those of any other researchers. The issues of methodology, research tools and data collection are, it would appear, universal, whatever the background of the researcher. When planning a research project, therefore, the practitioner researcher will invariably consult methodological texts for information and advice. At some levels this information is adequate — techniques such as statistical analysis, for example, seem to be easily applied to all types of research that require them. In other ways, however, most methodological texts will not be helpful to practitioner researchers, or may even serve to perplex them even more.

Using narrative in the study of school administration

Abstract: The use of narrative, which has informed the study of teaching, has only been applied in a limited manner to studies focusing on school administrators. This study of the journal‐keeping practices of school principals provides a glimpse into the use of narrative as a possible methodological strategy for understanding the stories of administrators. It begins to define how personal values, political pressures, and organizational concerns are translated into actions that are intended to solve day‐to‐day school problems. It illuminates tacit knowledge of how administrators sort through their often chaotic lives. Implications of the study for future research are examined.

Stories, Tacit Knowledge, and Psychotherapy Research

Abstract: Narrative accounts of psychotherapy may contribute usefully to scientists as well as practitioners' tacit knowledge.

Using anthropological interview strategies to enhance knowledge acquisition

Abstract: Knowledge engineering is the “bottleneck” in expert systems (ES) development that has prevented widespread ES application. The bottleneck problem is exacerbated by a lack of specific information in published accounting research and accounting information texts describing specific knowledge elicitation activities. That lack of information adversely impacts the ability to develop cost effective ES. A review from the social sciences indicates that knowledge elicitation has been well developed by anthropologists and ethnologists. Application of anthropological interview strategies can overcome this “bottleneck.” Ford and Wood (1992) developed a strategy fof knowledge elicitation based on their research into anthropology and ethnology. Ford and Wood's (1992) four phase strategy addresses the issues of knowledge organization, problem representation, problem solving strategies, and tacit knowledge to improve the elicitation process. This four phase interviewing strategy was applied to an accounting and finance environment and a prototype ES was developed. Examples of the questions used to perform each knowledge elicitation task are presented along with a description of the controls used to assure accuracy in developing the related knowledge base. Using this elicitation strategy, allows one to overcome many of the problems previously identified with knowledge elicitation.

The nature of practitioner knowledge

Abstract: Before going on to discuss the ways in which practitioner research may be developed, it seems useful to take some time in debating the type of knowledge that is the basis of such research. Practitioner knowledge informs research by guiding choice about research questions and research strategies, and a clearer understanding of what practitioner knowledge is (or, more accurately, what people have thought that it is) is a useful starting point.

A strategy of knowledge representation for uncertain problems: modeling domain expert knowledge with patterns

Abstract: Patterns as sets of somehow coherent information are feasible metaphors and tools for representation of weakly structured or unstructured knowledge in an open, infinite world. This view follows the evolutionary theory of mind representation. A practical computational formulation is given with pattern relationships based on the metapattern concept. The pattern space is mostly nonmetric due to the limited dimensional view of infinite dimensional objects. The faults of the metric suggest directions in exploring further knowledge and eliciting tacit knowledge of experts. Man-machine interaction has a special role in the process, explored by cognitive psychology methods and special graphic tools for input-output representation. >

It's research, Jim...

Abstract: This paper considers the urgent need for design to develop a research culture. However, rather than passively adopting the scientific method, design should assert its ‘difference’ as a method of creating knowledge. Unlike science it is driven by values and contains at its core craft skill and tacit knowledge. Arguing that design is a form of research, the author proposes some priorities to develop ‘human centred design research’.

Needs Assessment: Constructing Tacit Knowledge from Practice.

Abstract: This article brings together the research literature on needs assessment, the practical considerations of programmers, and the conceptual approaches which underlie programmers’ decisions. It offers two conceptual approaches ‐ the functional perspective (positivist) and the empowerment perspective (subjectivist). Current practice and the pertinent literature are discussed from both perspectives, while recognizing the pivotal role that programmers have in the process of determining programme needs. Since programmers have a central role in determining needs, this article constructs a description of the tacit decision process used by experienced programmers. The intent s to allow programmers to reflect on their approaches to needs assessment and to become more aware of how they exercise professional judgement.

The Two Cultures in Engineering

Abstract: Throughout almost all the long history of engineering endeavour, there has been a struggle between two lines with strictly incompatible basic assumptions on the nature of humans and the function of technology, on the way of seeing the world, and on the human’s being in the world.

Nature as a Work of Art

Abstract: The topic of the conference is “Towards a Theory of Man and Society”. My own view is that neither humans, nor society nor even nature (whatever that is) can be captured by theories; that the statements, equations, formulae which apparently do the job are successful for historical reasons, not because they reflect an objective world; and that whatever universality we find comes from the actions of scientists, politicians, social reformers who, having immersed themselves in various problem situations and using their experience, cunning and other forms of “tacit knowledge” now happen to treat different cases as if they were the same: universal standards of scientific knowledge and the universality implied by scientific theories (of nature, society, humans) are contingent features of scientific (political, social) practice, they are not transhistorical agencies.

Interorganizational Learning and Information Technology in Global Manufacturing

Abstract: Transaction cost economic theory (Williamson 1975; Grossman and Hart 1986; Klein, Crawford and Alchain 1978) supports expectations that market forces will increase with the proliferation of information technology since coordination costs between firms will decrease (Malone, Yates and Benjamin 1987). Despite the ability of rr to reduce coordination costs, there has been a trend to fewer but closer relationships between firms and their suppliers (Helper 1991; Bakos and Brynjolfsson 1993; Helper and Sako 1995) and arise of value-added partnerships (VAPs) (Johnston and Lawrence 1988), forming "virtual" integrated entities that have many of the advantages without the disadvantages of vertical integration. These VAPs do not usually involve contracts but are based on trust, from reciprocity (Imai, Nonaka and Takeuchi 1985), and a common implicit perspective that arises fromshared knowledge creation and experiences (Nonaka 1991,1994). Tacit knowledge is difficult to articulate, communicate, formalize and encode and encompasses perspectives, lmow-how, expertise and context specific skills ('Winter 1987; Hamel 1991; Nonaka 1994; von Hippel 1994; Stein and Zwass 1995), andthus is noteasilycontractible. However,bargainingpower and risk areanieliorated andcontrolled from the supplier's perspective by the knowledge that the buyer has few alternative suppliers (Bakos and Brynjolfsson 1993) and from the buyer's perspective by investments in IT which can monitor suppliers (Gurbaxani and Whang 1991) yet is not specific to the relationship (Clemons, Row and Reddi 1993). This saidy attempts to deepen our understanding of interorganizational learning in the disk drive industry. To do this, the relationship between organizations and their customers and suppliers is investigated and the role of IT in the new product development learning process is evaluated. 'Ihe study investigates whether there is support for "virtual" interorganizational relationships based on (1) trust, (2) incomplete contracts, and (3) the use ofH for monitoring, coordination and communication; and whether interorganizational learning characterized by improvements in new product time to market is facilitated by electronic virtual integration. The study focuses on the interorganizational aspects of tile new product development process and assesses the strengths and limitations of IT facilitation of interorganizational learning. Preliminary findings from both questionnaires and interviews support the proposition that interorganizational learning is facilitated by information technology. Specifically, the sophistication of electronic links between external entities and the functions of the organization are associated with improvements in (1) new product time to market, (2) supplier lead tilne, and (3) JIT deliveries. On the other hand, the interviews illustrate limitations from facilitation of interorganizational learning by such information technologies as simulations, e-mail, videoconferencing, and EDI. Knowledge that is tacit needs the richness of face-to-face collaboration to build trust and to exchange non-explicit information. Implications for management are to build close relationships first and then facilitate non-tacit interorganizational learning with IT. REFERENCES Bakos, Y., and Brynjolfsson, E. "From Vendors to Partners: Information Technology and Incomplete Contracts in Buyer-Supplier Relationships." Journal of Organizational Computing. Volume 3, Number 3,1993, pp. 301-328. Clemons, E. K.; Row, M. C.; and Reddi, S. P. "The Impact of Information Technology on the Organization of Economic Activity: The 'Move to the Middle' Hypothesis." Journal ofManagement Information Systems, Volume 10, Number 2, 1993, pp. 9-35. Grossman, S. J., and Hart, 0. D. "[he Costs and Benefits of Ownership: A Theory of Vertical and Lateral Integration." Journal of Political Economy, Volume 94, Number 4, 1986, pp. 691-719.

Innovative Clusters and the Industry Life Cycle

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to link the propensity for innovative activity to cluster spatially to the stage of the industry life cycle. The theory of knowledge spillovers, based on the knowledge production function for innovative activity, suggests that geographic proximity matters most in industries where tacit knowledge plays an important role in the generation of innovative activity. According to the emerging literature on the industry life cycle, tacit knowledge plays the most important role during the early stages of the industry life cycle. Based on a data base that identifies innovative activity for individual states and specific industries in the United States, the empirical evidence suggests that the propensity for innovative activity to concentrate geographically is shaped by the stage of the industry life cycle. The generation of new economic knowledge tends to result in a greater propensity for innovative activity to cluster during the early stages of the industry life cycle, and to be more highly dispersed during the mature and declining stages of the life cycle, particularly after controlling for the extent to which the location of production is geographically concentrated.

An investigation into the possibility of using sociological research methodologies for the elicitation of tacit knowledge for building knowledge intensive systems

Abstract: The research notes that deficiencies in knowledge acquisition are impeding the advancement of Knowledge Intensive Systems (KIS), such as Expert Systems (ES) and Decision Support Systems (DSS). Humphreys (1989) maintains the problem is not the quantity of knowledge collected but its quality. Humphreys (1989) contends that 'Knowledge' has too narrow a definition in knowledge acquisition dogma and a wider definition of 'knowledge' capable of handling 'procedural uncertainty' is required. 'Tacit knowledge' by which Polanyi (1967) contends individuals interpret the world appears a fruitful area to widen the definition of knowledge. The subjective nature of tacit knowledge makes its explication problematic, however, it is noted that tacit knowledge has a social aspect (interiorization) which appears amenable to sociological investigation. On the basis of the above it seemed prudent to focus the investigation down to the following research question, 'On the basis of its nature, is there a method whereby at least some tacit knowledge can be explicated for. a) building the knowledge base; b) more accurately predicting or planing for its usage and for setting expectations.' To test the thesis, a pilot investigation was undertaken at a local Housing Association in order to gain first hand experience of knowledge acquisition. Examples of how experts tacitally classify their domain were identified and methods of explicating this knowledge were tentatively formulated. The above resulted in the formulation of a new perspective: traditionally KBS has concerned itself with eliciting knowledge to be embodied in the knowledge base, whereas, IS has concerned itself in gaining the knowledge involved in the systems use/interpretation. Fieldwork was later conducted in the maternity units of two local hospitals in order to test the generalizability of these methods. Five methods for the explication of tacit knowledge were identified. 1) The analysis of the reification of existing systems and the rationality internal to these systems, can be used to explicate tacit knowledge. 2) More than one set of tacit knowledge can be present in one domain. Points where two sets of tacit knowledge interact expose contradictions which can be used as a tool to explicate the tacit knowledge of both groups. 3) The analysis of anecdotes revealed how domains were tacitally delimited and the 'criticality' of tasks within a domain. 4) Action research using a 'mock up' data base revealed tacitally held domain knowledge with implications for micro level criticality, of particular importance to interface design. 5) The thesis identified knowledge acquisition as a method of sociological investigation.

Innovative design and the language of struggle

Abstract: This contribution to design methodology reflects upon the barriers to effectiveness imposed by our tendency to gravitate towards the over-formal in human affairs. We see a correspondingly cleaned-up description of the process of design, a failure to consider its jagged elements and to take proper account of the non-formal in knowledge (e.g. tacit knowledge) and communication. Discipline in methodology is accordingly wrongly equated with formality. The failure of design to be effective is more likely for innovative design rather than routine design.

Issues of Integration

Abstract: Information technology is now all-pervasive; it may be managed, but it cannot be controlled. As managers increasingly have access to the same technology at home as at work, there can be conflicts between individual and organisational modes of use.

Human-computer cooperative problem solving in r &d by supporting users' changing viewpoints and by using tacit knowledge

Abstract: This paper proposes a human-computer cooperative method of supporting and facilitating expert researchers' problem solving in R D the one is for providing the guides which enable users to create new target concepts by changing users' viewpoints and by making much use of tacit knowledge (CCCV method), and the other is for retrieving concrete methods of realizing the new target concepts from a case-base on the basis of analogical knowledge association by utilizing Multi-Dimensional Scaling (KADS method). The CCCV method is designed based on the analysis of the interview protocols on changing viewpoints in actual scientific problem solving, which approach is important for constructing a useful supporting method in R &D.