Establishing Learning Places and Knowledge Flows to Stimulate Innovation

Background

Organizations need to leverage both what they know and external knowledge they have access to. Rogers (1995) noted that some knowledge diffusion studies were based on a dyadic linear model. He suggested a more general model based on a convergence view where multiple participants interact to share and create information to reach mutual understandings, leading to the notion of knowledge diffusion networks. Lundvall and Johnson (1994) also noted that knowledge is a key resource in a dynamic economy, but questioned how market mechanisms allocated knowledge and how this affected learning, as knowledge has to be refreshed and applied to extract value from it. To explore this question they characterized two kinds of knowledge:

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  Explicitly held forms of knowledge that may be easily shared: know-what (data and facts) and know-why (scientific knowledge about how things work).

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  Tacit forms of knowledge held by individuals that require personal interaction to share: know-who (specific and selective social relations) and know-how (the capability to do different kinds of things at a practical level).

Lundvall and Johnson also noted “The rather peculiar know-who form of knowledge is introduced here because innovation is basically an interactive process. To know key persons may be more important to the success in innovation than knowing basic scientific principles. The interactive and cumulative character of the innovation process also makes know when and know-where important categories of knowledge. In the learning economy, which continuously introduces novelty, questions about time and space are of strategic importance for successful innovation. When and where are there good chances to introduce and diffuse innovations?” (p28). More recently, Johanssen and Olsen (2010) suggested that a non-traditional organizational logic is needed to fit with the knowledge economy environment: one founded on modular flexibility, front-line organizing, providing individual solutions through technology plus connect and supply orientations. They also argue that cooperation structures need to be based on global standards of competence and coopetition. The focus is on integrated solutions drawing on flexible networks, even if this may mean incorporating a competitors’ product, and on learning with and from customers.