Evolution and relocation in fashion-led Italian districts: evidence from two case-studies

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the debate about how, in advanced countries, industrial districts specialised in traditional manufacturing industries evolve as a consequence of new challenges linked to the globalization process. Using a multiple case study design, the study examines the evolution of two fashion-led Italian districts: the Montebelluna sportswear system and the Vibrata-Tordino-Vomano clothing district. Our findings reveal that cluster firms’ ability to shift from manufacturing to other activities providing higher returns along the global value chain is key to understanding the effect of globalization and relocation processes on the cluster's long-term competitiveness. As illustrated in this study, weak learning districts are the most threatened while innovative districts are able to enact a selective process of relocation, substituting outplaced activities with more valuable ones and attracting inward investments.     

Italian industrial districts as cognitive systems: Are they still reproducible?

Adopting a knowledge-based perspective, this study develops a framework of how Italian industrial districts (IDs) operate and evolve as cognitive systems. First, we analyse the mechanisms that facilitate knowledge diffusion across firms within IDs, the enabler of cross-firm knowledge transfer (absorptive capacity) and the process of producing new knowledge by combination. Within this analysis, we consider the formation of new firms resulting from the break-away of human resources from existing district firms (spin-offs) as a particular form of knowledge transfer and production within districts. Knowledge production by combination may take place not only within boundaries of IDs, but also involve external sources. We suggest that innovations made by combining internal and external knowledge have played an important role in shaping the evolutionary trajectories of IDs. Finally, again from the cognitive perspective, we address the issue of how globalization impacts on district systems, concentrating on the positive role that two different types of local actors play in their reproduction and evolution: the global–local firms and institutions providing knowledge-intensive business services.     

知识联盟与企业知识转移

知识联盟是现代企业战略联盟的一种重要形式。企业在组建知识联盟的过程中,可促使企业之间隐含性知识的转移,并且还能学习和创造新的交叉知识。企业隐含性知识能否在知识联盟的过程中实行有效转移,组织学习具有非常重要的意义,企业需要有明确的学习目标和较强的学习能力。     

Industrial districts: something more than a neighbourhood

The expansion of globalization has led to the relocation of many industrial activities. In particular, this process has affected industrial districts in the traditional industries. However, different districts vary in their capacity to retain activities. The robustness of industrial districts and, in consequence, their capacity to retain core activities at home and thus avoid painful relocations can be analysed by means of the relational capital developed at the district level. The relational structure within the district affects and determines the capacity of innovation of the district firms. This paper analyses the extent to which innovation depends on the amount of relational capital developed at the district level. We have addressed this proposition using internal human mobility, shared vision and trusting co-operation as indicators of the amount and quality of relational capital. In order to support theoretical propositions we have conducted empirical research comparing different industrial districts in the Valencian region of Spain. Research findings suggest a significant association between social capital variables and innovation outcomes. In consequence, these factors can facilitate retaining activities in districts.     

基于耗散结构论的高校隐性知识转移机理分析和模型研究

高校作为知识经济时代知识的主要生产与传播基地,无论是知识的深度还是广度都是企业和其他机构所无法比拟的。高校竞争优势的创建和维持取决于知识转移的绩效,尤其是隐性知识转移的绩效。同时,高校隐性知识转移的效率和效果又具有外部性,这种外部性对整个社会、经济的发展有着重要影响。本文从耗散结构论的视角,运用耗散结构和熵理论的相关知识,分析了高校隐性知识转移的关键影响因素和主要转移途径,从定量的角度对高校隐性知识转移的机理进行了阐释,并结合高校的三大功能提出了高校隐性知识转移模型。     

论缄默知识在集群创新系统中的传递

产业集群创新系统作为产业创新的助推器,其重要的特点是在其网络下的知识的传递,产业集群内部的知识分为两类,显性知识与缄默知识。缄默知识为产业技术创新成功的重要知识资源,本文对缄默知识的概念做了简单的介绍,并重点研究了其在集群创新系统中的流动与传递,进一步说明了集群创新系统对缄默知识的促进作用。     

Territorial systems and relocation: Insights from eight cases in Japan

This paper investigates the evolution patterns of eight territorial systems in Japan during the period of industry relocation. Multiple case study methodology was applied. Data were collected through interviews with entrepreneurs and local government officials. Based on the findings that reveal adaptation processes in which manufacturing firms are involved, we propose a three-stage evolutionary model to conceptualize the changes that are taking place in Japan's territorial systems. We argue that the transactional relationships are evolving towards more socialized relationships and that these relationships are evolving towards more formalized, knowledge-based innovation networks.     

The Relationships Between Adhocracy and Clan Cultures and Tacit Oriented KM Strategy

Abstract

In this study knowledge is considered as explicit and tacit; and in line with this, knowledge management strategy that focuses on tacit knowledge is identified as tacit oriented knowledge management strategy. Organizational culture, which is one of the crucial antecedents of knowledge management process, is categorized into four types by using two dimensions—external versus internal orientation and formal versus informal organizational process—as adhocracy, clan, market and hierarchy. And the relationships between adhocracy, and clan culture and tacit oriented knowledge management strategy are investigated. Also the industrial environment hostility is used as a moderator between adhocracy and clan cultures, and tacit oriented knowledge management strategy.

According to the regression analyses, adhocracy and clan cultures have positive effects on tacit oriented knowledge management strategy; and the impact (magnitude) of adhocracy culture is approximately the same as the clan culture on tacit oriented knowledge management strategy. Also it was found that greater industry environment hostility, the greater relationship between adhocracy and clan cultures, and tacit oriented knowledge management Strategy.     

Exploring the effect of buyer engagement on green product innovation: Empirical evidence from manufacturers

In this study, we are interested in how export firms organize knowledge management and increase product innovation performance. Prior studies have concluded that knowledge transfer from external actors leads to operational performance outcomes; others have questioned the positive influence of buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities on innovation performance. Drawing on absorptive capacity, we aim to offer a better understanding, how export firms as recipients of knowledge resources, organize their internal capabilities in order to realize firm-level product innovation. This empirical study examines the interplay of buyer-driven knowledge activities, resource acquisition and combining, and product innovation outcomes in the context of Pakistani export firms. Drawing on survey data from 239 export-manufacturing firms, we test hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Our findings show that buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities play a crucial role in enhancing export firms in absorbing and combining resources that lead to product innovation. The pragmatic suggestion of the research suggests that managers look closely at developing a culture of involvement with their buyers that promotes the development of knowledge resources. The results of this study have research, policy, and managerial implications.     

Strategic Organizational Change: Exploring the Roles of Environmental Structure,Internal Conscious Awareness and Knowledge*

ABSTRACT We argue that strategic organizational change is best viewed as a multidimensional phenomenon consisting of various degrees of environmental structure and internal conscious awareness. And, by combining this conceptualization of change with a model of organizational knowledge transfer developed by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995 ), we gain a better understanding of the types of change strategies that firms will pursue, the processes they should use to implement these strategies and the likely performance outcomes from these strategies. Specifically, we suggest that the levels of tacit and explicit knowledge needed to implement the new strategies are key determinants of firm performance following strategic organizational change.     

企业内默会知识共享激励机制构成要素研究

企业内默会知识的共享能够为知识运用、知识创新和企业竞争优势的形成奠定重要基础。但是,默会知识并不能自然地实现共享,只有在员工、制度和企业层面形成一定的知识共享驱动力,才能推动知识在企业内的扩散、转移和共享。这种驱动力的形成需要在企业内建立良好的激励机制,激励机制构成要素的完善程度直接影响员工间默会知识共享的驱动力和实际效果。默会知识共享的激励机制可以从企业文化、薪酬机制、知识管理、信息技术、创新等主要要素方面予以构建。     

基于复杂组织内个体差异的隐性知识传播模型研究

隐性知识是企业存亡、取得竞争优势的关键性资源。在组织内,不仅宏观的网络结构会影响隐性知识的传播,而且微观层面的个体差异也会对其有很大的影响。组织管理者应通过提高员工个体的知识转移能力、知识吸收能力以及个体间的信任度来促进隐性知识的高效传播,提高组织的核心竞争力。     

Enhancing green product and process innovation: Towards an integrative framework of knowledge acquisition and environmental investment

Despite the increasing interest in green innovation literature, little is known on how and under what conditions firms' knowledge transfer activities affect green innovation. There is lack of research that on how particular organizational capabilities are seen more useful and how it influences on green innovation performance. To address this research gap, we examine a mediation model in which we explore whether a firm's knowledge acquisition capability and investment in environmental management mediate the impact of buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities on green product innovation and green process innovation. On the basis of an analysis of a sample of 239 manufacturing firms, we find that buyer-driven knowledge activities have a greater positive impact on green product innovation than green process innovation. Investment in environmental management fully mediates the relationship between buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities and green process innovation, and knowledge acquisition capability partially mediates the relationship between buyer-driven knowledge transfer activities and green product innovation. The current study provides evidence that internal competencies and the role of buyers in knowledge transfer are critical for explaining the green product innovation and green process innovation. Our results suggest that buyer involvement pushes firms to develop resource acquisition capability to enhance green product innovation. Our results also highlight the importance of investment in environmental management for overcoming the environmental challenges in the manufacturing firms.     

KM教学法在离散数学隐性知识转化中的应用研究

离散数学是计算机专业课中重要的先修课程,包含许多隐性知识。针对离散数学课程中隐性知识获取难的问题,本文提出采用KM教学法,将隐性知识加以逻辑结构化,转化为直观的逻辑思维导图的方法进行教学,从而更好的组织教学过程,提高教学质量。     

基于博弈论的隐性知识主体知识转移机制研究

近年来集群已成为企业主要的合作模式,而隐性知识是企业核心竞争力的来源,隐性知识主体作为隐性知识依附的载体,必然引起产业集群内组织对隐性知识主体的激烈争夺企业应从保持组织竞争力的角度实行一种补偿机制,吸引隐性知识主体留在组织中以实现隐性知识的获得、转移和有效整合,从而促进个人隐性知识向组织层面隐性知识的转移,维持组织的持续创新能力     

Learning from the world? Horizontal knowledge flows and geopolitics in international consulting firms

This paper examines the nature of the contemporary multinational corporation (MNC) through a study of the use of knowledge management systems (KMS) in four major international consulting firms. In particular, we explore whether and how such systems facilitate horizontal (inter-subsidiary) flows of knowledge, as described in the network view of the MNC. Our analysis reveals the presence of horizontal flows within the four firms, but flows that are contextually constrained and partly shaped by geopolitical power relations. Thus, our study gives some support to the image of the MNC as a network whilst highlighting the contextual limits of horizontal knowledge transfer and, importantly, the geopolitical conditions under which such knowledge transfer takes place. At the same time, it challenges the claim that consulting firms are model organizations in the area of knowledge management as well as the more negative view that questions the ability of KMS to facilitate knowledge transfer.     

隐性知识概念阐释与特征分析

显性知识仅仅代表了知识整体的冰山一顶,而隐性知识则占据冰山的大部。隐性知识相对于显性知识而言更具体、更大量。研究隐性知识对企业的发展和企业核心竞争力的增强将有重大的促进作用。论文全面、系统的阐释了隐性知识概念并对其特征进行分析。     

隐性知识研究综述

近年来,隐性知识的研究成为热点问题,隐性知识管理成为知识管理研究的核心内容之一。从隐性知识的内涵、隐性知识的识别和测度、隐性知识的转化模式三个方面,对已有的文献进行综述,并对隐性知识研究的发展方向作了展望。     

装备安全管理隐性知识挖掘技术研究

知识管理正在成为军队发展的新战略思维。装备安全管理实践中存在着大量的隐性知识,对这些隐性知识进行挖掘,可以大大提高装备安全管理工作的效率和效益。文章分析了装备安全管理实践中隐性知识的来源,介绍了隐性知识转移、沉淀和转化方法,并根据我军装备管理的特点,结合我军装备管理实际,利用美军隐性知识挖掘技术中的任务回顾法(AAR),提出了装备安全管理隐性知识挖掘策略,以装备管理中的装备安全管理为例对任务回顾法(AAR)进行了应用,研究了如何应用隐性知识挖掘技术对装备管理中的隐性知识进行挖掘,进而实现应用隐性知识使装备管理中好的经验做法得以推广。     

Green innovation and knowledge: The role of size

This paper reports research on relationship between firm's knowledge sourcing strategy and green innovation. The data are taken from Spanish Technological Innovation Panel survey during 2007–2011. The study contributed to the literature by focusing on the moderating role of firm size on the relationship between knowledge sources and green innovations. Results from over 5,000 firms indicate a shift in the focus from internal knowledge to external knowledge when developing green innovations as firms grow in size. Despite benefits from broad knowledge search on green innovations, the relationship has an inverted U shape. The diminishing returns of knowledge breadth on green innovations are present for smaller firms and disappearing as firms get larger. Government policies promoting more coordination and knowledge complementarity between private and public sector will help to influence more knowledge transfer, ensuring a more sustainable and green economy.