Organizational versus Market Knowledge: From Concrete Embodiment to Abstract Representation

Synopsis In contrast to the neoclassical economic presumption in favor of markets, we argue that organizations, not markets should be taken as our default assumption. We do so on information processing grounds. We distinguish between Zen and market Knowledge. The first is embodied and hard to articulate and the second abstract-symbolic. In human evolution, the first type of knowledge came first, and, on any pragmatic definition of knowledge, it still incorporates most of what we mean by the term. We take codification and abstraction as the two data processing activities that lead to the articulation of knowledge into an abstract-symbolic form. We develop a conceptual framework, the Information-Space (I-Space) to show how far the articulation of knowledge leads to its being shared. Whereas an unlimited sharing of information and knowledge leads to market-oriented outcomes, a more limited sharing leads to organizational outcomes. A market-oriented economics has tended to look to physics for its models; the field of organization theory has tended to look to biology. A more organization-oriented economics would thus look more to biology for its models.     

Determinants of knowledge transfer strategy in franchising: integrating knowledge-based and relational governance perspectives

This study presents an integrative model on the franchisor's choice of knowledge transfer strategy by deriving hypotheses from the knowledge-based theory and the relational governance view. First, based on the knowledge-based view, tacitness of system-specific knowledge influences the choice of the knowledge transfer strategy of the franchisor. The higher the degree of tacitness of knowledge, the more knowledge-transfer mechanisms with a high degree of information richness (HIR) are used, such as training, seminars, visits and formal meetings, and the more likely the franchisor chooses a personalization strategy (P-S). Conversely, the lower the degree of tacitness of system-specific knowledge, the more knowledge transfer mechanisms with a low degree of information richness (LIR) are used, such as reports, emails, intranet, databases, and the more likely the franchisor chooses a codification strategy. Second, based on the relational view of governance, trust influences the choice of knowledge transfer strategy of the franchisor. If trust reduces relational risk, more trust reduces the franchisor's use of HIR-knowledge transfer mechanisms and increases the franchisor's use of LIR-knowledge transfer mechanisms. If trust increases knowledge-sharing between the network partners, it increases the franchisor's use of both HIR- and LIR-knowledge-transfer mechanisms. The hypotheses are tested by using data on the use of the P-S in the Austrian franchise sector. The data provide some support for the hypotheses. A new model on the franchisor's choice of knowledge transfer strategy, using knowledge-based theory and relational view of governance is developed, and specifically, the knowledge-based view of Windsperger and Gorovaia [(2011). Knowledge attributes and the choice of knowledge-transfer mechanisms in networks: The case of franchising. Journal of Management and Governance, 15(4), 617–640] is extended by considering trust as additional explanatory variable of the knowledge-transfer strategy.     

Unveiling the temporally contingent role of codification in alliance success

While prior research highlights the importance of codifying alliance experience to achieve alliance success, it is unclear whether codification is equally useful in the different phases of an alliance. Based on a sample of 192 technology firms that report on over 3,400 strategic alliances, we find that in the partner selection and termination phases, reliance on codified knowledge is useful. However, in the partner management phase, reliance on codified knowledge is less beneficial and can be even negatively related to performance. Our findings have implications for the tension between flexibility and efficiency and the relationship between structure and performance. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

国土空间规划的立法统合及其表达

研究目的：通过梳理国土空间规划立法的不同类型,比较和分析适合中国现阶段发展需要和制度基础的国土空间规划立法统合模式,为研究制定国土空间开发保护的总体性法律探索可行进路。研究方法：规范分析法、文献分析法。研究结果：国土空间规划的体系化、法治化和制度化离不开立法统合,但是现行国土空间规划分散立法模式存在现实局限性,无法回应“国土空间开发保护总体性法律”这一根本要求。结合中国国土空间规划发展的阶段性和既有立法的制度基础,适度法典化是目前国土空间规划立法统合更为合适的路径选择。研究结论：（1）在制度特征上,寻求开放性与封闭性、稳定性与回应性、调适性与渐进性的适度均衡;（2）在立法形式上,初期阶段通过制定《国土空间规划法》凝练共识规则和一般原则,在法典化时升级为《国土空间规划基本法》;（3）在体系衔接上,合理衔接与宪法以及其他部门法之间的关系,形成科学的体系划分。     

Regal Hair Salon: Tax and financial reporting of gift cards

Regal Hair Salons Inc., an owner and operator of hair salons across the United States, has enhanced its brand recognition through gift cards and promotions. Using authoritative tax literature, you have to determine the amount and timing of its federal income tax liability for the gift cards of other retailers that Regal has sold, gift cards for its own products and services, and the gift cards that it has issued during a special promotion. You also have an opportunity to determine whether Regal’s financial reporting policies with respect to gift cards are consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAPs), using FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Finally, based on your review of book-tax differences, you are to determine the appropriate current and deferred tax provision. The case provides an opportunity to examine several issues in a real-world setting, strengthen your tax and accounting research capabilities, and develop your critical thinking skills.     

The role of codified sources of knowledge in innovation: Empirical evidence from Dutch manufacturing

This paper explores ongoing debates about the role that codified forms of knowledge play in fostering innovative behaviour. It aims to provide an empirical exploration of the use of codified sources of information for innovation at the firm and sectoral level. Despite considerable interest in David and Forays (1995) work on the codification of knowledge and the changing nature of innovation due to the use of information and communication technologies, there are relatively few empirical studies that probe the role of codified sources of information in the innovation process. Our goal is to assess how important codified sources of information are for innovation among different firms and sectors. We find that use of codified sources of knowledge is highly concentrated in high technology sectors and among firms with existing absorptive capacity. The analysis shows that the use of other sources of information for innovation is a strong predictor of a firms use of codified sources. The data used for the analysis is based on The Netherlands Community Innovation Survey (II) for the manufacturing sector and covers over 2001 firms in 11 industries.JEL Classification: L60, O32, O33     

Anomie and the Marketing Function: The Role of Control Mechanisms

The authors use the theoretical notion of anomie to examine the impact of top management’s control mechanisms on the environment of the marketing function. Based on a literature review and in-depth field interviews with marketing managers in diverse industries, a conceptual model is proposed that incorporates the two managerial control mechanisms, viz. output and process control, and relates their distinctive influence to anomie in the marketing function. Three contingency variables, i.e., resource scarcity, power, and ethics codification, are proposed to moderate the relationship between control mechanisms and anomie. The authors also argue for the link between anomic environments and the propensity of unethical marketing practices to occur. Theoretical and managerial implications of the proposed conceptual model are discussed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

The quest for expansive intellectual property rights and the failure to disclose known relevant prior art

Expansive patent portfolios may be used by firms to fence off technological space for commercialization, impede the commercialization efforts of competitors, and enhance bargaining power in cross‐licensing negotiations. Low quality patents with claims that overlap those of other patents contribute to these portfolios and patent strategies. By failing to disclose known relevant prior art during the patenting process, inventors and their firms may be granted low quality patents with intellectual property claims which would not otherwise have been granted. We find that the failure of inventors to disclose known relevant prior art increases as they gain experience with the patenting process. Such failure is also greater among inventors employed by relatively small, poorly performing firms that rely on outsourced legal counsel during the application process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

美国会计准则体系的重大变革及启示

安然事件及近年来的金融危机暴露出美国会计准则体系结构混乱、难以检索、难以应用的缺陷,因此美国对其会计准则体系作出重大变革,重整公认会计原则(GAAP)结构,正式启用,从根本上消除了美国以往由多个机构以多种形式发布多种准则文献的状况.这一举措将极大改善美国会计准则的质量,减少"准则超载"现象.降低准则复杂性,并推动美国会计准则与国际准则的趋同,最终将对各国会计准则的制定形式、格局和走向产生重大影响.     

国际商事仲裁证据规则之晚近成文化现象述评

在国际商事仲裁领域,晚近出现了证据规则成文化现象。国际商事仲裁证据规则的成文化具有以下基本特征:编纂主体与参与人的广泛性,编纂形式上的"软法化"以及与"最佳实践"的互动性。国际商事仲裁证据规则的成文化总体上有利于效率与公平的平衡,有利于不同法律文化之间的平衡,有利于仲裁灵活性与可预见性的平衡。对于是否制订仲裁证据规则,我国仲裁界应持谨慎态度。对于国际上已经制订的仲裁证据规则,我国仲裁界应积极展开研究,同时在具体仲裁程序中灵活适用。