Streams of shared knowledge: computational expansion of knowledge-flow theory

Knowledge sharing in organizations, especially the impact of sharing freely versus not sharing, was studied using game theoretic analysis and a Netlogo agent-based simulation model. In both analyses, some agents hoarded knowledge while others shared knowledge freely. As expected, sharing was found to greatly increase the overall amount of knowledge within the organization. Unexpectedly, on average, agents who share acquire more knowledge than hoarders. This is in contradiction to the conclusion from the prisoner’s dilemma analysis. This is due to the synergy that develops between groups of agents who are sharing with each other. The density of the agents is important; as the density increases, the probability increases that an agent with a large amount of knowledge to share happens to be organizationally nearby. The implications are that organizations should actively encourage knowledge sharing, and that agent-based simulation is a useful tool for studying this type of organizational phenomena.

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Reconsidering a System for Measuring Dynamic Knowledge

Current Issues and Trends in Knowledge Management, Discovery, and Transfer - Advances in Knowledge Acquisition, Transfer, and Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-2189-2.ch003 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 48-70

Author(s):

Mark E. Nissen

Keyword(s):

Competitive Advantage ◽

Measurement Techniques ◽

Flow Theory ◽

Knowledge Flow ◽

Dynamic Motion ◽

Knowledge Measurement ◽

Organization Context

It is axiomatic to say that knowledge is key to competitive advantage, but it is inherently invisible, intangible, and resistant to quantification, particularly when in dynamic motion. Recent research builds upon emerging knowledge measurement techniques and well-established knowledge flow theory to develop a system for measuring dynamic knowledge in the organization. Results from application to archetypical organization processes are encouraging and highly consistent with extant theory. The research described in this chapter summarizes three notable extensions to such work. It makes a theoretic contribution by extending a coherent approach to dynamic knowledge measurement, and it makes a practical contribution through illustration in the organization context. A related goal is to stimulate considerable thinking, discussion, debate, and continued research.

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Commentary

Knowledge Development and Social Change through Technology ◽

10.4018/978-1-60960-507-0.ch013 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 177-184

Author(s):

Emil Ivanov ◽

Jay Liebowitz

Keyword(s):

Flow Theory ◽

Cultural Factors ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

Knowledge Flow ◽

Primary Concern ◽

Current State ◽

Different Cultures ◽

The Relationship ◽

Flow Cross

The primary concern for this commentary is to examine and assess the current state of the research performed in the domain of knowledge flow theory and the relationship between these activities and the ways they are affected within different cultures and generations. We observe little research on the relationship between knowledge flow, cross-cultural factors, and stage of life. We feel that more research is needed in order to deal with cross-cultural generational knowledge flows in organizations.

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Approach to knowledge service platform for modern design based on knowledge flow theory

2011 International Conference on Consumer Electronics, Communications and Networks (CECNet) ◽

10.1109/cecnet.2011.5768598 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Junning Li ◽

Wei Chen ◽

Youbai Xie

Keyword(s):

Flow Theory ◽

Knowledge Flow ◽

Modern Design ◽

Service Platform ◽

Knowledge Service

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Measuring Dynamic Knowledge Flows

Managing Knowledge Assets and Business Value Creation in Organizations ◽

10.4018/978-1-60960-071-6.ch008 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 125-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mark E. Nissen

Keyword(s):

Competitive Advantage ◽

Dynamic Properties ◽

Explanatory Power ◽

Flow Theory ◽

Knowledge Flows ◽

Knowledge Flow ◽

Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽

Managerial Decision ◽

Managerial Decision Making ◽

Theoretical Contribution

Knowledge is key to sustainable competitive advantage, but different kinds of knowledge affect competitive advantage differently, and they exhibit qualitatively different dynamic properties and behaviors. This places particular importance on understanding the dynamics of knowledge as it flows from where and when it is to where and when it is needed. Despite the increasing analytical and explanatory power of Knowledge Flow Theory toward this end, the extant literature remains limited in terms of measurement. The research described in this chapter builds upon and extends Knowledge Flow Theory to conceptualize and illustrate a scheme for measuring dynamic knowledge flows. Such a scheme offers a theoretical contribution and elucidates an exciting path for continued research along these lines. It highlights practical application as well through enhanced managerial decision making and business value creation in the context of harnessing dynamic knowledge for competitive advantage.

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Working Toward a System for Measuring Dynamic Knowledge

International Journal of Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/ijkm.2017070101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mark E. Nissen

Keyword(s):

Measurement Techniques ◽

Flow Theory ◽

Knowledge Flow ◽

Practical Application ◽

Physical Systems ◽

Measurement Capability ◽

Theoretical Contribution ◽

Dynamic Motion ◽

Knowledge Measurement ◽

Organization Context

Knowledge is inherently intangible, invisible and resistant to quantification, particularly when in dynamic motion. This makes it a considerable and persistent challenge to understand, visualize and measure. The research described in this article builds upon emerging knowledge measurement techniques and well-established knowledge flow theory to develop a system for measuring dynamic knowledge in the organization. This measurement capability is developed judiciously and analogically from the author's understanding of dynamic physical systems. As a background, the key literature on knowledge measurement and knowledge flow theory is reviewed. Then this system for measuring dynamic knowledge is conceptualized, and its use, utility and theoretical coherence are illustrated through practical application. This research makes a theoretical contribution by advancing a coherent approach to dynamic knowledge measurement, and it makes a practical contribution through illustration in the organization context. A related goal is to stimulate considerable thinking, discussion, debate and continued research.

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