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on Knowledge Management and Knowledge Economy |
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Issue of 2010‒05‒22
six papers chosen by Laura Stefanescu European Research Centre of Managerial Studies in Business Administration |
| By: | Monroy, Carlos Rodriguez; Fuentes-Pila, Joaquin; Martinez Soto, Moises E.; Velasco, Julia; Morris, Anne |
| Abstract: | The object of the present article is to discuss Knowledge Management (KM) in the Agrifood Supply Chain (ASC). In the 21st century, the ASC is under strong tensions. This is evident in the drastic changes in the global scene. For example, in the year 2008, food prices were high and unstable. In the last years, the importance of knowledge as a source of competitive advantage for organizations has increased considerably, so it is necessary its management in the ASC in order to surpass the challenges of the 21st century. KM is a direction tool that focuses in determining, organizing, directing, providing and supervising the practices and activities related with the knowledge (intangible active) required to achieve the strategies and objectives of the business or industry, generating a value for the organization at the moment to reach capabilities and competences. In inter-organizational environments, KM is centered on horizontal alliances between two or more partners. However, there are few authors who have analyzed the vertical alliances between suppliers and customers (the supply chain). The existing KM models are applicable for the ASC, as long as a series of conditions are present in the same one. Among these conditions there is one which prevails: The different enterprises that integrate the ASC must coordinate themselves in order to constitute a dynamic network, in which learning barriers are eliminated, so knowledge can flow freely through them. In conclusion, the development of KM models in the ASC, in the framework of untimely, temporary and structural changes in the globalised world, represents a necessary tool to offer safety and quality food to the world-wide population in the 21st century. In this way, food markets will tend to become stabilized in the long term and adequate answers can be provided to the more vulnerable communities and regions. |
| Keywords: | management, knowledge, agrifood supply chain, price stability, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2009–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iefi09:59188&r=knm |
| By: | Todo, Yasuyuki (Asian Development Bank Institute); Zhang, Weiying (Asian Development Bank Institute); Zhou, Li-An (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper employs a firm-level panel data set for a high-tech cluster in the People's Republic of China to examine knowledge spillovers from multinational enterprises (MNEs) to domestic firms, focusing on the role of MNEs' employment of educated workers. We find that knowledge within MNEs spills over to domestic firms in the same industry through MNEs' employment of workers with graduate-level or overseas education. We also find that Japanese MNEs contribute less to knowledge spillovers than United States MNEs. This is most likely due to the fact that Japanese MNEs in the People's Republic of China do not employ as much educated labor. |
| Keywords: | knowledge spillovers; foreign direct investment; educated labor; the peoples republic of china |
| JEL: | F23 O12 O30 |
| Date: | 2009–12–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0174&r=knm |
| By: | Consoli Davide; Patrucco Pier Paolo (University of Turin) |
| Date: | 2010–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uto:labeco:201007&r=knm |
| By: | Sodano, Valeria; Hingley, Martin |
| Abstract: | The still ongoing processes of consolidation and globalization affect the organizational diversity of the food system in very complex and somehow contradictory ways. The few transnational companies (TNCs) in whose hands the most part of food processing and distribution activities is concentrated, continuously look for organizational innovations to enhance their profits. Inter-firms collaborative arrangements, global sourcing and sector diversification are some of the most widely followed strategies that require (and/or lead to) new organizational forms. The paper identifies some important patterns of organizational structures and innovation in the food (and specifically food retailing) system, in order to evaluate the role and the competitiveness of cooperatives with respect to other organizational forms. |
| Keywords: | cooperatives, local and global competitiveness, retailing, regional sourcing, socially responsible food networks, UK, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Risk and Uncertainty, |
| Date: | 2009–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iefi09:59199&r=knm |
| By: | Noble, Chris |
| Abstract: | A capabilities perspective of farm level innovation in the beef cattle industry is presented using information economics. The knowledge capabilities of non-corporate beef cattle enterprises have two interrelated components: the knowledge generated from the activities that takes place during production; and the information channels that producers possess to source external information. Although both are important for analysing innovation, the external information sources relating to producersâ knowledge are emphasised here. Emphasis on the path-dependent nature of knowledge focuses the discussion of innovation on the communication of information and how this affects the organisation of knowledge. The effects of differing knowledge capabilities are central to understanding the variation in innovative processes. Preliminary results from focus groups and in-depth interviews of both producers and their nominated information sources in the New England area of New South Wales in mid-2009 provide evidence for the efficacy of information channels. Case studies of innovations exemplify how differing attributes of innovations combine with network structures and institutional factors to influence the processes of communication between producers and their information sources. Communication of high quality information is shown to be more involved than simple exposure and must be considered from the point of view of the user, allowing it to be reconciled with existing knowledge of the producer. Of importance to producers is the source, delivery and history of the information and these are reflected in the approach taken in this research. The outcomes suggest that producers should be making decisions on the basis of their self organised knowledge capital rather than following innovations fashionable in the industry at large. The role of policy makers is to complement this by providing favourable conditions for knowledge capital formation where high quality information flows are likely outcomes. Policy makers could look at improving the ability of producers to integrate new technologies and practices into their production indirectly rather than looking to directly persuade them to adopt individual innovations. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aare10:59107&r=knm |
| By: | Martimort, David; Poudou, Jean-Christophe; Sand-Zantman, Wilfried |
| Date: | 2009–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:21917&r=knm |