Getting Real About Knowledge Networks

ANDREA BACK is Full Professor at the University of St. Gallen and also Director of the Institute of Information Management. She is Head and Founder of the two research groups Learning Center HSG and KnowledgeSource (the latter together with Professor von Krogh). These competence centres are specific in how they practice applied research in close cooperation and collaboration within a consortium of interested companies. Dr. Back is well known for her research in E-Learning, knowledge networking and workplace E-Collaboration. GEORG VON KROGH has been a professor of management at the University of St. Gallen since 1994 and is also Director of its Institute of Management. Dr. von Krogh has published on such topics as the knowledge and resource based views of the firm, knowledge creation and technological innovation, as well as competitive strategy and organizational growth. He is currently exploring models of technological innovation and their effectiveness, in particular the characteristics of and conditions for open source software development. ANDREAS SEUFERT has been Assistant Professor from 1997-2000 and Co-Founder of the Research Center KnowledgeSource at the University of St. Gallen. In 2001 he joined Accenture as Strategy Consultant. Since 2003 he is Professor of Management and IT at the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen. Dr. Seufert has published on topics such as knowledge strategy and knowledge architecture as well as information and communication technology to support knowledge management and business intelligence. His current focus is on performance improvement through knowledge management. ELLEN ENKEL has been Project Leader of the research center KnowledgeSource since December 2000. The aim of KnowledgeSource, and especially the Competence Center Knowledge Networks for Growth is to develop instruments for knowledge management in an action research approach. Ellen Enkel is especially involved in developing a concept and the methodology for implementing and maintaining effective Knowledge Networks (MERLIN method) with a focus on fostering innovation through knowledge sharing. Her latest research focus lays on supporting the innovation process through innovation networks.

• List of Figures List of Tables Notes on the Contributors A Vision of Knowledge Networking; A.Seufert, A.Back & G.von Krogh The Concept of BA: Building a Foundation for Knowledge Creation; I.Nonaka & N.Konno How Microsoft Makes Large Teams Work Like Small Teams; M.Cusumano Learning and Protection of Proprietary Assets in Strategic Alliances:Building Relational Capital; H.Singh, P. Kale & H.Perlmutter Rethinking IT-Enabled Knowledge Management Systems and Networks: Unpacking Data, Information and Knowledge; R.D.Galliers & S.Newell Knowledge Networking - Unleashing the Power of Networks for Knowledge Management; A.Seufert, A.Back & G.von Krogh Are Networks the Obvious Choice? When to Choose the Network Option; S.Vassiliadis, M.Köhne & J.Barber The Influence of Human Networks and Human Value Systems on Knowledge Sharing and/or Transfer; M.Köhne, J.Raimann & C.Ulrich Developmental Aspects and Supportive Factors in Knowledge Networks; M.Köhne, E.Enkel-Chouikh & C.Ulrich The Location and Reuse of Knowledge Assets in Professional Service Firms; S.Vassiliadis & S.Möcking A Service Model to Support Knowledge Networks; J.Raimann Knowledge Networks - A Tools Perspective; J.Raimann & M.Köhne Outlook: Beyond Organizational Boundaries - Knowledge Networks for Growth; E.Enkel-Chouikh References Index