Analysing intellectual capital management and growth based on dynamic modelling

The management of intellectual capital (IC) resources increases organizational value creation capacities. The aim of this study is to present an algorithm for analysing IC management with an emphasis on the recognition and modelling of growth mechanisms for strategic resources. Intensive interactions among different tangible and intangible assets turn organizations into complex systems of highly interrelated resources; therefore, a systems approach is adopted, and a causal loop diagram is used to model resource interaction feedback structures. The development and analysis of the resource interactions model is explained through a practical algorithm that reveals different dimensions of resource deployment, including the potential value of resources, utilization of resources in key business processes, and mechanisms responsible for the sustained growth of strategic resources. The proposed algorithm was used to examine a telecommunication company. We show that there are no growth mechanisms for certain strategic resources. To activate the growth of such strategic resources, several feedback loops are recognized and related initiatives are proposed.     

Intellectual capital of nations: a comparative analysis of assessment models

Although intellectual capital (IC) is the most important factor determining the economic growth, the literature on country-level IC is not quite enough, and more advances are required to improve the assistance to policy makers in the knowledge era. There are different approaches to measuring and managing intangibles, which opens research opportunities and offers new tools to manage IC. This paper contributes to identify, select, and classify models to evaluate and manage intangibles at the country level. The models were identified through a systematic literature review. They were analyzed and compared using cluster analysis. The results show that the models can be grouped into two main categories according to origin and structure. Despite the differences among the models, the reports tend to converge, because of which the decision about which model to choose can be based on pragmatic issues, such as availability of data, previous knowledge, and complexity of reports.     

Knowledge development and advice networks in professional organizations

In this paper, social network analysis techniques and regression models are used to explain the impact of the level of knowledge development on ego-network redundancy in a community of hospital physicians. Our findings document that the level of knowledge development and the extent to which knowledge is homogeneously distributed amongst collaborating physicians are related to the redundancy of their advice networks, albeit with opposite effects. Our results highlight also that the impact of these relationships on network redundancy is moderated based on whether partnering individuals belong to different professional groups. Our results provide valuable input for the management of knowledge networks within professional organizations.     

Embedded knowledge management: towards improved managerial relevance

Despite the large volume of research and managerial literature on knowledge management, many practitioners seem to find it difficult to appreciate its added value for their managerial work. This paper aims to understand and elaborate the added value that knowledge management as a managerial approach can bring to the management of knowledge-intensive organizations. This study explores empirically the actual management practices of a knowledge-intensive organization and examines how knowledge-related phenomena are managed as embedded aspects of management. This paper makes a contribution to prior discussions concerning the relevance of knowledge management and the role of knowledge management as an embedded management practice. The findings of this study should be useful in explaining practitioners the nature, relevance and value of knowledge management.     

Knowledge management systems: the hallmark of SMEs

This paper provides an overview of the knowledge management systems (KMSs) adopted by small and medium enterprises (SMEs). KMSs are divided into two categories: knowledge management tools (KM-Tools) and knowledge management practices (KM-Practices). On the basis of the analysis of the literature, two research questions (RQs) were identified and addressed through semi-structured interviews carried out in a sample of 35 SMEs operating in high-tech industries. The first RQ concerns the degree of adoption of KMSs by SMEs. The second RQ regards the relationship between KM-Tools and KM-Practices. As far as the degree of adoption of KMSs, the paper highlights that SMEs are not a homogeneous world but there are a variety of approaches and behaviours. As far as the relationship between the degree of adoption of KM-Tools and KM-Practices, the paper identifies three groups of SMEs that seem to point out the stages of the process of adoption of KMSs: Introduction, SMEs that deal with the process of knowledge management exploiting practices and tools that are already known; Growth, SMEs that adopt specialist practices of knowledge management acquiring new organisational and managerial competence in the field of knowledge management; Maturity, SMEs that invest in new technology and that acquire new technological competence in the field of knowledge management. This categorisation paves the way for further theoretical and practical implications for both managers and policy makers.     

Relationships among organizational culture,knowledge sharing,and innovation capability: a case of the automobile industry in Taiwan

The advancement of automobiles (thereinafter auto) during these decades has not only made great contributions to the economic development, but also significantly changed people’s life. Apparently, the auto industry has entered an innovation race. Among extant literature, organizational culture (OC) has positive impact on innovation capability (INC), whereas little research concerns about how OC influences organization’s capabilities through knowledge management (KM) activities, especially for knowledge sharing (KS) taken in a firm. This study aims to explore the effect of OC and KS on INC in the knowledge-intensive auto industry. Questionnaires are given to 6 whole-car manufacturers, 49 parts suppliers, and 7 car dealers in Taiwan. 449 valid questionnaires are returned, and an empirical analysis through structural equation modeling (SEM) is performed. The result shows that KS is the mediating variable of OC and INC, and OC has a significant positive effect on KS.     

A physically active lifestyle is related to a lower level of skin autofluorescence in a large population with chronic-disease (LifeLines cohort)

Background:Physical activity(PA)has substantial health benefits and is important in combatting chronic diseases,which have been associated with elevated levels of advanced glycation endproducts(AGEs).AGEs play a role in the aging process,and an association between PA and AGEs has been reported.We aimed to investigate the relationship between PA and AGE accumulation in a general population and in a population with chronic diseases.Methods:This large cross-sectional population study used data from adult participants in the LifeLines project,with participant information drawn from the LifeLines database as well data from patients with diabetes mellitus or renal and/or cardiovascular diseases.Tissue AGE accumulation was assessed non-invasively by skin-autofluorescence(SAF)using an AGE reader(DiagnOptics Technologies BV,Groningen,the Netherlands).PA was assessed using the short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity(SQUASH).Multivariate linear regression analyses were adjusted for age,body mass index,sex,and smoking status.Results:Data from 63,452 participants(general population n=59,177,chronic disease n=4275)were analyzed.The general population was significantly younger(43.58±11.77 years,mean±SD)and had significantly lower SAF(1.90±0.42 arbitrary units(AU))compared to the population with chronic disease(age:55.51±12.07 years;SAF:2.27±0.51 AU).In the group with chronic disease,more hours of moderate to vigorous physical activities per week were associated with lower SAF(β=-0.002,95%confidence interval(95%CI):-0.002 to-0.001).For the general population,there was no association between hours of moderate to vigorous activity and SAF(β=3.2×10^-5,95%CI:0.000-0.001,p=0.742).However,there was an association in the general population between total hours of PA per week and SAF(β=4.2×10^-4,95%CI:0.000-0.001,p<0.001),but this association was not found in the chronic disease population(β=-3.2×10^-4,95%CI:-0.001 to 0.000,p=0.347).Conclusion:Our study demonstrates that an inverse relationship exists between PA and AGE accumulation in the population with chronic disease.More hours of moderate to vigorous activity is associated a significantly decreased SAF.More PA is associated a lower SAF,even after for the established predictors(age,body mass index,smoking status,and sex).Our findings could help to promote health and prolong longevity.     

Efficient sample preparation in immuno-matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using acoustic trapping

Acoustic trapping of minute bead amounts against fluid flow allows for easy automation of multiple assay steps, using a convenient aspirate/dispense format. Here, a method based on acoustic trapping that allows sample preparation for immuno-matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using only half a million 2.8 μm antibody covered beads is presented. The acoustic trapping is done in 200 × 2000 μm² glass capillaries and provides highly efficient binding and washing conditions, as shown by complete removal of detergents and sample processing times of 5-10 min. The versatility of the method is demonstrated using an antibody against Angiotensin I (Ang I), a peptide hormone involved in hypotension. Using this model system, the acoustic trapping was efficient in enriching Angiotensin at 400 pM spiked in plasma samples.     

Examination of the psychometric properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire - 2 in a sample of female athletes

We undertook two studies to determine the validity and reliability of the revised Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2). In Study 1, 201 female athletes (mean age 16.4 years) were administered the initial version of the PMCSQ-2 and a measure of reported tension and pressure experienced in sport. Exploratory principal component analysis suggested that the PMCSQ-2 contained two higher-order scales (Task-Involving and Ego-Involving climates), each with three subscales (Task: Cooperative Learning, Effort/Improvement, Important Role; Ego: Intra-Team Member Rivalry, Unequal Recognition, Punishment for Mistakes). In Study 2, 385 female volleyball players (mean age 15.2 years) completed the PMCSQ-2, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and a measure of Team Satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to six competing models. The oblique six-factor model and oblique hierarchical model provided comparable fit to the data. Acceptable fit was reached based on model respecification. Across Studies 1 and 2, internal consistency was found to be acceptable for the higher-order scales and subscales (with the exception of the Intra-Team Member Rivalry subscale). We found evidence for the concurrent validity of the instrument.     

Changes in the perception of action possibilities while climbing to fatigue on a climbing wall

Abstract

In two experiments we examined changes in the perception of action possibilities as a function of exertion. In Experiment 1, participants repeatedly climbed on a climbing wall in a series of trials that progressively increased in number to 10 trials, resulting in increased exertion. Before and during climbing, the participants judged their maximum reaching height and perceived exertion. On a separate day, participants climbed another 10 trials while performing actual maximum reaches. Higher perceived exertion was associated with decreases in perceived maximum reach while the actual reaches did not decrease. However, the perceptual changes occurred early during task execution when the participants were not yet fatigued. When exertion set in, neither perceived nor actual maximum reaching appeared to be affected. In Experiment 2, we included exhaustion trials. The findings replicated the early changes in perception observed in Experiment 1, which may be explained by hands-on experience with the task. Furthermore, while climbing to exhaustion, perceptual judgements largely changed in keeping with changes in the actual maximum reach. Thus, there appeared to be a functional relationship between participants' actual action capabilities, rather than their state of physical fatigue per se, and perceived action possibilities.