Linking social capital to organizational growth

In the current discussion of the intellectual capital, three main themes have been brought up: intangible assets, the dynamic capabilities to create and modify these assets, and the social relationships in which the knowledge processes take place, that is social capital. Within the latter view, knowledge is understood as a socially constructed and shared resource, and the focus is on the characteristics of the social relationships connecting the various actors and on the benefits these bring to the participants. Even though it is widely agreed that knowledge is essentially social by nature and that social capital does matter to the corporate bottom line, there are relatively few previous studies that have empirically examined the impact of social capital on organizational growth. To bridge this gap, the paper empirically examines how social capital residing in both intra-organizational and inter-organizational relationships of firms is related with organizational growth. The results suggest that contrary to the theoretical claims in the existing literature, social capital has only meagre role in promoting organizational growth.     

The intangibles’ mindset of CFOs’ and corporate performance

This paper aims to analyze the companies’ view about the financial valuation of intangibles relevance and its influence on corporate performance. Based on the theory of resources, the role of intangibles in business competitiveness is justified. The traditional factors of production have become secondary, while the success is primarily based on the development and utilization of intangible resources. One of the main problems in managing the intangibles appears to be that, there is a general lack of information about them. Therefore, financial valuation of intangibles will result in significant benefits to the organization that will help determine business strategy, process design as well providing competitive advantage. It follows the hypothesis of this work, the greater known about their intangibles and the greater sensitivity to the financial valuation of them, the better performance. To achieve this objective, a field study is done, doing telephone calls to Basque Country companies’ financial managers.     

Knowledge for sale – the benefits and effects of off-shoring knowledge-based jobs in engineering,design, and R&D – a case study

A framework consisting of a conceptual model and a closed-loop knowledge work outsourcing decision model is developed. A process flow model of a medical device company's product development function is analysed, where this framework is applied to understand various outsourcing options for the company. The conceptual framework describes major attributes related to outsourcing decisions, parameters associated with various attributes and the relationship intensity of parameters with three knowledge work outsourcing options – in-house, near-shoring, and off-shoring. The proposed model is closed loop, emphasizing the importance of regular re-evaluation needed for an off-shored function. The modeling framework contributes to a company's decision whether or not a particular knowledge-based function should either be kept in-house, near-sourced or off-shored. The general perception of off-shoring is to reduce costs but, the proposed model takes into account additional factors such as, market accessibility, strategic partnership, reduced time to regional market, access to overseas talent pool, and governmental incentives, etc. These factors play a vital role in determining an outsourced function. The paper discusses various options and makes recommendations for tapping into technological advancements around the world, their effects on supply chain management and other competitive advantages presented by off-shoring.     

Integrating educational institutions to produce intellectual capital for sustainability in Caguas,Puerto Rico

This research is part of a broader investigation to analyse the processes followed by the Caguas Municipality at the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in an effort to develop the characteristics of a ‘Smart City’ as an example of sustainable development. We describe the integration of the educational institutions’ initiatives and the municipal government strategic plan to contribute to the knowledge and intellectual capital that brings sustainability to the city. An actor's model was designed to represent this integration. The conceptual framework was based on the concepts of knowledge production and sharing as applied to the collaboration between critical representative actors. Field research consisting of in-depth interviews was performed to ascertain the integration processes and their relationship with such processes of knowledge production and sharing. The results showed that the governance paradigm implemented is already empowering the citizens to contribute with intellectual capital that brings sustainability to Caguas.     

Making memories available: a framework for preserving rural heritage through community knowledge management (cKM)

While most of the research in Knowledge Management (KM) has focused on business communities, there is a breadth of potential applications of KM theory and practice to wider society. This paper explores the potential of KM for rural communities, specifically for those that want to preserve their social history and collective memories (what we call heritage) to enrich the lives of others. In KM terms, this is a task of accumulating and recording knowledge (using KM techniques such as story-telling and communities of practice) to enable its retention for future use (by interested people perhaps through KM systems). We report a case study of Cardrona, a valley of approximately 120 people in New Zealand's South Island. Realising that time would erode knowledge of their community a small, motivated group of residents initiated a KM programme to create a legacy for a wider community including younger generations, tourists and scholars. This paper applies KM principles to rural communities that want to harness their collective knowledge for wider societal gain, and develops a community-based framework to inform such initiatives. As a result, we call for a wider conceptualisation of KM to include motives for managing knowledge beyond business performance to accommodate community (cKM).     

A PLACE FROM WHERE TO SPEAK: THE UNIVERSITY AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM

ABSTRACT:  the university is promoted as 'a place from where to speak'. Academic freedom is examined as a crucial value in an increasingly uncertain age which resonates with Barnett's concern to encourage students to overcome their 'fear of freedom'. My concern is that the putative university space of freedom and autonomy may well become constricted by those who would limit not just our freedom to speak but also our freedoms to be and to do. Without academic freedom students and teachers, who might be able to fly, will not be permitted to fly. I review issues of academic freedom and free speech raised especially by Berlin, Voltaire, von Humboldt, Mill, Milton and Rorty. I discuss problems raised when free speech is heard by others as harmful and offensive to their beliefs and values. I offer a set of suggestions to ensure that the university may envision itself as a space of freedom, pluralism and tolerance. Finally, I reflect that the university, of all democratic institutions, should be the one which best serves its society as 'a place from where to speak' .     

INTEGRATION AND REGULATION MATTERS IN EDUCATIONAL TRANSITION: A THEORETICAL CRITIQUE OF RETENTION AND ATTRITION MODELS

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the appropriateness of models developed to understand why students do or do not complete their courses in higher education. It is suggested that emphasising integration above regulation has taken attention away from a possible anomic interpretation. A more contextualised, nuanced and psychosocial approach to understanding student participation and retention is needed to address difficulties and inequalities in the transition to higher education.