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How firm organizations adapt to secure a sustained knowledge transfer

Author

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  • Ulrich Witt
  • Christian Zellner

Abstract

To produce an effect, knowledge needs to be first acquired and expressed by a human agent. This trivial fact is a constraint on knowledge commercialization. The highly systemic nature of the decentralized production of knowledge is another constraint. This paper analyses the nature of the two constraints and their interplay from an individualistic perspective, focusing particularly on the often-neglected entrepreneurial aspects of the transfer of knowledge. It shows how the constraints are overcome by organizational adaptations inside firms and how, by these adaptations, a sustained knowledge transfer into the commercial sphere of the innovation system is secured.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrich Witt & Christian Zellner, 2009. "How firm organizations adapt to secure a sustained knowledge transfer," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(7), pages 647-661.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ecinnt:v:18:y:2009:i:7:p:647-661
    DOI: 10.1080/10438590802564584
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    Cited by:

    1. Guohao Wang & Liying Yu, 2019. "Differential Game Analysis of Scientific Crowdsourcing on Knowledge Transfer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Ardak Nurpeisova & Galiya Mauina & Shakizada Niyazbekova & Ainur Jumagaliyeva & Aigul Zholmukhanova & Yuliya Gabdrashitovna Tyurina & Svetlana Murtuzalieva & Leila A. Maisigova, 2020. "Impact of R&D expenditures on the country's innovative potential: a case study," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 8(2), pages 682-697, December.
    3. Tommaso Ciarli & Valentina Meliciani & Maria Savona, 2012. "Knowledge Dynamics, Structural Change And The Geography Of Business Services," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 445-467, July.
    4. Burak Erkut, 2020. "From Digital Government to Digital Governance: Are We There Yet?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge; knowledge transfer; entrepreneurship; knowledge acquisition; innovation systems; start-ups; R&D careers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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