The uncertain relevance of newness: Organizational learning and knowledge flows

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Schulz, M
• 署名单位: University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle
• 刊物名称: ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0001-4273
• DOI: 10.5465/3069409
• 发表日期: 2001
• 页码: 661-681
• 关键词: firm; capabilities; adoption; innovations; acquisition; management; MODEL

摘要

This study explores how organizational learning in subunits affects outflows of knowledge to other subunits. Three learning processes are explored: Collecting new knowledge, codifying knowledge, and combining old knowledge. The results suggest that collecting new knowledge intensifies vertical flows, of knowledge, that codifying knowledge facilitates horizontal and vertical flows, and that combining old knowledge mainly affects horizontal flows. More generally, the study suggests that uncertainties about the relevance of new knowledge are resolved via vertical flows, which (compared to horizontal flows) expose new knowledge faster to a wider range of remote and different knowledge and thereby facilitate faster, more comprehensive discovery of its relevance.