A question of balance: Case studies in strategic knowledge management

Abstract

There is one challenge that all businesses face in the unpredictable world of knowledge-based competition. That challenge is to balance organisational creativity and flexibility with the disciplines that turn creative pursuits into tangible business advantage. On the one hand, less bureaucracy and more informal communication promote the spontaneity, experimentation, and freedom of expression that are the lifeblood of innovation. On the other hand, what counts is the rapid and continuous transformation of ideas into superior products and services. This article examines how several companies, profiled in a recent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) study on organisational learning, strive to strike this balance. A conceptual framework to help executives design and execute knowledge-driven business strategies is also presented.