Unearthing key drivers of knowledge leakage

Mohamed, Souad; Mynors, Diane J.; Grantham, Andrew; Chan, Paul; Coles, Rhoda; Walsh, Kathryn

doi:10.1504/ijkms.2007.012535

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Employees are valuable receptors, creators, and gatekeepers of knowledge assets that a firm can use to generate valuable innovations. However, if human resources become the channel through which knowledge leaks from the organisation, severe problems emerge (Hurmelinna-Laukkanen and Puumalainen, 2007;Mohamed et al 2007;Norman, 2001). Therefore, identifying and implementing means that limit disruptions and imitation risks connected to knowledge leaving as well as unintentional and deliberate knowledge leaking are relevant -especially when there is a need to simultaneously avoid their excessively restrictive effect on much needed knowledge sharing (Chesbrough, 2003).…”

Section: Summary Of the Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human resources – strength and weakness in protection of intellectual capital

Olander

Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen

Heilmann

2015

Journal of Intellectual Capital

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose – Human resources in knowledge intensive industries create the basis for continuing innovation and subsequent firm performance. At the same time, they pose risks for the competitiveness of the firm: unwanted leaking of knowledge and intellectual capital to outsiders exposes firm-critical knowledge, and knowledge leaving with a departing key employee may jeopardise the firm’s projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine how human resource management can serve as a protection mechanism to diminish knowledge leaking and leaving via employees. Design/methodology/approach – The authors approach these issues through a case study utilising interview data from 22 interviews within two large research and development intensive firms. Findings – Human resources could be seen both as a strength and weakness of a firm with respect to knowledge protection. The findings indicate that there are numerous practices related to commitment, trust, motivation, and sense of responsibility available to deploy to strengthen loyalty and to improve preservation of intellectual capital. Originality/value – While human resources management aspects have been widely discussed with regard job profitability and efficiency in generating intellectual capital, their connection to knowledge protection has often been overlooked. This study aims to contribute to this area.

show abstract

Section: Summary Of the Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human resources – strength and weakness in protection of intellectual capital

Olander

Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen

Heilmann

2015

Journal of Intellectual Capital

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The risk is generated by not having anymore that critical knowledge when it will be needed in the production process. Knowledge leakage is a metaphor for that knowledge which escape from a certain confinement or boundary and used by others, with possible negative effects for the owners of that knowledge, especially when it comes to competitive advantage (Ahmad et al, 2014;Mohamed et al, 2017;Parker, 2012). The risk of knowledge leakage is high when it happens with new ideas and technologies and when there is a certain secret concerning the new products or service a company is preparing for the market.…”

Section: Knowledge Leakagementioning

confidence: 99%

A Holistic Approach to Knowledge Risk

Brătianu¹

2013

MDKE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the knowledge economy, knowledge becomes a strategic resource for any company contributing significantly to achieving its competitive advantage. Knowledge risk is associated with any knowledge activity which is done under the pressure of uncertainty. Researchers focus their attention especially on the following types of knowledge risks: knowledge loss, knowledge leakage, knowledge spillover, knowledge outsourcing, knowledge gaps, and improper use of knowledge. All the researchers analyze knowledge risk by using for knowledge the metaphor of stock-and-flow, which implies that knowledge is considered in its explicit form as being rational. According to the theory of knowledge fields, which is based on the metaphor of knowledge as energy, we consider a holistic approach comprising the rational knowledge field, emotional knowledge field, and spiritual knowledge field. In this perspective, the risk is associated with each knowledge field such that the whole phenomenon of knowledge risk becomes more complex. The purpose of this paper is to present a holistic approach to the knowledge risk based on this theory of knowledge fields and the energy metaphor for knowledge. It is a conceptual analysis based on metaphorical thinking and literature background. Our findings lead to a larger perspective in understanding and using the concept of knowledge risk in knowledge management.

show abstract

“…Lichtenthaler and Frishammar (2011) note that even conscious decisions to release knowledge to competitors, as in the case of licensing proprietary technology, carry the risk of strengthening the competition. Mohamed et al, (2007) argue that knowledge leakage can be either positive or negative; it is simply a consequence of internal and external knowledge flows. Using this definition in the context of open innovation, however, positive knowledge leakage of information into the innovating organization can be simply seen as the goal of the process.…”

Section: Open Innovation External Interactions and Appropriabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%