Conclusion
Many agree that knowledge and learning are assets for competitiveness in a world characterized by trends like more and faster global interaction, continued development of information and communication technology and faster cycles of innovation. This poses great challenges to firms, and a growing body of research on knowledge management, HRM and organization learning has studied these challenges and contributed for devising sound strategies for actors in firms. In this paper we have discussed this field, not through a comprehensive review of the literature but rather through focusing on a few selected issues that are perceived as central. The main points made are the following
- The probably most important element of firm competitiveness is creating, transforming and utilizing various kinds of knowledge as a firm specific asset imbedded in manpower relations, routines and practices.
- Knowledge processes in firms and other organizations involve formal and codified as well as informal and experience-based forms of knowledge and transformations between these. Contrary to many expectations, modernization and new technologies do not diminish the importance of informal knowledge.
- Two distinct approaches may be identified in stategies for enhancing innovative performance at the firm level. One has been named “STI”(Science-Technology-Innovation) and is based on formalized and explicit knowledge produced through and disseminated through formal education and training. The other is named “DUI” (Doing-Using-Interacting) and based on knowledge produced and disseminated in problem-oriented communications between different actors in and around the firm.
- In the literature on learning in organizations there are also two distinct approaches. One may be called “management driven” and focuses on designing learning systems in order to adapt continuously to its environment. The other may be called “socio-cultural”;it assumes that learning in organizations is mostly informal and related to the different communities of practise that organize work in the organization. Learning is socially embedded in an apprenticeship relation,and learning as well as knowledge creation occurs from social collaborative processes.
- These approaches to innovation and to learning are not mutually exclusive. By deliberately combining them it is possible to include a maximum of actors as resources in the various learning processes and thus optimize the use of innovative resources of the firm. For the management of knowledge this involves deliberately building work systems with structural traits that foster informal forums for and practices of learning with strategic importance for the firm.
- The growing importance of knowledge and learning also poses challenges to human resourc management. Based on insights into drivers of knowledge and learning, main HRM functions such as recruitment, selestions, training,rewarding and retaining should be integrated better in organizations and into stategic considerations on the innovative performance of firms.
- Most of the organizational principles that support learning depend on active employee involvement related to planning and controlling the daily work. Thus, employee involvement and participation are important to knowledge management, on the level of collective regulation and cooperation with management.
- Management of knowledge and learning in firms involves interaction with key resources in the environment, such as schooling, vocational education and centres for knowledge dissemination. These are further embedded in a wider set of economic, social and cultural structures in societies. These institutional and social environments vary according to regions, nations and other entities, and firms' efforts in managing knowledge and learning have to take account of such variations.