Balancing Exploration and Exploitation by Creating Organizational Think Tanks

2008
ISBN: 978-3-8349-0935-0
Verlag: Gabler Verlag

Buch, Englisch, 143 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm, Gewicht: 212 g

Key for successful knowledge management is a balance between exploration and exploitation. Danger arises when exploration is neglected in favour of exploitation since that may result in an organization which lacks innovation capability. In order to prevent this, an idea has been put forward in recent knowledge management research called ambidexterity, which means the simultaneous and balanced pursuing of both exploration and exploitations activities.

Tatjana-Xenia Puhan follows up on this idea by concluding that ambidexterity need not necessarily be implemented in one single organization but can also be realised in a network of associated organizations. The interorganizational ambidexterity is based on co-specialisation: one organisation is devoted solely to exploration while associated organizations focus on their competences in exploitation. Furthermore, the author develops the concept of think tanks as organizations that concentrate on radical innovations while their network associates exploit this newly generated knowledge commercially. Against the background of the hitherto largely inconclusive debate, this work is an outstanding contribution both to knowledge management research and to practical organisational structuring.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Puhan, Tatjana-Xenia

Weitere Mitwirkende

Frost, Prof. Dr. Jetta

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Wissenssoziologie, Wissenschaftssoziologie, Techniksoziologie
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Management Wissensmanagement

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Problems and concepts of R&D alignment.- Shifting think tanks from the macro-to a meso-level.- Critical issues of the organizational think tank approach.- Conclusion.

Über Autor(innen)

Tatjana-Xenia Puhan ist wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin von Prof. Dr. Markus Nöth am Lehrstuhl Bankbetriebslehre und Behavioral Finance an der Universität Hamburg.