Phenomenological turbulence and innovation in knowledge systems
(2003) Phenomenological turbulence and innovation in knowledge systems. Prometheus 21(2):pp. 231-246.
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Abstract
Most considerations of knowledge management focus on corporations and, until recently, considered knowledge to be objective, stable, and asocial. In this paper we wish to move the focus away from corporations, and examine knowledge and national innovation systems. We argue that the knowledge systems in which innovation takes place are phenomenologically turbulent, a state not made explicit in the change, innovation and socioeconomic studies of knowledge literature, and that this omission poses a serious limitation to the successful analysis of innovation and knowledge systems. To address this lack we suggest that three evolutionary processes must be considered: self-referencing, self-transformation and self-organisation. These processes, acting simultaneously, enable system cohesion, radical innovation and adaptation. More specifically, we argue that in knowledge-based economies the high levels of phenomenological turbulence drives these processes. Finally, we spell out important policy principles that derive from these processes.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| RM Number: | 2004002017 |
| Status: | Published |
| Keywords: | complexity theory, knowledge management; knowledge systems; public policy; self-organisation; self-referencing; self-transformation |
| Subjects: | 360000 Policy and Political Science > 360200 Policy and Administration > 360201 Public Policy 280000 Information, Computing and Communication Sciences |
| ID Code: | 9229 |
| Deposited By: | Collie, Natalie |
| Deposited On: | 31 August 2007 |
| Alternative Locations: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08109020308127 |
| Copyright Owner: | Copyright 2003 Taylor & Francis |
| Copyright Statement: | First published in Prometheus 21(2):pp. 231-246. |