Knowledge integration across organizations: how different types of knowledge suggest different ‘integration trajectories’

Abstract

In this paper we establish a framework for analysing knowledge integration across organizations. In particular, we look at knowledge integration from a corporate perspective, to pinpoint the main challenges of a firm wishing to effectively integrate knowledge among its business units in order to contribute either to its efficiency as a unique firm or to its effectiveness in the form of improved competitive positioning and advantage. Knowledge integration considerations are important in today's business landscape, where the so-called ‘knowledge economy’ progresses. We propose to think in terms of ‘knowledge integration trajectories’ that can be derived from different knowledge needs of firms as a way of understanding how, over time, knowledge integration processes and relationships evolve and emerge in different forms. Our conceptualization offers some key insights into effectively managing knowledge integration across organizations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.