Knowledge-intensive Business Services Companies Research Articles

Multitasking in Knowledge Intensive Business Services

The objectives of this study were two-fold. First, to analyze multitasking activities in Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) and the employees’ perception of multitasking effects on individual and organizational performance. Second, to explore associations between the perception of multitasking and individual Time Management Orientation (TMO). The research study employed an online survey methodology. The questionnaire contained 56 questions organised in four groups. Methods of relationship analysis and regression analysis were applied to get answers to the research questions. The study indicated that the employees of surveyed KIBS were strongly engaged in multitasking activities in their workplaces. The informants estimated that on average they worked on nine different tasks per day. Additionally, their working days were filled with interruptions, caused either by external factors or self-interruptions. The majority of respondents also admitted that the ability to multitask was considered their job requirement, thus supporting the findings of other studies that KIBS do prefer multitasking employees. The effects of multitasking on individual and organizational performance were perceived ambiguously by the respondents. Meanwhile, the majority of respondents (above 70%), regardless of the level of polychronicity, admitted that they were able to make good decisions and concentrate better when they worked on one task at a time. The data analysis confirmed the findings reported earlier that individuals with more polychronic TMO did perceive multitasking as having more positive than negative effects both at the individual and organisational levels. Human multitasking has been widely researched in such fields as medicine, command and control, aviation, information technologies, but there is little detailed empirical evidence on multitasking in KIBS such as management consulting, research and development, architecture, engineering services, design, and advertising. Our research provides a fresh view on the human aspects of KIBS companies which can be of help in addressing the related managerial issues. The setting of the optimal number of tasks, task allocation considering employees’ individual differences, designing of workflows require further research as this may give the KIBS company managers guidelines and tools for organizing productive multitasking towards enhanced work efficiency and effectiveness and employees’ well-being.

Serviços Intensivos em Conhecimento e Serviços Tradicionais: Um Panorama Intersetorial de Micro e Pequenas Empresas

Objetivo: Verificar se a longevidade das Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPEs) de Serviços Intensivos em Conhecimento (SICs) é diferente das MPEs de Setores Tradicionais de Serviço (STSs).Metodologia/abordagem: Foram realizadas análises quantitativas de dados secundários, coletados na Junta Comercial do Estado de Minas Gerais (JUCEMG) e no Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE).Principais resultados: A primeira hipótese, que afirma que as empresas de SICs têm porcentagem maior de pessoas empregadas com nível de educação superior em relação a empresas de STSs, não foi rejeitada pela pesquisa. A segunda hipótese, que afirma que as empresas de SICs têm uma longevidade maior do que empresas de STSs, foi rejeitada pela pesquisa.Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: Estudos anteriores alegaram que os SICs são fontes importantes de inovação, porém não foram encontrados estudos que analisassem e comparassem a longevidade das MPEs de SICs e STSs. Os estudos anteriores também não apresentavam uma classificação uniforme sobre os SICs. No presente estudo, foi realizada a análise da longevidade dos SICs e elaborada uma consolidação das definições dos SICs associando-as com a Classificação Nacional de Atividades Econômicas do IBGE. Tal associação pode ser aplicada em outras pesquisas.Relevância/originalidade: As MPEs são reconhecidas por possuírem grande importância social e econômica, principalmente pela geração de empregos. E os SICs são reconhecidos pela geração de inovação para outras empresas, elemento esse que pode ser decisivo para a competitividade. Portanto, o estudo das MPEs de setores SICs tem relevante importância econômica.

Searching for innovation knowledge: insight into KIBS companies

The paper analyses the activity of research for “innovation knowledge”—here defined as knowledge that can lead to the introduction of service innovations—by Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) companies. It proposes a classification of the possible search approaches adopted by those companies based on two dimensions: the pro-activity of search efforts and the source primarily used. Such classification is then discussed on the basis of the findings of a multiple case-study investigation involving 15 Italian and Polish KIBS companies. The study confirms that KIBS firms follow various approaches to acquire knowledge for innovation: some companies adopt a passive behaviour (i.e. innovative ideas come as a kind of side effect of their daily business activities), while others an active one (namely, they actively search for new ideas originating from various sources); some rely more on internal resources (employees, in-house R&D, internal documents, etc.), while others on external sources (clients, suppliers, service providers, universities, etc.). The results of the study have implications both for research and management that are discussed in the conclusions.

Science and technology parks as accelerators of knowledge-intensive business services. A case study

This article provides a framework of support to the performance assessment of the scientific and technologic parks (STPs) in their role as accelerators of innovation and creation of spin-offs in universities, particularly in the knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) industry. We based our study on the theoretical framework of the model of 'triple helix' applied to entrepreneurship, and we analysed the case of Spain as a landmark in the development of STPs in Europe. The analysis of the dynamics of growth of these organisations has enabled us to identify some criteria that allow decisionmakers to assess the STPs attractiveness as support infrastructure for KIBS companies.

Service Pyramid Concept of Knowledge Intensive Business Services in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Sector

The activity of service companies is more complex today than before the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) became widespread in business. Fewer service companies can be found on the market based solely on physical customer interaction; however, they have been replaced with standardized and automated services. This structural change can be observed particularly among Knowledge Intensive Business Services (KIBS) companies where the use of ICT is not simply a market requirement, but a competition tool, as well. Without the application of any ICT instrument, a KIBS company could not meet market expectations, and furthermore, business developments are mainly ICT-based. On the other hand, companies need to develop their businesses more and more, as KIBS companies which are not able to differentiate themselves as trustworthy on the business services market will disappear. ‘Just another business service company’ cannot really sell today. This is applicable to a greater extent to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME), where ICT has opened market opportunities that have never existed for them before. The aim of this paper is to highlight the new features of KIBS business activities in the SME sector and the related research questions.

Entrepreneurs’ Knowledge and Network: What Matters the Most? The Case of Knowledge-Intensive Firms

The increasing importance of knowledge for the development of firms and territories has enhanced the interest in knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS). Drawing on the intrinsic features of KIBS (a strong knowledge base and an extended network of partners and clients), this paper aims to contribute to the literature on entrepreneurship by examining the extent to which entrepreneurs’ human and social capital support their KIBS firms’ performance at different stages of their organizational life-cycle. Based on a sample of Italian KIBS companies, human capital was found to affect a firm’s performance during its early development, whereas social capital took the fore during its expansion. We discuss the implications for research on entrepreneurship and KIBS development policies.

Knowledge-intensity as an organisational characteristic

The sector of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) has a central role in modern economies. However, there are no explicit and generally acknowledged criteria for characterising KIBS or other knowledge-intensive organisations. In addition, the concept of knowledge-intensity has no significant managerial use. This paper aims to widen the existing understanding about the concept of knowledge-intensity and take a step towards its operational application and managerial usefulness. Methodologically, two steps are carried out. First, a conceptual study based on intellectual capital literature and literature on knowledge-intensive firms is carried out. Second, an interview study (n=8) is carried out to empirically examine the role of knowledge assets in selected KIBS organisations. This paper contributes by tackling the vagueness of the concept of knowledge-intensity: the paper demonstrates that there are different types of ‘knowledge-intensity profiles’ among KIBS companies and that knowledge assets can be used as an analytical framework to identify the sources of value creation.