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1 – 10 of over 83000The city can be viewed from many perspectives. In this article the author's perspective will be the city as knowledge tool. In the knowledge economy it might be argued that one of…
Abstract
Purpose
The city can be viewed from many perspectives. In this article the author's perspective will be the city as knowledge tool. In the knowledge economy it might be argued that one of the most essential dimensions will be the relational as well as organizational dimensions, such as a city. The city is the larger context, or structural capital surrounding the human capital, for the value creation dynamics. This also implies that the city is a very complex issue but also highly dynamic knowledge context.
Design/methodology/approach
The method is literature review, empirical project case observations and creative research.
Findings
The city might be seen in this context of a more or less good city regime to support the value creation from and for the knowledge workers. Then the distinction can be that a knowledge city is purposely designed for encouraging and nourishing the collective knowledge, i.e. intellectual capital, as capabilities to shape efficient and sustainable actions of welfare over time. The city can be seen as the structural capital surrounding the human capital but also the relational capital connecting the human capital with the structural capital to give a higher value adding for the knowledge worker.
Practical implications
The city design is the critical organizational and relational capital of tomorrow for the knowledge worker. The city concept and design of its new urbanism, i.e. people migrating into cities, is becoming more and more of a strategic tool in the global competition of knowledge or talent war. To shape the efficient interface for the individual knowledge worker to leverage the global opportunity space with a local opportunity space. In the case of urban design for the knowledge economy this might take us to the need for designing a knowledge port for the knowledge flow as an exchange design for the intangible flows.
Originality/value
This paper views the larger structural capital surrounding the knowledge worker by both looking at some cases as well as stating a preliminary model of drivers for design of a knowledge city. These mentioned cases or forecasts might have strong impact on the urban design for attracting and nourishing citizens for the growth of social capital as network of friends into a new type of urbanism for minds. The knowledge city design is a unifying concept that will help to integrate perspectives of economics, urban studies and knowledge management. The design of a knowledge harbor concept is a multidisciplinary issue and is now being prototyped in reality.
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Denise A. D. Bedford, Jennifer K. Donley and Nancy Lensenmayer
The transformation from an industrial to a knowledge economy and society are underway. In the knowledge economy, the knowledge of people and organizations—their intellectual…
Abstract
The transformation from an industrial to a knowledge economy and society are underway. In the knowledge economy, the knowledge of people and organizations—their intellectual capital assets—are the primary factors of production and the source of wealth. This is in contrast to other kinds of capital that fueled the industrial and the agricultural economies. Librarians have understood the knowledge society as one characterized by an increased focus on digital resources and an expanded use of virtual channels to deliver those resources. However, the nature of the knowledge society and economy is far more expansive than a digital environment. A knowledge society is one in which all members of a society engage in knowledge transactions—in the business environment, in the social sphere, in civic activities, and in everyday environmental actions. This view of the knowledge society presents new opportunities for librarians to leverage their intellectual capital. This chapter profiles the intellectual capital assets of librarians, considers how they align with professional competencies, and presents use cases that illustrate the value of these assets. Future scenarios illustrate how traditional functional competencies might shift in the knowledge economy. These also suggest contexts which highlight undervalued or new competencies. Seven observations describe how librarians might prepare for expanded roles in the knowledge society.
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The purpose of this article is to investigate the engineering of creative urban regions through knowledge‐based urban development. In recent years city administrators realised the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate the engineering of creative urban regions through knowledge‐based urban development. In recent years city administrators realised the importance of engineering and orchestrating knowledge city formation through visioning and planning for economic, socio‐cultural and physical development. For that purpose a new development paradigm of “knowledge‐based urban development” is formed, and quickly finds implementation ground in many parts of the globe.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the literature and examines global best practice experiences in order to determine how cities are engineering their creative urban regions so as to establish a base for knowledge city formation.
Findings
The paper sheds light on the different development approaches for creative urban regions, and concludes with recommendations for urban administrations planning for knowledge‐based development of creative urban regions.
Originality/value
The paper provides invaluable insights and discussion on the vital role of planning for knowledge‐based urban development of creative urban regions.
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María del Rosario González Ovalle, José Antonio Alvarado Márquez and Samuel David Martínez Salomón
The purpose of this article is to provide organized, synthesized information related to initiatives throughout the world based on knowledge‐based development (KBD) such as…
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to provide organized, synthesized information related to initiatives throughout the world based on knowledge‐based development (KBD) such as knowledge cities (KCs), knowledge regions, and knowledge countries. A first search was conducted using the Internet and specialized databases under the keywords “knowledge cities”. The information compiled led to other related keywords which branched out the search. All resulting information was then collated and integrated into a number of categories all unified under the field of knowledge‐based development. A compilation of information on the topic “knowledge cities” and other topics related to knowledge‐based development. The information is presented in eight sections: a glossary of KC‐related terms, a list of knowledge‐based development initiatives, a list of associations and organizations related to the topic, a list of urban KBD‐related value dimensions and their indicators, a list of international rankings, a list of special editions on KCs, a bibliography, and a directory of related sites on the Internet. This effort resulted in a public service available at the World Wide Web. The information included in this compilation is limited mainly to public domain information available throughout Internet in both English and Spanish, as well as in selected databases.
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Ron Dvir and Edna Pasher
Innovation is the process of turning knowledge and ideas into value. An “urban innovation engine” is a system which can trigger, generate, foster and catalyze innovation in the…
Abstract
Innovation is the process of turning knowledge and ideas into value. An “urban innovation engine” is a system which can trigger, generate, foster and catalyze innovation in the city. This paper describes the concept of the “urban innovation engine”, provides some historical and contemporary examples, and suggests a set of guidelines for turning ordinary urban institutions into innovation engines. The paper has two purposes: to trigger further theoretic and action research and exploration in the domain of urban innovation. In recent years there has been intensive research about the conditions (“ecology”) which enable and catalyze knowledge development and innovation in the business world. A second new focus area in the research of knowledge development is the role of the city as a hub for intensive flows and exchanges of knowledge among its habitants and additional stakeholders. We suggest weaving the learning from the business and urban worlds by attempting to apply the dimensions of innovation ecology models to knowledge cities. More specifically, we look at multiple traditional urban constructs, and show how they might act as significant drivers for creativity and renewal. Typically an urban innovation engine is a complex system that includes people, relationships, values, processes, tools and technological, physical and financial infrastructure. We suggest that what innovation engines really do is to create conversations – which are the foundation of most innovations. We bring some examples and snap‐shots from several urban innovation engines such as the museum, the library, the stock exchange, the café, the brownfield, the grand fair, the outlook tower, and the industrial district. The paper conceptualizes the notion of “urban innovation engines”. Based on this concept, it provides a set of guidelines for creating a knowledge city using innovation engines as its building blocks, and innovation ecology elements as an important part of its operating system.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the limitations and potential usefulness of a “knowledge city” concept as diversification vehicle for property investors.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the limitations and potential usefulness of a “knowledge city” concept as diversification vehicle for property investors.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper first dissects the “knowledge city” concept and then investigates whether it inoculates against economic turbulence as measured by growth and jobs recovery. The paper also looks at the protection offered by middle class population growth.
Findings
The idea of the “knowledge city” comes from earlier economic constructs but concentrated at the urban scale. There are two versions – a technical and one enriched with institutional and social dimensions. The limited analysis of selective secondary data suggests that “knowledge city” and strong middle class population growth provide some protection from economic and, presumably, property market instability.
Research limitations/implications
Statistical limitations include arbitrary sample frames; lack of data and unclear spatial resolution, short time frames for aggregate analysis. Further research requires, first, a structured grading of knowledge precincts and, second, randomised sampling of individual properties to investigate any links between total risk‐adjusted performance is measured over a decade.
Practical implications
To mitigate risk, investors should consider re‐weighting their portfolios to increase exposure to knowledge cities and second‐tier but fast growing cities in emerging countries.
Social implications
A knowledge‐city cannot be imposed by infrastructure, technology or place configuration alone. It involves multiple precinct configurations and subsidiarity. Institutions and people matter. A broader knowledge‐city conceptualisation helps inform planning, management and oversight for regional second‐tier cities.
Originality/value
Dissecting, noting the limits and drawing out the practical implications of the “knowledge city” concept.
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Renata P. Dameri and Francesca Ricciardi
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how the intellectual capital (IC) approach and concepts could be fruitfully adapted to study the smart city phenomenon from a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether and how the intellectual capital (IC) approach and concepts could be fruitfully adapted to study the smart city phenomenon from a managerial point of view.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on a long-term, in-depth ethnographic exploration of the vast global community, which is created around the smart city movement.
Findings
The analysis suggests that, in order to effectively analyse a smart city context through the IC lens, the traditional IC framework needs to be extended for: expected outcomes, which should also include sustainability, resilience and quality of life; categories of key resources, which should also include institutional capital and environmental capital; units of analysis, which should also include territorial systems, such as transportation or waste; and key managerial challenges implied. As a final result, a smart city intellectual capital (SC-IC) framework is proposed.
Research limitations/implications
Most of the cases analysed in this study are European; further studies are advisable to better investigate non-European smart city contexts.
Practical implications
The paper suggests that the knowledge management, project portfolio management and network management approaches are crucial to better support managerial practices in smart city organizations.
Originality/value
The SC-IC framework allows for a clear definition of the smart city organization, as a new knowledge-based, project-oriented, network-shaped type of organization. Therefore, the SC-IC framework provides smart city research with a consistent rooting in management studies. Further, this paper contributes to the fourth stage of IC research.
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Duwaraka Murugadas, Stefanie Vieten, Janina Nikolic and Agnes Mainka
The Department of Information Science of the Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf is currently conducting a research project on Informational World Cities – the prototypical…
Abstract
Purpose
The Department of Information Science of the Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf is currently conducting a research project on Informational World Cities – the prototypical cities of the knowledge society, which have been growing in the twenty-first century. In total, 31 potential Informational World Cities were identified and a set of criteria was developed to evaluate the degree of informativeness of a city through coherent criteria. The purpose of this paper is to investigate London.
Design/methodology/approach
The investigation was based on the Grounded Theory, ethnographic field research, interviews, bibliometrics, patentometrics, official statistics and the analysis of web content. During the stay in London, eight semi-standardised interviews according to SERVQUAL were conducted.
Findings
The characteristics of an Informational World City are well-marked in most cases, especially London’s knowledge infrastructure. Furthermore London places value on smart innovations and tries to adapt public transport to the growing population. This includes, next to an enhancement of the train capacities, information and communication technology, since the digital infrastructure keeps gaining importance. The ethnic/cultural diversity as well as the international connectivity and the creative infrastructure are also distinguishing marks of London. Nevertheless, especially the digital and smart infrastructure require enhancement. London’s government is ambitioned, though, to make progress and pursues plans which are of benefit to the city’s informativeness.
Social implications
This paper gives insight into the characteristics of the prototypical city of the upcoming knowledge society.
Originality/value
This paper follows an interdisciplinary approach and combines information science, urban studies and sociology to analyse cities of the knowledge society. Furthermore it is the first time that London is considered an Informational World City in an empirical study.
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Kostas Ergazakis, Kostas Metaxiotis, John Psarras and Dimitris Askounis
The concept of knowledge cities (KCs) is particularly advantageous for any contemporary city. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of knowledge cities (KCs) is particularly advantageous for any contemporary city. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated strategic plans in order to be transformed into KCs. The examination of their approaches reveals that these initiatives are fragmented and there is not a unified and coherent methodological approach. The purpose of this paper is to present the basic elements of a methodological approach for the integrated development of a KC.
Design/methodology/approach
The examination and analysis of many cities' approaches, on a previous research work, have permitted one to identify an emerging pattern of successful KCs' main characteristics and features. These characteristics served as the basis in order to develop a methodological approach for the development of a KC.
Findings
The paper presents the basic elements of a methodological approach, named KnowCis (knowledge cities), which consists of five main phases.
Research limitations/implications
The concept of KCs is very broad and consequently the purpose of the proposed approach is to incorporate all the related aspects. A suggestion for future research is the enhancement of the approach in order to incorporate additional aspects of a city's life.
Practical implications
The KnowCis approach is a useful tool for any city that intends to be developed as a KC. At this stage there is an ongoing collaboration with a Greek city for its pilot application.
Originality/value
The approach presented in this paper is unified and it can be easily adapted in order to comply with the particular characteristics of each city.
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Lara Penco, Enrico Ivaldi, Carolina Bruzzi and Enrico Musso
The purpose of this paper is to answer the following research questions: Is the knowledge of a city environment a stimulus for entrepreneurship? Which knowledge profiles of cities…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to answer the following research questions: Is the knowledge of a city environment a stimulus for entrepreneurship? Which knowledge profiles of cities are more propulsive in order to stimulate entrepreneurship?
Design/methodology/approach
In order to answer the aforementioned research questions, two multidimensional indexes have been created: Knowledge-Based City Developing Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship (ENT). The sample includes all capital cities in the EU28. The presence of cities from EU28 countries is important to foster the entrepreneurial attitude in each European Country. The authors have also included 32 non-capital cities in the EU that are important hubs, contributing to a sample formed of 60 cities.
Findings
The empirical results show that the social and cultural environment may significantly improve the entrepreneurship in EU cities, more than others factors that are usually connected to economic development.
Originality/value
The work tries to contribute to the debate on urban economic development and entrepreneurship, providing implication for academics and urban policy makers.
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