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Article
Publication date: 12 September 2008

Kostas Metaxiotis and Kostas Ergazakis

Knowledge cities (KCs) are cities in which both the private and the public sectors value knowledge, nurture knowledge, spend money on supporting knowledge dissemination and

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Abstract

Purpose

Knowledge cities (KCs) are cities in which both the private and the public sectors value knowledge, nurture knowledge, spend money on supporting knowledge dissemination and discovery and harness knowledge to create products and services that add value and create wealth. Knowledge cities fall under a new area of academic research entitled knowledge‐based development (KBD), which brings together research in urban development and urban studies and planning with knowledge management and intellectual capital. The purpose of this paper is to advance the research in the KC area by exploring stakeholder knowledge partnerships in a knowledge city.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on their previous research, the authors' main discussion highlights the need for more effective local government and stakeholder knowledge partnerships to better support knowledge management (KM) initiatives in a KC and proposes a conceptual model, as a good research starting‐point, to assist local governments develop and capitalize on more effective knowledge‐based stakeholder partnerships.

Findings

The main issues related to local government‐stakeholder partnerships are discussed and several processes are analyzed that can facilitate more effective two‐way knowledge transfers between local government and stakeholders in a KC, which are fundamental for establishing successful knowledge partnerships.

Research limitations/implications

It would be interesting and useful to deepen the analysis made by the authors and look for more fundamental reasons behind their observations.

Originality/value

The main advantage of this paper is that it proposes a simplified conceptual model for stakeholder knowledge partnerships in knowledge cities.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 12 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2007

Kostas Ergazakis, Kostas Metaxiotis, John Psarras and Dimitrios Askounis

The concept of knowledge cities (KCs) offers advantages to any urban region. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated

1839

Abstract

Purpose

The concept of knowledge cities (KCs) offers advantages to any urban region. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated strategic plans in order to integrate this concept into their operational structures. The examination of their approaches reveals however that these initiatives are fragmented. The purpose of this paper is to present a multi‐dimensional and integrated decision support model for a KC's strategy formulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Reference is made to a methodological approach (KnowCis) for the integrated development of a KC, consisting of five main phases and taking into account nine different dimensions. The strategy formulation phase is a particularly complex procedure for any authority (e.g. local government or city's development agency). The reasons for this complexity are related to the amplitude of the KC concept, to the variety of the factors to be considered as well as to the challenge for balancing the needs and interests of different target groups.

Findings

The proposed model consists of the following building blocks: identification of the appropriate actions (based on the KnowCis methodology), modeling of the city's current status as a KC (via the development of related indicators), assessment of actions' necessity (based on the indicators' outcomes and through the benchmarking of other successful KCs cases), selection of the most appropriate form for each proposed action (based on their efficiency during the last reference period) and, finally, prioritisation of the proposed actions (based on a multi‐criteria approach).

Research limitations/implications

The main suggestion for future research is the development of an intelligent information system which will incorporate the building blocks of the proposed model.

Originality/value

The originality and value of the paper is that the proposed model can be a really helpful decision support tool for any city which is developing a knowledge‐based strategy.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 August 2011

Kostas Ergazakis and Kostas Metaxiotis

In the context of today's knowledge economy, development policies that are mainly based on knowledge as a primary source of wealth and added‐value are increasingly adopted by

1190

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of today's knowledge economy, development policies that are mainly based on knowledge as a primary source of wealth and added‐value are increasingly adopted by cities and countries. This tendency is becoming much more common due to the global financial crisis. Thus, the knowledge‐based development field has been in a state of important progress during the last decade. This paper seeks to discuss and highlight the major issues of knowledge‐based development. By doing so the paper aims to present an agenda for future research directions for the present decade of 2010‐2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an agenda for future research by co‐instantaneously presenting the status in relation to the major pending issues of the knowledge‐based development field. This is accomplished through a wide‐scope literature review and qualitative scoring of knowledge‐based development (KBD) categories.

Findings

The main finding is that research is needed in four main directions: development of holistic and unified approaches for the practical formulation of citizen‐centric knowledge‐based development strategies; knowledge‐based urban planning; knowledge‐based development assessment and metrics; practical aspects of implementation of knowledge‐based development approaches.

Research limitations/implications

Research in the paper is based on a wide literature review of the most important and added‐value available resources in the KBD field and in qualitative scoring of research categories. Use of empirical components such as citation analysis, field surveys, knowledge network analysis as well as for a specific approach regarding the scoring system would be needed in future research.

Originality/value

The discussion and issues presented in the paper should be of value not only to researchers and practitioners but also to cities and countries willing to design efficient and effective knowledge‐based development strategies.

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Kostas Ergazakis, Kostas Metaxiotis and John Psarras

In the new era of knowledge economy, knowledge and the processes to generate it and manage it are considered to be the most valuable assets of an organisation in the competitive

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Abstract

Purpose

In the new era of knowledge economy, knowledge and the processes to generate it and manage it are considered to be the most valuable assets of an organisation in the competitive business environment. Over the last years, intensive discussions have taken place about the importance of knowledge management for the whole of society, except for the business world. Today, there is a consensus among researcher and practitioner communities that the challenges facing modern societies call for development strategies that are knowledge‐based. Such strategies could enable humankind to pursue the vision of a global society in which all the basic human needs can be satisfied, while maintaining a healthy and physically attractive environment. However, general agreement has not yet been reached on which type of knowledge‐based development (KBD) strategy is the most advantageous and should be followed. This paper attempts, on the one side, through the study of current literature, to demonstrate the needs that should be fulfilled by KBD strategies and, on the other side, to justify why the relatively new concept of knowledge cities is the one that fully corresponds to these needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors attempt to review and analyse in a coherent way the current trends regarding KBD policies as well as to examine the needs to be addressed by successful KBD strategies, based on a wide range of published works, including papers, books, reports and web sites.

Findings

The main finding is that there are many issues that contemporary KBD policies should address and that the new concept of knowledge cities fully corresponds to these needs.

Research limitations/implications

Recommended directions for further action research are presented.

Originality/value

The distinguishing feature of this study is that it shows that the concept of a knowledge city is the most appropriate and advantageous model for a KBD strategy, fully complying with and satisfying their needs.

Details

VINE, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-5728

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

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

1862

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.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 10 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2009

Emmanouil Ergazakis, Kostas Ergazakis, Kostas Metaxiotis and Yannis Charalabidis

The purpose of this paper is to present how the topics of knowledge‐based development (KBD) and especially of knowledge cities (KCs) have attracted the interest of many

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present how the topics of knowledge‐based development (KBD) and especially of knowledge cities (KCs) have attracted the interest of many researchers and practitioners during recent years. In a previous research work of the authors, a set of hypotheses for the design, development and operation of successful KCs are proposed and validated through the analytical study of KCs cases in support of these hypotheses, resulting in a related framework. However, the rapid changes in the field render it necessary today to re‐examine the elements which had led to the formulation of the framework, so as to update it.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed so as to update the framework is based on the examination of the already identified KCs and the inclusion of five additional KCs cases. For the new set of KCs, the authors examine at which degree each case supports the hypotheses. Modifications in the set of hypotheses are proposed. The hypotheses that continue to be valid are considered as dominant, thus leading to the updated framework.

Findings

Among the main findings is that all cities previously examined continue to actively support their KBD, through a series of strategies and appropriate actions. The majority of the hypotheses continue to be valid, while three of them need to slightly change so as to adapt to prevailing current conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this paper can be of value for researchers seeking to develop specific customized methodologies for the development of KCs.

Originality/value

The main added‐value elements of this paper can be considered the re‐examination of the current status of a series of successful KCs on the one side and the update of the framework for the design, development and operation of KCs on the other side.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 13 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2004

Kostas Ergazakis, Kostas Metaxiotis and John Psarras

Over the past several years, there have been intensive discussions about the importance of knowledge management (KM) in our society. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that many KM…

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Abstract

Over the past several years, there have been intensive discussions about the importance of knowledge management (KM) in our society. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that many KM disciplines and practices are relevant to the social‐level knowledge‐based development. In this context, the new theme of “knowledge cities” came to the front. This paper attempts on the one hand to define the concept in a coherent way – presenting also its main implications and benefits – and on the other hand, to examine – on a worldwide scale – the different models of knowledge cities as well as modes of practice. The authors were based on a broad range of published works, including papers, books, reports and Web sites. The main approach was to briefly present the existing views of the concept, accompanied by some criteria determining a knowledge city. The authors also tried to provide a meaningful and concise review of existing cases, avoiding to get into many confusing details. This review provided valuable input for the definition of the key success factors and main benefits related to knowledge cities. This new concept is currently a main topic of interest for the research community and practitioners. It becomes clear that it has important benefits and in this way, focused research is needed towards many directions, in order for it to become a part of our life in near future. This integrated review is a very useful source of information for academics and practitioners who want to be acquainted with the knowledge cities concept.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 8 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Kostas Metaxiotis, Kostas Ergazakis and John Psarras

During the last 15 years, knowledge management (KM) has changed from one generation to the next through constant improvements and new perspectives. A myriad researchers have

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Abstract

Purpose

During the last 15 years, knowledge management (KM) has changed from one generation to the next through constant improvements and new perspectives. A myriad researchers have presented methodologies, frameworks, technologies and have discussed various KM theoretical and practical issues. However, KM still needs extensive development – it is in its infancy. This paper aims to explore the world of KM in a different way; to review the current status quo and analyze the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners in order to highlight the key issues which need to be further researched.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors attempt to review and analyze in a coherent way the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners – in the field of KM – based on a wide range of published works, including papers, books, reports and web sites.

Findings

Based on the key agreements among researchers and practitioners and having in mind the remaining disagreements, the third KM generation should proceed to further investigation of several KM issues and to further research.

Research limitations/implications

The key issues highlighted here need to be researched further. Following on from the individual‐knowledge focus of the 1970s/1980s and the group‐knowledge focus of the 1990s/2000s, the third KM generation should: develop criteria for evaluating frameworks, methodologies and approaches, and systems for measuring knowledge, intellectual capital and other assets; include double‐loop learning; analyse investments and costs of KM Systems; use modern technologies for transfer of explicit knowledge; and apply KM to other areas of social life. There is also a need to clarify the meanings of differences between the various concepts discussed here.

Originality/value

The distinguishing feature of this study is that it emphasizes placing KM in a broader context of researchers/practitioners’ discussions so that the key issues can be better recognized and understood.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2003

Kostas Metaxiotis, Kostas Ergazakis, Emannuel Samouilidis and John Psarras

Knowledge management (KM) has recently received considerable attention in the computer information systems community and is continuously gaining interest by industry, enterprises…

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Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) has recently received considerable attention in the computer information systems community and is continuously gaining interest by industry, enterprises and government. Decision support and KM processes are interdependent activities in many organizations. In all cases, decision makers always combine different types of data and knowledge available in various forms in the organization. One of the key – but also criticized – building blocks for advancing this field of knowledge management and consequently supporting the decision making is artificial intelligence (AI). In this framework, this paper aims to improve understanding of AI towards knowledge management. It examines and discusses both the potential and the limitations of basic AI technologies in terms of their capability to support the KM process and shares thoughts and estimations on further research on the development of the next generation decision support environments.

Details

Information Management & Computer Security, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-5227

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Kostas Ergazakis and John E. Psarras

It is common knowledge that during the last decade markets have become extremely competitive with product variety increasing continuously and product life cycles shortening. Many…

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Abstract

It is common knowledge that during the last decade markets have become extremely competitive with product variety increasing continuously and product life cycles shortening. Many manufacturing companies, which hitherto satisfied their customers while operating specific production systems, were recently obliged to reconsider because of the potential superiority of other “manufacturing philosophies”. In the literature, we meet a great variety of production systems and manufacturing philosophies, while, on the other side, in industry we usually find different combinations of “primary” productions systems. In this paper, we present the existing “state‐of‐the‐art” theoretical and experiential knowledge about productions systems, as well as describe their basic characteristics in a useful, exact and comprehensive way for practitioners and software houses who want to have a knowledge base for further research and practical implementation in the wider field of production management, planning and scheduling.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 101 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

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