Review

Collaborative Innovation and the Knowledge Economy

By Debra M. Amidon, published by The Society of Management Accountants of Canada
Available in French and English

Reviewed by Xenia Stanford

One of a trilogy of ENTOVATION publications that cover the State-of-the-Art and State-of-the-Practice, this has been incorporated as part of the issue papers available from Certified Management Accountants of Canada.

This paper recognizes the increasing importance of knowledge as both a driver of innovation and a product - in its own right - to be sold or shared for competitive advantage.

The only competitive advantage of the dynamic future is an organisation's ability to learn - create ideas and move them into the marketplace profitably and expeditiously. In fact, it is the one capacity which is difficult - even impossible - to imitate or emulate - because it is directly related to human capabilities. The company's ability to manage knowledge must be at the heart of a strategy to create distinctive competencies, unique market positioning and sustained growth over time.

It is not that organizations are at a loss for new ideas, but rather the infrastructure to effectively move ideas to prosperity (that is, the innovation cycle). This Issues Paper is designed to:

1. Outline the major trends - established, emerging and over the horizon;
2. Identify fragmented streams of activity which could be coalesced with a new common innovation language;
3. Define the core premise fundamental to a collaborative future of shared prosperity; and
4. Suggest a blueprint for a dialogue that may chart a direction toward the emerging 'world trade of ideas'.

This publication is descriptive rather than prescriptive. Although it is comprehensive in scope concerning concepts, language and worldwide thinking on the topic, it does not address specific implementation questions, such as:

• How does an organization organize to create a knowledge strategy?
• How do organizations with limited resources participate?
• How do talent limitations impact ability to impact strategies?
• What incentives will increase the capacity for knowledge-sharing?
• How to raise current staffing ability to higher knowledge levels?
• How do organizations continue during periods of turmoil?
• What knowledge products or markets are emerging?

Once the issues have been outlined and debated, a Management Accounting Guideline (MAG) will follow with specific steps on how best to capitalize upon the opportunities in your organization. For now, it is important to grasp that these changes are fundamental in the ways individuals work, industries evolve and societies prosper.

This publication comes with a warning label. It is designed as a mind-stretcher. Basic beliefs and fundamental principles will be challenged. As a state-of-the-future, it paints a somewhat ideal picture of an economic environment and business practices based upon building collaborative advantage, not competition. It may be considered somewhat techno-utopian, and neo-Luddites may have a counter view of how technology may change the nature of the global economy in the future. The focus shifts from problem solving to opportunity-identification. To deal with the inevitable complexity, it calls for a dual appreciation of natural evolution and rational thinking to optimize results. The foundation for management is one of knowledge innovation, not change management. For those who take a less deterministic view of the world, this focus on creativity and boundless resources will be refreshing.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION

The Knowledge Economy
Modern Management Language: Work-in-Process
Role of the CMA

II. RATIONALE

Assumptions
Wellsprings Metaphor
Spheres of Influence

III. A MILLENNIUM VISION

Macro-Trend Analysis
New Rules of Competition
New Set of Innovation Performance Metrics
5th Generation Management
Modern Value-System of Innovation
Multiple Economic Levels (micro-, meso- and macro-economic)
From Momentum to Standards

IV. RESOLVING THE PRODUCTIVITY PARADOX: ECONOMICS, BEHAVIOR AND TECHNOLOGY

V. COMMUNITY OF INNOVATION PRACTICE: FUNCTIONS, INDUSTRIES AND GEOGRAPHIES

VI. CURRENT INITIATIVES

VII. BLUEPRINT FOR 21ST CENTURY INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

The Case for Innovation
Creating the Innovation Culture
Crafting a World-wide Innovation Vision
Calibrating The Innovation Strategy

VIII. CONCLUSION

APPENDIX A Sample Definitions of Innovation
APPENDIX B Wellsprings Timelines
APPENDIX C Economics of Intangible Value
APPENDIX D Business Intelligence Case Study Profile
APPENDIX E Suggested Reading
APPENDIX F Related Web sites

For a more details, see www.entovation.com/backgrnd/future.htm#stateofart

There is also a One Day Practicum: An Interactive Workshop based on this handbook.

To Order

CMA has published this as one of 9 papers on Change Management available with a binder and slipcase for $165 or separately for $25 each.

See www.cma-canada.org/attachments/SMS_FULL_CATALOG.pdf for list on p.13 and order form on page 14 of the file.

Print and mail order form, request by e-mail at: Order Desk or call 1-800-520-4262.

 

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