CyberKM: harnessing dynamic knowledge for competitive advantage through cyberspace

Abstract

Knowledge is key to sustainable competitive advantage, but different kinds of knowledge affect competitive advantage differently, and they exhibit qualitatively different dynamic properties and behaviors. This places particular importance on understanding the dynamics of knowledge as it flows from where and when it is to where and when it is needed. Given the increasingly strategic importance of computer networks in terms of achieving, defending and ultimately sustaining competitive advantage, understanding how to manage dynamic knowledge through Cyberspace has become critical to organizational survival. Unfortunately, considerable confusion and uncertainty regarding Cyberspace knowledge management (CyberKM) abound and persist, rendering pursuits of sustainable competitive advantage daunting at best and infeasible in many cases. The research described in this paper builds upon Knowledge Flow Theory to illustrate a scheme for measuring dynamic knowledge flows in the cyber domain. Through this novel approach to measurement, one can analyze and visualize the relative power, speed and proliferation of both tacit and explicit knowledge through organizations, which enables knowledge leaders, managers and workers to understand the comparative costs and benefits of alternate approaches to and technologies for managing cyber knowledge. This work articulates a clear set of tradeoffs facing decision makers in Cyberspace, and it provides principles-based techniques for making cyber knowledge decisions in a rational and informed manner. Hence we offer a theoretical contribution suitable for academic journals, but we highlight in particular current, practical application through enhanced decision making in the context of harnessing dynamic knowledge for sustainable competitive advantage through Cyberspace.