John Cox

Blogs · @wyome

Tagged knowledge · everything

Tim Kastelle

Using Networks to Find Knowledge « Innovation Leadership Network

Organizations struggle to access dispersed expertise when making decisions under uncertainty, particularly in large companies where employees don't know whom to ask about emerging problems. A simulation study suggests that searching through formal departmental channels and subject-matter experts may be more efficient than relying on the most highly connected people in an organization. By systematically mapping and linking subject-matter experts to critical decision points, organizations could reduce the "I don't know who to ask" gap and better leverage their internal knowledge networks.

Permalink leadershipknowledge

jabaldaia

Valuing cultures and absorbing knowledge « jabaldaia

Organizations must develop absorptive capacity—the ability to assimilate and apply innovative knowledge from external sources—to remain competitive as information flows increasingly across borders. Success requires employees to cultivate cross-cultural skills including valuing diverse perspectives, building authentic relationships, careful observation, comfort with ambiguity, language mastery, crisis management, and conflict resolution. Beyond individual capabilities, organizations must support knowledge absorption through explicit values, training programs, structured initiatives, and communication networks that enable the translation and integration of external ideas into internal practice.

Permalink cultureleadershipbusinessknowledge

jabaldaia

Crossing spaces and ideas « jabaldaia

The piece argues that innovation emerges from cross-pollination—connecting ideas across diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds rather than developing them in isolation. It uses the metaphor of bees and gardeners to describe how organizations can become "idea pollinators" by hiring diverse talent, hosting interdisciplinary meetings, inviting external speakers, and working across varied projects, as exemplified by IDEO's systematic approach to sharing and combining knowledge from different fields.

Permalink leadershipcreativityadvicebusiness