Multiple perspectives on knowledge generating networks

Summary form only given. In management of technology, we need to deal with several knowledge-related processes such as knowledge generation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge transfer etc. The knowledge network becomes a common form of knowledge creation structure for both the basic scientific research and the technological R&D. The knowledge generating network (KGN) represents a new challenge as an object of management because it is different from any conventional form of R&D organization. Instead of being a strictly defined organizational unit, with its boundaries of responsibility and range of resources, KGN is a structure that is fuzzy in its nature, partly open, requires a different system of control, motivation and evaluation. The technology manager needs to take into consideration a number of specific properties of KGN and to view it as a sociotechnical community. KGN contributes differently to different elements of R&D process. A review of those elements and functions that KGN may perform, in case of basic research and in technologically oriented R&D, indicates that importance of KGN depends on the phase of respective process. Two levels of importance: high and low are distinguished in tables illustrating that dependence. The Linstone multiple perspective approach to analysis of complex sociotechnical systems allowed us to identify twelve properties that have impact on performance of all major functions within the R&D process. The system under consideration (i.e. KGN) is viewed simultaneously from personal, organizational and technical perspectives