La conoscenza e le reti: gli orizzonti competitivi del caso italiano e una riflessione metodologica sull'economia di impresa
This paper underlines the close relationship between knowledge and networks, even going so far as to argue for the importance of organising the production of knowledge in a network, and stressing the fact that networks are the ideal models for the development of knowledge itself.
The paper, after pausing to consider the salient points concerning the Ford era, during which decision taking power was considered to be of the greatest importance, goes on to show how companies are no longer based on work of the manipulative type but rather how companies have become cognitive systems, based on work which aims to develop further knowledge and consolidate what is already known, in so doing it provides further value. This new concept leads us to see the importance of increasing knowledge within the economic system, and takes us then to the definition of networks as systems for communication and relationship forming, on two levels, as well as being fed by a morphogenetic process.
From a methodological point of view, then, we move on to look at reality where imperfect network types exist and we present the American model (service economy) and the Japanese one (knowledge sharing). After that we present the Italian case too, which must include the ability to act on renovating industrial poilicy required in order for these networks to be created. Some possible alternatives are suggested regarding this matter including both flexibility and risk-sharing.
