Scientific knowledge and implications for its diffusion

Considers some external aspects influencing the dynamics of firms’ knowledge base. Argues that the successful management of the knowledge base in a fast changing innovative environment is closely related to three kinds of knowledge acquisition channels, these are: the recruitment of people; the external informal networks of employees; and formal cooperation of the firm with other institutional agents. Focusing on firms’ interaction with research institutions, suggests a typology of scientific knowledge which allows us to analyse how different types of knowledge are associated with different knowledge acquisition channels. Because of the close interlinkages among the channels, knowledge (unlike information) is not freely floating in the system. Rather, its effective transfer and commercial exploitation is contingent on the mobility of people, as well as the extent to which they draw on their informal networks. Spells out some of the implications for recruitment policy and firm location.