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The successful launch of an innovative product or service is driven by an unexplored market opportunity or a technological breakthrough. Oftentimes, however, firms lack the necessary resource capabilities to exploit new market opportunities; alternately, markets may not exist for firms to successfully profit from technological breakthroughs. In other words, firms suffer from performance gaps between their market opportunities and their resource capabilities. In this study, we organize the growing literature on knowledge management to develop the concept of a knowledge value chain, which we characterize as the transformative engine by which a firm can close such performance gaps. In addition to motivating the framework through case studies and placing the existing research literature in knowledge management within this framework, we also identify several directions of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this paper is twofold: to analyze the genetic counseling process for breast cancer with a theoretical knowledge transfer lens and to compare generalists, medical specialists, and genetic counselors with regards to their genetic counseling practices. This paper presents the genetic counseling process occurring within a chain of value-adding activities of four main stages describing health professionals' clinical practices: (1) evaluation, (2) investigation, (3) information, and (4) decision. It also presents the results of a cross-sectional study based on a Canadian medical doctors and genetic counselors survey (n = 176) realized between July 2012 and March 2013. The statistical exercise included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests. The results indicate that even though all types of health professionals are involved in the entire process of genetic counseling for breast cancer, genetic counselors are more involved in the evaluation of breast cancer risk, while medical doctors are more active in the decision toward breast cancer risk management strategies. The results secondly demonstrate the relevance and the key role of genetic counselors in the care provided to women at-risk of familial breast cancer. This paper presents an integrative framework to understand the current process of genetic counseling for breast cancer in Canada, and to shed light on how and where health professionals contribute to the process. It also offers a starting point for assessing clinical practices in genetic counseling in order to establish more clearly where and to what extent efforts should be undertaken to implement future genetic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to provide a complementary approach of knowledge value chain management and the organizational chain of knowledge within strategic alliances. This paper explains a synthetic approach to integrated models of the knowledge value chain in strategic alliances. It combines the knowledge value chain, an enterprise value chain, and a knowledge chain. There is a large body of literature focusing on the crucial role and importance of knowledge management and the issue of its transfer between companies in the effective management. However, publications showing the model of knowledge transfer within cooperation, as well as focusing on the determinants of efficient flow of knowledge are rare. This article presents the characteristics of key aspects of knowledge management in a strategic alliance in the context of value chains of partner companies, as well as knowledge chains and knowledge value chains. On the basis of data retrieved from various sources, a model of knowledge transfer between companies in strategic alliance is proposed. An important finding is that integration of the value chain, knowledge chains and knowledge value chains of enterprises increase the efficiency of knowledge transfer. Moreover, key factors that determine the companies mutual learning process in alliances have been identified. The approach proposed is potentially an effective strategic method for creating superior value and knowledge-based competitive advantage in alliances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wink R. Gatekeepers and proximity in science-driven sectors in Europe and Asia: the case of human embryonic stem cell research, Regional Studies. The production of new knowledge cannot only rely on regional innovation systems but needs also creative inputs and diversity by interactions with actors in other regions. Science-based sectors such as stem cell research with its narrow linkage of basic research from different scientific disciplines, a diversified set of applications and potential commercial products for different markets depend particularly on institutions to enhance interactions between actors in different regions to improve efficiency of knowledge production. Gatekeepers serve to provide interface nodes between regional innovation systems by different forms of proximity. The paper analyses political approaches to support gatekeepers in stem cell science in three European and three Asian countries and their impact on the organization of knowledge production... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on action research (AR) project's knowledge management (KM) aspect which took place at the Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd., a large manufacturing organization in Great Britain. It is noted that the Achieving Learning Through Action Research (ALTAR) approach has been developed for the mentioned project. This ALTAR approach was created to facilitate academic research and organizational learning which involves several AR cycles at various levels of the collaborating organization.

Given the expanding knowledge base in cancer genomics, risk-based screening is among the promising avenues to improve breast cancer (BC) prevention and early detection at the population level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions of healthcare professionals (HPs) regarding the implementation of such an approach and identify tools that can support HPs. After undertaking an in-depth thematic content analysis of the responses, 11 themes were identified. These were embedded into a logical model to distinguish the potential eligible participants (who?), the main clinical activities (how?) and associated tools (what?), the key factors of acceptability (which?), and the expected effects of the strategy (why?). Overall, it was found that the respondents positively welcomed the implementation of this strategy and agreed on some of the benefits that could accrue to women from tailored risk-based screening. Some important elements, however, deserve clarification. The results also highlight three main conditions that should be met to foster the acceptability of BC risk stratification: respecting the principle of equity, paying special attention to knowledge management, and rethinking human resources to capitalize on the strengths of the current workforce. Because the functioning of BC risk-based screening is not yet well defined, important planning work is required before advancing this organizational innovation, and outstanding issues must be resolved to get HPs on board. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]