25 February Governance of the Corporation (...knowledge...)

[Paul Terlemezian]

In the agricultural era - the "corporation" needed to have "arable acres" and "cows." Society implemented "deeds" and "ironing brands" to identify and manage these assets. It was clear who owned the land and the mobile assets.

 

In the industrial era - the "corporation" needed property, plant and equipment. Society implemented an investment environment (stock market, tax law, industrial standards, patent protection) to capitalize and protect these investments. Once again it was clear who owned what.

 

In the post-industrial era - the "corporation" needs to be able to attract and hold effective knowledge workers. What is being done to protect the assets of the corporation? Who owns the knowledge?

 

Who owns the knowledge that is created while the worker is employed? How is the existence of previous knowledge applied?

 

Formal learning activities may be managed and protected - is this possible or desirable?

What about knowledge gained informally (including knowledge gained outside the work environment or at the employees's personal expense?)

 

What is the corporate training organization doing to help the corporation govern knowledge as an asset?

What local, state, federal laws need to evolve?  Will they? Should they?

[Paul Terlemezian]

Drucker asserts that we are heading into an era (if not already there) where knowledge is more important than money.

Under what conditions would you recommend a knowledge worker sign a non-compete agreement when the knowledge they used to perform their job is knowledge they created at their own expense or at the expense of a previous employer?