In a seminal text on the concept of knowledge workers, the authors of The Knowledge-Creating Company discuss how Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation through the creation of new knowledge as an organization. They dive much deeper into the concept, but one important take-away is that information is converted to knowledge through the combined actions of the group. In some respects, this idea parallels Hargreaves’ and Fullans’ work on professional capital in a book by the same name. They posit that professional capital is comprised of human, social, and decisional capital, with collaboration (social capital) as key to the development of all three.
Reviewed by Carol Campbell, PhD
Vice President for Education
Southwestern Union Conference