A new evaluation model for intellectual capital based on computing with linguistic variable

In a knowledge era, intellectual capital has become a determinant resource for enterprise to retain and improve competitive advantage. Because the nature of intellectual capital is abstract, intangible, and difficult to measure, it becomes a challenge for business managers to evaluate intellectual capital performance effectively. Recently, several methods have been proposed to assist business managers in evaluating performance of intellectual capital. However, they also face information loss problems while the processes of subjective evaluation integration. Therefore, this paper proposes a suitable model for intellectual capital performance evaluation by combining 2-tuple fuzzy linguistic approach with multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. It is feasible to manipulate the processes of evaluation integration and avoid the information loss effectively. Based on the proposed model, its feasibility is demonstrated by the result of intellectual capital performance evaluation for a high-technology company in Taiwan.     

Social Capital,Resilience and Accessibility in Urban Systems: a Study on Sweden

Spatial systems appear to exhibit often a complex pattern of socio-economic development, in terms of (un)employment, income, mobility, ethnic composition, and urbanisation rates. Their evolution is co-determined by such factors as: market proximity, labour and housing market developments, public amenities, use of and access to transport systems, socio-economic composition of the population, etc. In addition, a sine qua non for sustaining urban economic growth is the local or regional presence of individual and collective cognitive assets that favour knowledge acquisition and transfer, education, innovation, and creativity. In this context, social capital and spatial accessibility are critical factors. The present paper aims to provide an operational framework for mapping out and understanding the mechanisms which drive spatial systems from the perspective of the resilience of urban areas, in the light of their social capital in combination with accessibility. Particular attention is therefore given to the essential role of social capital and transport accessibility in shaping both the economic development of cities and the spatial pattern in the evolution of cities, in terms of, inter alia, education, age, ethnic composition, (un)employment, and socio-economic poverty. For our quantitative analysis of the Swedish urban system, a quantile regression model is introduced and applied in order to study which urban-economic factors in Sweden determine the different levels of social capital, which are seen here as the fundamental component of the resilience capacity of urban areas.     

A new method of soft computing to estimate the contribution rate of S&T progress on economic growth

In this paper, soft computing is applied to estimate the contribution rate of science and technology (S&T) progress on economic growth. First, the main influence factors of economic growth are defined, consisting of capital assets, labor force, human capital and research and development (R&D), and the human capital is calculated by improved labor-payment method. Second, target system is categorized by genetic iterative self-organizing data analysis technique algorithm (GA-ISODATA). Then, we set up the I/O model by fuzzy artificial neural network (FANN), with the capital assets, labor force, human capital and R&D as input variables, and the corresponding gross domestic product (GDP) as the output, to extract several fuzzy rules. Last, from the obtained fuzzy rules, we can get the effect of influence factors on economic growth, and calculate the economic contribution rate of S&T progress (ECRST). Take Guangdong province of China as an example, the result indicates that: during the year 2000–2008, Guangdong province (contains 21 cities) could be classified into three clusters according to the S&T progress. The first cluster (High S&T) has an ECRST of 47.52%, and contains 4 cities; the second cluster (Medium S&T) has an ECRST of 42.74%, and contains 4 cities; the third cluster (Low S&T) has an ECRST of 39.96%, and contains 13 cities; the average ECRST of Guangdong province is 44.02%. The result is accordance with the economic reality of Guangdong province, and demonstrates the validity of the proposed method.     

Prioritization of human capital measurement indicators using fuzzy AHP

People in an organization constitute an important and essential asset which tremendously contributes to development and growth of that company by the help of their collective attitudes, skills and abilities. This is why the human capital (HC) can be considered the most important sub-dimension of the intellectual capital. Since you cannot manage what you cannot control, and you cannot control what you do not measure, the measurement of HC is a very important issue. This study aims at defining a methodology to improve the quality of prioritization of HC measurement indicators under fuzziness. To do so, a methodology based on the extent fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed. Within the model, five main attributes; talent, strategical integration, cultural relevance, knowledge management, and leadership; their sub-attributes, and 20 indicators are defined. The proposed model can be used for any country. However, the results obtained in the numerical example reflect the situation of HC in Turkey, since the experts are asked to make their evaluations considering the cultural characteristics of Turkey. The results of the study indicate that “creating results by using knowledge”, “employees’ skills index”, “sharing and reporting knowledge”, and “succession rate of training programs” are the four most important measurement indicators for the HC in Turkey.     

Overview of the triangle of knowledge: a driving force for sustainable growth in less developed nations

Today’s challenging and critical world economic and political situation is briefly reviewed in this article. Mathematical and geometrical approaches to the knowledge triangle (KT) concept are outlined and analyzed. The triptych: Education + Research + Innovation has been used in the definition of the KT. The European Institute of Technology is briefly mentioned which also uses the KT but in addition is taking into consideration the important component of Entrepreneurship. A new approach to explore an expanded triptych of KT, by adding the Entrepreneurship-Business component (K-E + R-I + E-B), is attempted, and a new definition is developed by exploring better the geometric triangle schema and the expanded triptych. The new term introduced for first time is the triangle of knowledge (ToK). It is fully explained and justified for this new approach using the expanded (K-E + R-I + E-B) fundamental concepts. The ToK guarantees the full and dynamic interaction between all components needed for the sustainable development and growth of a region or country. The different funding schemes are considered, and the pyramid for sustainable development is presented for the first time. This new approach seems to address better many fundamental issues and problems of the knowledge-based society. In addition, the proposed ToK is used for first time to study the problem of the sustainable growth of a region and/or a nation. The important role that control can play in the further development and mathematical study of the newly proposed concept for the ToK is briefly formulated and analyzed. Future research directions for the proposed new approaches are presented and discussed.     

How Should the Chinese Government Invest R&D Funds: Enterprises or Institutions?

With the rapid increase of the government R&D investment in China, the efficient optimization of the R&D investment areas of the Chinese government significantly influences regional innovation productivity and economic growth in the long run. By expanding the R&D-based growth model and using empirical analysis, this paper discusses the optimal combination for the government to coordinate its R&D expenditure as productive public investment in various sectors, under the condition of promoting long-term economic growth, is discussed by considering the aspects of capability for independent innovation, the development capability for basic knowledge, and the absorption capability for the technique. Results are as follows. (1) The level of production efficiency of enterprises, such as the capability for independent innovation, the development capability for basic knowledge, and absorption capability, influences the inclination of the government to invest in enterprises and institutions. When an enterprise has a high production efficiency level, technological level A, and knowledge storage B, increased investment from institutions to the enterprise can significantly promote regional economy growth. Otherwise, the government should increase R&D investment in institutions. (2) The government R&D investment in institutions can indirectly promote economic growth through the promotion of human capital and the understanding and absorption capacity of external knowledge, independent innovation capability, and basic knowledge development capability of enterprises. This paper may help the government to create appropriate policies with higher efficiency in R&D investment, and promote technical progress and economic growth in China.     

Competitiveness of East Asian science cities: discourse on their status as global or local innovative clusters

In a knowledge-based economy of the globalizing economic order, the role of regions is very significant in order to create and to disperse knowledge. Particularly, geographical clusters of firms in a single sub-national region may contribute to transmitting certain kinds of knowledge between and among firms. In addition, markets prefer to favor specialized firms with a coherent body of knowledge when knowledge creation and the use of new knowledge become increasingly important for maintaining and improving a firm’s competitiveness. Therefore, regional policy makers may not interfere directly with markets and firms when the process of globalization pushes national economies into a world of learning and innovation. The reason is that the institutional framework for market exchange favors knowledge exchange in a globalizing economic system. This paper argues how East Asian science cities such as Tsukuba Science City in Japan, Daedeok Innopolis in South Korea, Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park in Taiwan, and Zhongguancun Science Park in China have been developed in order to create technology innovation as well to contribute to national and regional economic growth. Moreover, it also focuses on their competitiveness and the further development strategy that aims to become global science cities. Finally, it also discusses whether their competitiveness as innovative clusters is based on global or local levels.     

A View on Creative Cities Beyond the Hype

Fuelled by the influential work of urban guru Richard Florida, the European knowledge economy is seeing a rise of cities calling themselves ‘creative cities’. In this paper we have a look at the concept of creative cities and offer a view on them beyond the hype. We understand ‘creative cities’ as competitive urban areas that combine both concentration, diversity, instability as well as a positive image. Examples of creative cities in history and recent best practice of two such urban areas in Europe (Øresund and Manchester) show that local governments cannot plan knowledge, creativity and innovation from scratch. We conclude, however, that local governments can increase the chance that urban creativity emerges by providing the appropriate framework conditions.     

Uncovering hidden process assets: A case study

The information technology (IT) industry is not making the best possible use of its intangible process assets. The proposed process assets classification is grounded on the experience existing in the intellectual capital field. IT companies can use this classification to better identify and classify their process assets, thereby gaining an overview of the elements on which their processes depend and incrementing their intellectual capital. Two IT companies participated in a case study in which company chief executive and chief operations officers used the proposed classification, which they considered very useful, to identify a set of important process assets not previously taken into account.     

Knowledge-based organization evaluation

Knowledge has become the main value driver for modern organizations. In particular, knowledge-based organizations (KBOs) allocate resources to intangible assets (e.g., R&D) in the rapidly changing and highly competitive business environment in order to gain competitive advantages. Therefore, how to evaluate knowledge-based organizations has become one of the most important issues in knowledge management. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the evaluation of KBOs under uncertainty, using the state-of-the-art methodology of Real Options. We define the unique features of KBOs and explain their value drivers. The present study's contribution is threefold: (1) it bridges the gaps in knowledge management literature related to evaluating knowledge capital; (2) it provides a systematic application of Real Options models in the context of knowledge-based organization evaluation; and, (3) it uses a real-world case to demonstrate the implications of the main findings for management.     

资源诅咒存在吗？——基于中国城市层面的检验

本文使用中国2005年～2011年间285个城市截面数据检验了资源丰裕度与城市经济发展的关系,并就资源禀赋影响经济增长的传导机制进行了研究。结果显示,资源禀赋对城市经济发展有正向促进作用。虽然自然资源弱化了制度的质量,对制造业、创新、国内资本投资也有一定挤出效应,从而制约经济的发展,但近些年资源需求的迅猛上涨促使资源价格不断攀升,自然资源给城市经济发展带来了大量资源红利,通过传导机制阻碍经济增长的间接效应小于自然资源推动经济发展的直接效应,现阶段资源诅咒在我国城市层面并不存在。     

Why would online gamers share their innovation-conducive knowledge in the online game user community? Integrating individual motivations and social capital perspectives

The user community has been an important external source of a firm’s product or service innovation. Users’ innovation-conducive knowledge sharing enables the community to work as a vital source of innovation. But, traditional economic theories of innovation seem to provide few explanations about why such knowledge sharing takes place for free in the user community. Therefore, this study investigates what drives community users to freely share their innovation-conducive knowledge, using the theory of planned behavior. Based on an empirical analysis of the data from 1244 members of a South Korean online game user community, it reveals that intrinsic motivation, shared goals, and social trust are salient factors in promoting users’ innovation-conducive knowledge sharing. Extrinsic motivation and social tie, however, were found to affect such sharing adversely, contingent upon whether a user is an innovator or a non-innovator. The study illustrates how social capital, in addition to individual motivations, forms and influences users’ innovation-conducive knowledge sharing in the online gaming context.     

Growth strategy for Finnish science parks under external economic crises

Finland has experienced several economic crises since the 1990s. Among these, the last two economic crises such as the global financial crisis in 2008 and the EU sovereignty debt crisis are still ongoing process because the nation still fights for its economic recovering. Although the national economy has suffered from a low economic growth due to the external economic environment, Finnish science parks known as Technopolis Plc have achieved a high growth and a rapid expansion even to other European countries. Technopolis Plc is a comprehensive service provider for high tech companies growing rapidly in domestic and global markets. At the same time, it is regarded as an innovative company playing significant roles in innovation and high economic growth in the region. The paper argues how Technopolis Plc could grow rapidly particularly under the economic crises and explores which growth strategies have been implemented. Moreover, it also analyses how its future prospects are and whether its growth strategies can be sustainable or not.     

An intelligent content-based image retrieval methodology using transfer learning for digital IP protection

Trademarks are used by companies to help customers identify products or services using images or logos in addition to slogans, words, names, sounds, smells, color, and motions. Trademark logos are widely distributed through advertising and published through online media websites and social networks such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Flicker. The intellectual property (IP) rights of the trademark owners have strong legal protection when registered with international intellectual property platforms such as the US Patent and Trademark Office and the World Intellectual Property Office. Using a registered trademark without prior consent of the owner may result in intellectual property infringement with severe legal consequences under civil or criminal law. Companies invest large capital resources in protecting their trademark from being copied or misused in ways that confuse the customers or steal market share. This research focuses on trademark (TM) logo image retrieval systems used in the cyber marketplaces to identify similar TM logo images online automatically and intelligently. The methodology developed for TM logo similarity measurement is based on content-based image retrieval. Content retrieval reduces the gap between high-level semantic interpretation of human vision and the low-level features processed by the machine. The proposed transfer learning methodology uses embedded learning with triplet loss to fine-tune a pre-trained convolutional neural network model. The Logo-2K+ large-scale logo dataset is re-organized and divided into the top 70% as the training set and the remaining 30% as the testing set. The results show that the novel transfer learning approach is developed and demonstrated in this research for the intelligent automatic detection of similar TM logo images with high accuracy. The verification experiments (trained with 7625 logos and tested with 3221 logos) demonstrates that the Recall@10 of the test set can reach 95% using the advanced convolutional neural network model (VGG19) adjusted with the novel transfer learning methodology.     

Guest Editor's Introduction: Renewing the Software Project Management Life Cycle

The software project management body of knowledge is gradually being renewed across the entire lifecycle. In the conception phase, the focus is on fostering innovation through new approaches such as business analysis and crowdsourcing techniques. In the construction phase, the rise of global software development has shrunk the world and led to new approaches to risk management that take into account factors such as cultural diversity. In the project conclusion phase, new approaches to the evaluation of project success are being introduced, such as project retrospectives and intellectual capital reporting. Conversely, long accepted approaches to measurement and evaluation such as those promoted in the Chaos reports of the Standish Group are being called into question.     

Coping knowledge boundaries between information system and business disciplines: An intellectual capital perspective

Information system development can be considered a collaboration between users and developers. The inability to leverage the localized knowledge embedded in these two stakeholders hinders software development work to achieve high performance. Exploring the ways to counter this difficulty is then critical. This study applies an intellectual capital perspective to address the issues around spanning the knowledge boundary between developers and users. Our findings highlighted how important effective knowledge boundary spanning is to both product and project quality. Furthermore, three dimensions of intellectual capital increased the degree to which knowledge boundary spanning was effective.     

创意产业发展展望

创意产业是全球化条件下,以创意为核心,向大众提供文化、艺术、精神、心理、娱乐产品的新兴产业。创意产业作为当代人类社会新的财富创造形态,在全球范围内,其发展正在改变着传统的经济形态,对世界市场格局、经济发展趋势和可持续发展产生了重要影响,已经成为推动经济增长、培育创新能力、增强地区、国家和城市综合竞争力的重要因素,日益引起国际社会的普遍关注。发展创意产业,已成为世界各国竞相争抢的战略高地。     

TOWARD A CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING METHODOLOGY WITH KNOWLEDGE PROVISION

In this article, a knowledgeable creative problem-solving methodology (KCPS) is proposed. In addition to being applied as a creative problem-solving methodology, this KCPS method also aims to provide human users the knowledge that is important and necessary for the generation of creative solutions. The development of KCPS is based on the research achievement in the area of human creativity, which suggests that knowledge plays a crucial role in the evolvement of creativity in human mind. Consequently, knowledge provision is one of the key components of the KCPS method. Additionally, according to the models of human creativity, information processing and Meta-behaviors are identified as the other two components of the KCPS. Information processing facilitates human users in analyzing, processing information, and obtaining knowledge in order to approach problems creatively. Meta-behaviors indicate the mental activities of human users when they apply the KCPS method. Subsequently, appropriate techniques that can realize the functions of knowledge provision and information processing are selected and integrated for the development of the KCPS. The operation of the KCPS method is then discussed.

A case study is illustrated with twelve new design concepts for articles of balancing equipment, which were generated by applying the KCPS method. This case study demonstrates that the KCPS method has the capacity to assist human users for the generation of innovative concepts.     

Employee Creativity and R&D: A Critical Review

Employee creativity is one of the most important components to measure a company's human capital, particularly in knowledge‐intensive companies. However, the complexity of the conception of creativity means that the measurement of employee creativity has become difficult. Reflecting discussions and contributions on Creativity in R&D as presented at the 2006 R&D Management Conference held in Taiwan, this short thematic paper reviews four different and critical approaches to creativity, namely the evolutionary approach, the cross‐disciplinary science approach, the social system approach and the social network approach. This paper concludes that the four approaches provide complementary contributions in understanding the measurement of creativity in an R&D context, but that the interaction of the socio‐cultural context with employee creativity needs to be taken into account.