Title: 'Knowledge capital' and innovation in global corporations

Authors: Blandine Laperche

Addresses: Research Unit on Industry and Innovation (Lab.RII), University of Littoral Cote d'Opale, France

Abstract: Currently, the formation and the protection of a knowledge base is of major importance to firms. In this paper, we explain the formation of the firm|s |knowledge capital|. We develop the idea of the existence of a growing contradiction between, on the one hand, the socialisation of the |knowledge capital|, and, on the other hand, the tendency toward its oligopolistic appropriation, which is made easier notably by the evolution of patent laws and practices. This contradiction can be explained by today|s profitability imperative and its related necessity to reduce the risk for the cost and the length of technological progress.

Keywords: knowledge capital; technological innovation; globalisation; oligopolistic socialisation; appropriation; profitability imperative; patents; technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2007.012358

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2007 Vol.3 No.1, pp.24 - 41

Published online: 07 Feb 2007 *

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