Codified-Tacit and General-Specific Knowledge in the Division of Labour Among Firms: A Study of the Software Industry

Posted: 24 Aug 2006

See all articles by Salvatore Torrisi

Salvatore Torrisi

Department of Economics, Management and Statistics; Bocconi University

Rosa Grimaldi

University of Bologna - Department of Management

Abstract

This paper explores the organisation and codification of knowledge in software firms. It analyses various economic incentives to codification, including the need to improve the productivity and quality of software production and the networks of inter-firm alliances.

The paper examines the experience of five Italian software firms specialising in software packages and services. It compares their capabilities, main sources of tacit knowledge, specific incentives to invest in knowledge codification and the formal development methodologies and quality control systems adopted. Finally, the paper analyses two distinct technological collaborations that two of these firms have recently established.

Keywords: Knowledge, Inter-firm networks, Innovation, Software

Suggested Citation

Torrisi, Salvatore and Grimaldi, Rosa, Codified-Tacit and General-Specific Knowledge in the Division of Labour Among Firms: A Study of the Software Industry. Research Policy, Vol. 30, No. 9, pp. 1425-1442, December 2001, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=926323

Salvatore Torrisi

Department of Economics, Management and Statistics ( email )

Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1
Milano, Milan 20126
Italy

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.unimib.it/salvatore-torrisi

Bocconi University ( email )

Via Sarfatti, 25
Milan, MI 20136
Italy

Rosa Grimaldi (Contact Author)

University of Bologna - Department of Management ( email )

Piazza Scaravilli 1
Bologna, Bologna 40126
Italy

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