Knowledge coordination, competence creation and integrated networks in globalised firms

It is argued in this article that the main problem for the modern, globalis ed firm is not one primarily of the unequal distribution of information, bu t rather of the difficulty of mobilising and integrating fragmented forms o f localised knowledge. In such a context, the role of new means of telecomm unication and cooperative working is investigated. It is shown that network ing favours a transparent mode of governance characterised by inter-linked actors and their continuous stimulation. Thus, the conceptualisation of the globalised firm as a collection of competences offers a framework for anal ysing governance mechanisms, involving the issue of incentives.