How Wal-Mart and Dell Do It for Less

The simple answer is effective integration of knowledge management in business processes. Here is an abstract of a great article on this subject. The link to the full article is found below.

Recent industry case studies provide illustrative examples of successes and failures in integrating
knowledge management technologies for enabling organizational business processes and new business
models. Based upon insights from selected case studies, this article identifies three key paradigms that have
characterized the implementation of KM systems, technologies, and techniques in organizational business
processes. Taking a critical view of the mainstream characterization of KM technologies, this article
highlights the 'critical gaps' between technology inputs, related knowledge processes, and business
performance outcomes. Drawing upon the above issues, the article develops pragmatic understanding for
leveraging the power of disruptive technologies through disruptive business value propositions and customer
value propositions embedded in organizational business processes and enterprise business models.

My question is: "Are we thinking about these issues in economic development?"

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