Harnessing knowledge networking for Global Capability Sourcing: the development imperative

Abstract

As the world opens up from the clutches of the pandemic to heightened demand for goods and services, businesses inextricably interconnected globally are coping to meet this demand due to worker shortages. In honor of Peter Keen, this editorial offers insight into how the quest for global talent can be addressed. Our work on how knowledge networking enables innovation through the creation of talent pools and the Global Capability Sourcing (GCS) model are combined to offer a view into addressing this challenge. The GCS explains why wages are declining for some skills while rising for others and asks: what role does a company most effectively play in the global sourcing economy? When workers are free to choose where and when they offer their services, the development imperative comes into effect. The development imperative is freedom of choice and can occur through innovation in talent pools stimulated through knowledge networking. When people have greater freedom and capabilities to improve their knowledge and skills, their incomes increase along with the range of choices and capabilities enjoyed by their households and governments. The papers in this issue add to what is known about how digital competency can be stimulated through investments in ICT training programs, how innovations take place in the development context and insights into conducting context-sensitive research.