The Value of Knowledge

Knowledge is an economic asset of great importance and value to the modern organization; however, it is too often not managed carefully as such. This book presents practical frameworks and methods for the knowledge professional — and his/her organization — to identify, actualize, and maximize the economic value of knowledge.

"If knowledge is the world’s great currency, this groundbreaking book serves as a high-powered money manager. The book redefines the standards for knowledge leadership, leveraging a historical perspective to drive future value. Essential reading for anyone who seeks to use knowledge and information to navigate, compete, and thrive—personally or professionally." –
Vanessa DiMauro
, Executive Director, Leader Networks

"A very valuable map for those wishing to navigate the shoals and depths of knowledge in organizations." –
T.J. Elliott
, Co-Founder Knowledge Workings

"Many knowledge strategy students and practitioners will find this very useful. EVERYTHING we learned [at a Columbia master’s degree course] comes together in one book. Very powerful!" –
Julie Govaert
, International business development executive

"Economists recognize the value of knowledge-sharing — across nations, industries, networks, and departments. Yet, often knowledge practitioners fail to lead with economics, and resort to fuzzy notions of goodness. Timothy Wood Powell’s
The Value of Knowledge
equips us with the tools and evidence to lead with economics. It’s a resource worth reading with stopwatch and calculator in hand." –
Katrina Pugh
, AlignConsulting and Columbia University, Author of
Smarter Innovation and Sharing Hidden Know-How

"Tim Powell has offered us a well written and widely sourced book that mostly is focused on the value of knowledge—and as a bonus has included his thoughts on quite few other interesting subjects he has pursued over his career. His reading is wide and deep and his reflections are very useful to anyone interested in pursuing the study of knowledge beyond the standard models on offer. Tim is a reflective practitioner and this book is ideal for other reflective practitioners struggling with the elusive topic of organizational knowledge." –
Laurence Prusak
, lecturer at the Columbia University Information and Knowledge Strategy program and author of
Working Knowledge

(From the Preface) "We all use the words Information, Knowledge, and Intelligence blithely and sometimes almost interchangeably, and we recognize them as valuable, but how are they valuable, and to what degree? None of them lend themselves to crisp definitions or to easy analysis… The focus of this book is how to understand their role, particularly that of knowledge, in the organization, and how to develop and manage a strategy for your organization to leverage that understanding…
The Value of Knowledge
then is not just a timely topic, it is one that is crucial that we understand better." –
Dr. Michael Koenig
, Professor Emeritus Palmer School of Library and Information Science, Long Island University (USA)

"In
The Value of Knowledge
, Tim Powell demonstrates and shares his unique understanding of knowledge as an enterprise function, particularly when knowledge is considered as an economic resource. He provides a unique perspective for all readers, including his students and his business clients. A valuable contribution to the literature of knowledge services – especially needed in times of economic challenge." –
Guy St. Clair
, Lecturer, Knowledge Services, Columbia University in the City of New York

"A great work and adds a lot of value to the understanding of what ‘knowledge science’ and ‘knowledge value’ is all about… Thank you very much for all the effort you put in the book to make that happen for a greater understanding." –
Rüdiger Suess
, Senior Strategy Analyst, DLR ThinkTank

"Tim’s comprehensive book opens with a vignette of him commuting to Columbia to teach a class at the School of Professional Studies (SPS), where I serve as Dean. He ponders whether his students possess the analytical foresight to measure the ROI of their considerable investment in their studies.
The Value of Knowledge
provides our students, and lifelong learners at large, with the perspective, vocabulary, and tools to assess education’s value." –
Dr. Jason Wingard
, Dean, Columbia University School of Professional Studies