266
H. E. Otto
(cf. (Nakamura 1985)). Another element of cognitive style common in many Asian
cultures, namely a tolerance for ambiguity, was found to be instrumental in supporting
processes related to tacit knowledge and complex, organizational knowledge (cf.
(Szulanski 1996; Nonaka and Takeuchi 1995; Nonaka and Takeuchi 1996)). Another
element of cognitive style, so-called signature skills (cf. (Leonard 1995)), is found
mostly in vertical individualistic cultures in the West. These skills are associated with
an individual’s task-related preferences regarding the approach and method used to
frame and solve a problem, and thus they represent an important means of distinguishing oneself from others. Especially within the context of domain experts and
field specialists, these signature skills are highly respected and valued.
17.5 Conclusions
Various problems encountered during the realization of energy efficiency measures
are usually approached from a Western perspective, discounting or neglecting to a
large part the differences in the Asian context. In this paper, an alternative reference
frame has been presented, in the form of a knowledge-based approach taking into
account those differences. A first step has been discussed in regard to energy auditing
and one of its immediate explicit outcomes, the energy audit report.
Taking into account the current reality of practice, it is reasonable to believe that
most ESCOs in Asia are still overburdened and out of their depth regarding the energy
efficiency measures as identified by energy audits, and the actual implementation
of and contracting for the same. Thus a more realistic interim approach here, and
one that would deliver more effective results, might be to consider within a wider
boundary infrastructure yet another type of boundary organization besides the ESCO
association, one which specializes in knowledge translation and brokering. In most
Western nations with developed economies, similar types of such organizations are
already employed, and they help in crossing boundaries between science, policymaking, and different industrial and commercial sectors. However, considering the
rising awareness and economic importance of knowledge creation and exchange, it is
somewhat surprising, and at the same time worrisome, that, in the context of energy
efficiency, and in particular within the context as discussed in this paper (see also
(Nolden et al. 2016)), this situation still seems to be in an underdeveloped stage from
both a theoretical and a practical viewpoint.
References
Alavi M, Kayworth TR, Leidner DE (2006) An empirical examination of the influence of
organizational culture on knowledge management practice. J Manag Inf Syst 22(3):191–224
Boland RJ, Tenkasi RV (1995) Perspective making and perspective taking in communities of
knowing. Organ Science 6(4):350–372
H. E. Otto
(cf. (Nakamura 1985)). Another element of cognitive style common in many Asian
cultures, namely a tolerance for ambiguity, was found to be instrumental in supporting
processes related to tacit knowledge and complex, organizational knowledge (cf.
(Szulanski 1996; Nonaka and Takeuchi 1995; Nonaka and Takeuchi 1996)). Another
element of cognitive style, so-called signature skills (cf. (Leonard 1995)), is found
mostly in vertical individualistic cultures in the West. These skills are associated with
an individual’s task-related preferences regarding the approach and method used to
frame and solve a problem, and thus they represent an important means of distinguishing oneself from others. Especially within the context of domain experts and
field specialists, these signature skills are highly respected and valued.
17.5 Conclusions
Various problems encountered during the realization of energy efficiency measures
are usually approached from a Western perspective, discounting or neglecting to a
large part the differences in the Asian context. In this paper, an alternative reference
frame has been presented, in the form of a knowledge-based approach taking into
account those differences. A first step has been discussed in regard to energy auditing
and one of its immediate explicit outcomes, the energy audit report.
Taking into account the current reality of practice, it is reasonable to believe that
most ESCOs in Asia are still overburdened and out of their depth regarding the energy
efficiency measures as identified by energy audits, and the actual implementation
of and contracting for the same. Thus a more realistic interim approach here, and
one that would deliver more effective results, might be to consider within a wider
boundary infrastructure yet another type of boundary organization besides the ESCO
association, one which specializes in knowledge translation and brokering. In most
Western nations with developed economies, similar types of such organizations are
already employed, and they help in crossing boundaries between science, policymaking, and different industrial and commercial sectors. However, considering the
rising awareness and economic importance of knowledge creation and exchange, it is
somewhat surprising, and at the same time worrisome, that, in the context of energy
efficiency, and in particular within the context as discussed in this paper (see also
(Nolden et al. 2016)), this situation still seems to be in an underdeveloped stage from
both a theoretical and a practical viewpoint.
References
Alavi M, Kayworth TR, Leidner DE (2006) An empirical examination of the influence of
organizational culture on knowledge management practice. J Manag Inf Syst 22(3):191–224
Boland RJ, Tenkasi RV (1995) Perspective making and perspective taking in communities of
knowing. Organ Science 6(4):350–372