Critical knowledge areas: a linchpin between chaos and order

Summary form only given. Discoveries made possible by advancing technology are giving researchers in a variety of sciences insight into many aspects of the world around us that have never before been accessible. A new realization of consistent patterns in how change, adaptation and evolution appear to occur has given rise to a new science called the science of complexity. One can use critical knowledge areas (CKAs), knowledge that is unique to the organization and gives it its competitive advantage, as a focal point as the concepts from this emerging field of thought are applied to technology-based organizations. In a technology environment, the success of the product that the firm is meant to generate depends on the ability to stay at the leading edge. The organization's most important assets for long term survivability lie in its CKAs and in the ability to acquire, retain and transfer knowledge and information. The set of CKA is the intellectual capital and intellectual capital demands continuous and purposeful investment.