Knowledge Exchanges in the Global Organization – Learning from the Genius of Al-Biruni

The post-industrial organization is typically knowledge-intensive and collaborative, without which success is not possible. Its key processes involve bringing teams across organizations (vendors, clients, sub-contractors, service providers, suppliers, etc.) together in order to share and create knowledge. This paper posits that knowledge exchange across boundaries is not new and we could learn from history. The historical works of Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni (973-1048AD), a Persian polymath scholar who made significant contributions in diverse fields of study, were examined using frameworks of knowledge assets and knowledge flows. The knowledge flows of knowledge assets were plotted and studied using Boisot’s I-space model and the knowledge transfer to and from Al-Biruni was studied using Gupta and Govindarajan’s knowledge transfer framework. The factors that have contributed to the tremendous achievements in scholarship by the genius of Al-Biruni were found to be the possession of multiple intelligences, a balance of wisdom with an ability to positively influence his environment and a strong value system within which he operated. The research suggests that possessing multiple intelligences and a balance in wisdom enables the people involved in multi-national, cross-cultural and cross-lingual knowledge transfer to be able to give better form and structure to knowledge enabling easier and better knowledge diffusion.

[1]  A. A. Al-Daffa’.  The Muslim Contribution to Mathematics , 1977, Mathematics: People · Problems · Results.

[2]  E. S. Kennedy,et al.  Bīrūnī on the Solar Equation , 1958, Journal of Near Eastern Studies.

[3]  John Ashford.  An information-space model for the development and application of computer-based tools in information creation and dissemination , 1997, J. Documentation.

[4]  R. Tapper.  «Islamic anthropology» and the «anthropology of Islam» , 1995 .

[5]  John Peter Oleson,et al.  Gears from the Greeks: The Antikythera Mechanism-A Calendar Computer from Ca. 80 B. C. , 1976 .

[6]  Wm. J. Richardson Associates,et al.  Dictionary of the Middle Ages , 1987 .

[7]  Oconnor,et al.  The MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive , 2001 .

[8]  M. Boisot.  Information space : a framework for learning in organizations, institutions and culture , 2013 .

[9]  M. Kamiar.  Brilliant Biruni: A Life Story of Abu Rayhan Mohammad Ibn Ahmad , 2008 .

[10]  S. Lurie.  The changing motives of cesarean section: from the ancient world to the twenty-first century , 2005, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

[11]  H. Gardner.  Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century , 1999 .

[12]  Benita Cox,et al.  The I-Space: a framework for analyzing the evolution of social computing , 1999 .

[13]  Jennifer L. Nolen.  Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom , 2003 .

[14]  R. Sternberg.  Beyond IQ: A Triarchic Theory of Human Intelligence , 1984 .

[15]  Robert J. Sternberg,et al.  A Balance Theory of Wisdom , 1998 .

[16]  Henry Sir Yule,et al.  Cathay and the way thither : being a collection of medieval notices of China : with a preliminary essay : on the intercourse between China and the western nations previous to the discovery of the Cape route , 2013 .

[17]  Akbar S. Ahmed.  Defining Islamic Anthropology , 1984 .

[18]  J. Wilczynski.  On the Presumed Darwinism of Alberuni Eight Hundred Years before Darwin , 1959, Isis.

[19]  H. Gardner.  "Multiple Intelligences" as a Catalyst , 1995 .

[20]  M. S. Khān.  AL-BIRUNI AND THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF INDIA , 1976 .

[21]  L. Johnsen.  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism , 2001 .

[22]  S. H. Nasr.  An introduction to Islamic cosmological doctrines : conceptions of nature and methods used for its study by the Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ, al-Bīrūnī, and Ibn Sīnā , 1964 .

[23]  J. Walbridge.  Explaining Away the Greek Gods in Islam , 1998 .

[24]  David Woodward,et al.  The history of cartography , 1989 .

[25]  G. Righini.  DEREK DE SOLLA PRICE, Gears from the Greeks The Antikythera Mechanism; A calendar Computer from ca 80 BC Science History Publication, New York, 1975, 70 pagine con 45 figure. , 1976 .

[26]  H. Gardner,et al.  Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences , 1983 .

[27]  Tariq Ramadan.  Western Muslims and the Future of Islam , 2003 .

[28]  William Dalrymple,et al.  The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture, and Identity , 2006 .

[29]  J. Dowson,et al.  The history of India as told by its own historians : the Muhammadan period : the posthumous papers , 2000 .

[30]  S. Pines.  The Semantic Distinction between the Terms Astronomy and Astrology according to al-Biruni , 1964, Isis.

[31]  M. Davidian.  Al-Bīrūnī on the Time of Day from Shadow Lengths@@@Al-Biruni on the Time of Day from Shadow Lengths , 1960 .

[32]  A. Furnham,et al.  Estimates of Multiple Intelligences: A Study in Poland , 2005 .

[33]  Morten T. Hansen,et al.  What's your strategy for managing knowledge? , 1999, Harvard business review.

[34]  G. Rice.  Pro-environmental Behavior in Egypt: Is there a Role for Islamic Environmental Ethics? , 2006 .

[35]  M. A. Ali.  Muslims' Perception of Judaism and Christianity in Medieval India , 1999, Modern Asian Studies.

[36]  Shlomo Pines,et al.  Al-Bīrūnī's Arabic Version of Patanjali's Yogasūtra: , 1966, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies.

[37]  E. Savage‐Smith,et al.  The practice of surgery in Islamic lands: myth and reality. , 2000, Social history of medicine : the journal of the Society for the Social History of Medicine.

[38]  K. Thompson.  Cognitive and Analytical Psychology Howard Gardner .Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York, Basic Books, 1983. , 1985 .

[39]  Y. Friedmann.  Medieval Muslim Views of Indian Religions , 1975 .

[40]  Akbar S. Ahmed,et al.  Discovering Islam: Making Sense of Muslim History and Society. , 1989 .

[41]  H. M. Elliot,et al.  History of India as told by its own historians. Vol. VI: Muhammadan period , 1873 .

[42]  Anil K. Gupta,et al.  Knowledge flows within multinational corporations , 2000 .

[43]  Rajendra M. Abhyankar.  West Asia and the region : defining India's role , 2008 .

[44]  Derek Price,et al.  Gears from the Greeks : the Antikythera mechanism, a calendar computer from ca. 80 B.C. , 1974 .