integrative HRD programs have been advocated for their amplified impact on various
dimensions of development.
2.6.4. Gaining Competitive Advantage through HRD
Wilson (2005) has considered Knowledge management as a source of gaining
competitive advantage and knowledge management is conducted through intellectual
capital of the organization. The use of the knowledge management system through
knowledge sharing is what enables the organization to gain competitive edge in the
market. Knowledge sharing enhance the knowledge base of he organization and the
individuals both. According to Sharkie (2003:31, in Human Resource Development,
Wilson, 2005, p.117), the organizations success rate dependents upon the pace with
which it is able to generate, capture and disseminate knowledge which is in turned used
for development of the capabilities of the individuals, which cannot be copied by other
competitors. Pattanayak asserts that “organizations need to be performance oriented to be
competitive. Acquiring competent employees is not enough to exert high performance
unless they are motivated enough to deliver the results.”(2006)
Wilson (2005) has highlighted that “an important dimension of competitive
advantage is the speed to market of a product or service, because if it is innovative or
novel, there is little competition and premium charges can be used.” (p. 117)
Burton Jones explains this fact as:
Only tacit knowledge whether alone or in conjunction to explicit
knowledge can give a firm a sustainable competitive advantage. Tacit
knowledge can be stored only in the form of intellectual capital where as
explicit knowledge can stored, processed and communicated using
technologies.(2001, in Human Resource Development; Wilson, 2005, p.
117)