By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 08/04/2026So why isn't process knowledge given the centrality in our conceptions of what makes a corporation valuable? After reading Wang, Farrell and Davies, I formulated a theory: we ignore process knowledge for the same reason we exalt "IP." 22/ 1194
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 08/04/2026Because process knowledge *can't* be bought or sold, can't be reflected on a balance-sheet, and can't be controlled, and because "IP" *can*. 23/ 3275
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 08/04/2026Process knowledge is more important than "IP" (just try creating a vaccine from a set of instructions *without* the skilled technicians who have already spent years executing similar projects), but process knowledge is spread out amongst workers and *can't* be abstracted away by their bosses. 24/ 2246
If This Goes On (Don't Panic) @itgodp.bsky.social · 08/04/2026As a guy who works in corporate training, every exec struggles to understand how training fits on the balance sheet. We look like a net negative to bean counters. We perpetually have to justify our existence, & are often the first laid off. And now they want us to be entirely replaced by AI asaplook.like 0102
John Voltz @johnvoltz.bsky.social · 09/04/2026Process knowledge does show up on the income statement tho. Firms that cultivate it often have better margins/profitability & better resilience. Because it is not easy to understand and invest in, investors don’t understand or invest. Good process knowledge firms probably need less capital too. 000
