Diffusion and appropriation of knowledge in different organizational structures

The central question of this paper is: what are the forces that determine the continuum negative relationship between knowledge diffusion and appropriation in the context of the new techno-productive paradigm? In connection to this question we will make reference to the following issues: [i] How does new knowledge spread in a capitalist economy and how is this issue related to a collusive or classical spread of the benefits of technical progress?; [ii] Does the underlying logic specific to tacit and codified forms of knowledge have a bearing on diffusion and appropriation dynamics?; [iii] Can the creation of cognitive capacities at the organizational level be understood as a relevant form of protection in the economy of the knowledge era?