A focus on needs and the ability to generate knowledge about needs is highly valuable for organizations because it extends the range of possible solutions and therefore enables them to create more innovative and sustainable products and services. Our paper will explore how a framework based on an abductive reasoning process for the creation and discovery of knowledge about needs in organizations can look like and what the main steps of such a framework are, in order to integrate this approach into the model of the knowledge-based firm. Moreover we will present empirical findings from a project with Austrian companies where this framework has been used.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new type of ba, called ''vocation ba'' and to describe the main aspects of this type of ba as well as its methods. Design/methodology/approach-The paper reviews the literature in the field of self-transcending knowledge and the concept of ba and shows the main aspects for the design of a new methodology and framework. Additionally it analyzes experiences with the new method from several case studies. Findings-First the concept of vocation ba describes a space on the individual level as well as on the collective level for the generation of self-transcending knowledge. Second the method of Vocation-coaching WaVe is a helpful method within the vocation ba. The experiences with these two new concepts from several case studies are very encouraging. Research limitations/implications-The number of case studies at the collective level is still limited, as the authors have been working with the method of Vocation-coaching WaVe at the collective level for two years. At the moment further research is done in larger systems. Practical implications-This study gives insight and information about the method of Vocation-coaching WaVe and the concept of vocation ba. Originality/value-The paper presents one of the few studies, which theoretically and practically deals with the aspect of self-transcending knowledge in the context of vision development processes and knowledge-based management on the individual level as well as on the collective level. The method of Vocation-coaching WaVe at the collective level is a continuous approach of a bottom-up vision development process.

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