Sammons uses various yardsticks to indicate the value of particular types of knowledge to an organisation. One measurement is the closeness or proximity of the knowledge owner to your organisation. Therefore, knowledge obtained from industry trade associations is much closer than central government. He has also developed a ranking of the value of knowledge obtained via various knowledge-acquisition strategies. For example, hiring employees with specific knowledge or acquiring knowledge-rich firms is ranked higher than knowledge purchase. Knowledge scanning is seen as the lowest of the strategies, partly because it is the least integrated. Integration is defined as the closeness of formal contractual links. Similarly, he describes knowledge transfer models: these start with latent knowledge, for example, a law book, which can be used for reference when required; moving on to knowledge transfer with skills enhancement; and then to extremely active knowledge transfer, which will effect a strategic change.
The book contains some extremely useful acquisition-planning information: how to assess vendors throughout the contract; advantages and disadvantages of competitive tendering or negotiation; specifying the work and project management: contract costing. The yardstick for return on investment should be a minimum payback of 3:1 and if this target cannot be reached, then the organisation should look for another way to acquire the new knowledge.
The book finishes with chapters on acquiring knowledge from consultants, contract research organisations and universities. It offers insight into some procurement techniques and how organisations perceive the value of acquired knowledge.