The Influence of Social Networking Technology in an Engineering Organization

Computer facilitated Social Networking (SN) is becoming more prevalent in our society, both in our personal and professional lives. As its use grows, there is a desire to determine how it will impact an organization. If it can positively impact an organization then it is an initiative that could be embraced and leveraged for any number of business related activities from marketing to engineering. This project develops and implements a social networking treatment for an engineering organization in order to determine how it impacts the responsiveness and performance of the organization. The treatment includes an online tool, a training package, and organizational support throughout the study. The analysis of the data showed that, within the scope of this study, when an organization is provided with a social networking program and associated training and resource allocation there is no apparent impact on the organization. The tool was not used enough to itself have a significant impact on the organization however, subtle changes in the organization as a result of the overall treatment process are noticeable. Some factors that may have impacted the results were a lack of usefulness of the SN tool, the adequacy of the training was insufficient, and participants didn\u27t see the instilled benefit in using the SN tool. This paper presents the methodology, results, conclusions, and courses of action for follow up research

Assessing Faulty Knowledge Management Systems In Project-Based Organisations

This investigation contributes an action science approach to evaluate faulty Knowledge Management Systems (KMSs). It also contributes a model of a faulty KMS. We developed and implemented a seven-step action science approach to evaluate an underperforming KMS in a Research and Development (R&D) organisation. We used literature and our experience as applied researchers to develop the approach. To develop the model, we additionally used the data we collected from the R&D organisation. The model represents the systemic relationships hampering knowledge creation, transfer and application in the R&D organisation in a one-way, open-loop system model. This investigation addresses the gaps in the literature about a general model and an approach that can guide organisations to evaluate underperforming KMSs. Organisations can use the results of this investigation as a guide to enhance and design KMSs. Investigators can also use the results as a foundation for further R&D in Knowledge Management (KM). © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd

Estudio de la capacidad de absorción del conocimiento en la empresa industrial española: propuesta de un modelo de capacidad de absorción desde la gestión del conocimiento

En esta Tesis Doctoral se investiga el núcleo de la capacidad de absorción de conocimiento en la empresa, para explicar la conversión de su dimensión potencial a realizada, identificando los principales elementos que intervienen en este proceso de absorción. Paralelamente, se propone una conceptualización y un modelo propio de la capacidad de absorción, como competencia directiva, que supone la inclusión de un mecanismo estratégico formado por la gestión tecnológica y las estrategias hacia el exterior (colaboraciones tecnológicas), que interactúa, como fase de gestión, con el resto de fases de la capacidad de absorción (exploración, asimilación, transformación y explotación). A partir de un estudio longitudinal representativo de las empresas industriales españolas, procedente de la Encuesta de Estrategias Empresariales de la Fundación SEPI, se contrasta empíricamente la validez del modelo de capacidad de absorción propuesto y se ofrece una guía de buenas prácticas para su aplicación y puesta en práctica.This Doctoral Thesis investigates the core of the knowledge absorptive capacity in the firm, to explain the conversion of the potential dimension to the realized dimension, identifying the main elements of this absorption process. Simultaneously, it proposes a conceptualization and an own model of the absorptive capacity, as a managerial competence, which involves the inclusion of a strategic mechanism formed by the technology management and strategies toward the outside (technological collaborations), which interacts, as management phase, with the rest of the absorptive capacity phases (exploration, assimilation, transformation and exploitation). From a representative longitudinal study of the Spanish industrial companies, from the Survey of Business Strategies of the SEPI Foundation, contrast empirically the validity of the model of the proposed absorptive capacity and provides a guide to good practices for its application and implementation