The development of a new Malaysian Skills Qualification Framework (MSQF) in the context of National Dual Training System (NDTS)

The Malaysian Skills Qualification Framework (MSQF) was formulated to classify skilled qualification that indicates the level of capabilities on competency descriptors. MSQF currently enforces competence-based training approach in skills training which is in line with National Occupational Skills Standard (NOSS). With the advent of National Dual Training System (NDTS), the existing MSQF may need to be revamped due to new requirements resulting from new orientation toward work process. Thus, the purpose of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of the existing MSQF for MSC shop-floor automotive technicians at level 3 to qualify as knowledge workers (K-workers). The study adopted the interpretive qualitative research design which was premised on the phenomenological method by using interview and observation. For purpose of data collection, participants selected for this study were those who have more than five years of experience in automotive industry and understand NOSS-based training and NDTS. The data analysis forms the themes and the categories that are useful to develop a new framework to show the relationships that exist among the categories under study. This study found that NOSS standards qualify students with specialized skills which restricts them in carrying out other duties and to understand the whole work process were facing challenges especially in fulfilling the industry needs due to technological and work organization changes. Secondly, NDTS based on the work process concept builds upon the business process orientation of new industry and supported by the whole work processes rather than specific or functional units only. Thirdly, based on the research data the new MSQF for MSC shop-floor automotive technicians at level 3 needs to be characterized in line with the two descriptors that are professional competence (knowledge and skills) and personal competence (social skills and autonomy). It is recommended that the new MSQF must be put in place in order to qualify appropriate K-workers for the automotive industry in Malaysia

Online communities: utilising emerging technologies to improve crime prevention knowledge, practice and dissemination

Foreword: Online communities are increasingly being recognised as a way of sharing ideas and knowledge among different practitioner communities, particularly when practitioners are not able to meet face to face. This paper explores the considerations associated with establishing online communities for crime prevention practitioners, drawing on research from across the community of practice, online community and knowledge management sectors. The paper provides an overview of the administrative considerations of online community development, as well as the key barriers and enablers to practitioner engagement in an online community, and the potential implications for a crime prevention-specific practitioner community. As such, it is a useful tool for those in the crime prevention sector wanting to maximise the influence of an existing online community or to guide those contemplating the implementation of an online community of practice in the future

Investigating dynamic capabilities, agility and knowledge management within EMNEs- longitudinal evidence from Europe

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the impact of dynamic capability (DC) of emerging market multinationals (EMNEs) on their firm technological performance by teasing out the concepts of agility and knowledge management (KM) through DC. Design/methodology/approach: Evidence from this study is contextualised on EMNEs that operate in the UK, Germany and France. This study examines the investment in intangible assets which EMNEs use to develop their DC over the period 2005-2016 and how this leads to increased firm technological performance. Findings: Results show that higher investments in DC allow EMNEs to be more agile and gain competencies through KM and thereby sustain competitiveness in the three leading European countries. This research also identifies which EMNE groupings show greater technological performance and how such EMNE groupings are able to translate dynamic capabilities into greater technological performance compared to others over time. In summary, the role of DC during of the global financial crisis was also examined, where they are required to be more agile. Originality/value: This paper sheds light on a novel way and motivation of successful EMNEs in using developed host countries as a location for generating DC through agility and KM

Knowledge flows percolation model – a new model for the relation between knowledge and innovation

The present paper proposes a new way of thinking regarding the relation between innovation and knowledge using a Physics-borrowed model, trying to prove whether knowledge resources can „flow” (be percolated) in a network or a grid, in order to be transformed in technological innovation. In the Knowledge Flow Percolation Model centre, human beings are seen as thinking electrons, both consuming and generating knowledge flow. Through the inter-dependent actions of individuals, knowledge circulates inside different types of organisations, allowing functioning and innovating in order to obtain competitive advantages. The model can be extended also at a national level, and some assumptions of self similarity appear in this process of extension. The model must be seen as a proposal for the research community and as a basis for future observations regarding the importance of knowledge flows in innovation

Universities as knowledge providers in the technological innovation: Romania’s situation

In its first part, the present paper demonstrates the relation between innovation and knowledge using a literature review. Concepts such as technology, technological innovation, knowledge and knowledge flow are defined and described. The Newman model of knowledge flows is then used as a starting point for the analysis of the innovative potential in the Romanian academic sector. The paper also identifies the characteristics of the knowledge actors, transformation and knowledge artefacts at the level of the Romanian universities. In the conclusions part, starting from the characteristics we discovered, we drew a series of recommendations for changing the knowledge web in the academic environment into innovation

Universities as knowledge providers in the technological innovation: Romania’s situation

In its first part, the present paper demonstrates the relation between innovation and knowledge using a literature review. Concepts such as technology, technological innovation, knowledge and knowledge flow are defined and described. The Newman model of knowledge flows is then used as a starting point for the analysis of the innovative potential in the Romanian academic sector. The paper also identifies the characteristics of the knowledge actors, transformation and knowledge artefacts at the level of the Romanian universities. In the conclusions part, starting from the characteristics we discovered, we drew a series of recommendations for changing the knowledge web in the academic environment into innovation

Coordinating Flows of Organisational Knowledge: The Role of the Corporate University

This paper seeks to advance the understanding of the corporate university phenomenon by addressing the role that a corporate university plays in coordinating the flows of organisational knowledge. Drawing on the longitudinal in-depth case study of Severstal Corporate University, we illustrate how a corporate university contributes to dynamic knowledge management in the company by serving as a coordinator of its knowledge flows. The study provides evidence of how a corporate university — by performing three different knowledge-coordinating roles — operates as a corporate function to support evolving business strategies during different periods of organisational development. The findings suggest the following roles of a corporate university are related to the coordination of knowledge flows: knowledge-harmonising, knowledge-disseminating, and knowledge-centralising. As a result of the study, a corporate university appears as a dynamic concept with development stages that can be explained from a teleological rather than life cycle perspective. That is, a corporate university’s development is driven by its changing purpose and goals that are constructed and reconstructed according to the evolving knowledge needs of its parent company

Knowledge management within a multinational knowledge led company

The semiconductor industry relies on knowledge sharing and collaboration between its employees and amongst subsidiary companies to remain competitive in an ever changing, market driven environment. Practise has changed from workers supplying labour to workers supplying knowledge. Technology improvements and investment in automation have provided companies the platform to generate, codify, harness and exploit knowledge as a means of improving organisational performance. This research explores knowledge dynamics in the organisation and specifically looks at knowledge sharing within a subsidiary and among subsidiaries in a multinational corporation. The corporation in question operates its manufacturing facilities as competing business units. The purpose of the research was to establish if this method of organising business units provides the overall corporation with a competitive advantage, or if competing business units inhibits performance preventing or restricting the potential for a competitive advantage for the corporation. To determine how knowledge is shared within the organisation a series of semi-structured interviews were conducted. Senior managers and professional staff across a number of disciplines were interviewed. Knowledge sharing within functional area departments, collaboration between functional area departments, knowledge systems and compliance to knowledge systems were used as determinants to establish the extent of the knowledge dynamic in the subsidiary. The relationship between knowledge sharing and how it impacted the “bottom line” performance of the subsidiary was also considered in an attempt to quantify the impact knowledge sharing has on performance. To determine how knowledge is shared between subsidiaries, two case studies were conducted. The first case study involved a benchmarking visit to allow two of the corporation’s subsidiaries to compare best practice cost systems with multi-disciplines involved. The second case study involved a cross functional team of technical staff to define a manufacturing facility technical yield roadmap. Significant cost, productivity and yield improvement at the site was attributed to the success of collaborative units established at site. Establishing collaborative units was a precursor to setting up a network within the site to promote knowledge sharing in the organisation. The site was cognisant of the impact of effective knowledge sharing and receptive to sharing knowledge on an informal or formal basis. The site put great stock in codified knowledge and invested heavily in automating knowledge based systems. Many barriers to knowledge sharing were identified including compliance to codified procedures, departmental conflicts, viewing knowledge sharing as a burden, variation across automated systems, conflicts caused by the internet as a knowledge source and logistics due to geographical dispersion. Knowledge-led teams overcame many of these barriers. Success bred success to the extent knowledge sharing has become a business process in the organisation. Knowledge sharing is a two way process. It can be a vehicle for trust, respect and improvement. This research has shown knowledge sharing even within competing business units can produce a competitive advantage. An organisation is an accumulation of knowledge. A knowledge-led collaborative approach provides many benefits: it will advance the company, engage staff at all levels and favourably impact the “bottom line”. Knowledge management differentiated the local site from other corporate subsidiaries with the local site demonstrating “best in class” results on its key performance indicators. Encouragingly, there is ample opportunity to improve performance further once knowledge management is fully embedded as a business process across the organisation

TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER: A CASE STUDY OF THE LIBYAN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY

The goal of this research is to investigate the importance of technology and knowledge transfer in the oil and gas industry in Libya. It explores the key characteristics and behaviour associated with the foreign companies who are in a position to transfer a substantial amount of knowledge and technology to local partners. This research also aims at exploring the technology and knowledge processes, their significance and how transfers occur. The aim is to identify the most efficient and effective strategies and policies to support local partners. Further, it examines the nature of the transfer, showing the main barriers which might be faced by both parties. Data for this research were collected via two main methods: questionnaires and interviews (unstructured interviews). Two types of questionnaire were prepared for this study. The first type was specifically written for use with the Libyan nationals, while the second was designed for the foreign personnel in the comp oil and gas industry in Libya. Each type of questionnaire was designed to seek different types of information. Unstructured interviews were also conducted with various individuals where ore qualitative information was obtained. The research findings indicate that both closed technology and tacit knowledge have become very important factors for the rapid development of companies. However, this study found that neither closed technology nor tacit knowledge was transferred widely to the oil and gas industry in Libya. It was discovered that tacit knowledge is held within the individuals, it is the skill that adds wealth to the value and significance of knowlwledge; it is also acquired via dialogue, discussion and exchange of ideas. However, the transfer of tacit knowledge is often difficult because of its nature.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo