Causal Model for Predicting Knowledge Sharing via ICTs

Research has identified numerous constructs impacting employees’ use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for the purposes of knowledge seeking and knowledge contributing. Presently, there is a significant gap in the literature that examines factors that contribute to the most commonly accepted barriers to knowledge sharing and how these factors impact organizational knowledge management practices. This research examines three knowledge sharing barriers (lack of time, poor communications skills, and lack of trust) and proposes three shared contributing factors among them (role conflict, role ambiguity, and locus of control) and a moderator (ICT). A theoretical model is presented to explain the causal relationships between the contributors and ICT users’ knowledge seeking and knowledge contributing behaviors

Exploring factors affecting knowledge sharing at national institute for crime prevention and reintegration of offenders in Pietermaritzburg.

Master of Commerce in Management, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2016.Fast changes in business and innovation are driving organisations to learn and adapt to changes at an extraordinary rate. Most of them understand that unless information gathering and exchange happens quicker they will not have a competitive advantage, as they will be at risk of losing the significant resource of knowledge through knowledge erosion. This study is about exploring factors influencing knowledge sharing in a non-governmental organisation called the National Institute for Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO). This is a qualitative study where interviews were used as a data collection technique and thematic analysis used as a data analysis method. Explorative research design was used in this study to explore a variety of factors impacting knowledge sharing. The targeted population was the employees of NICRO and the purposive sampling method was used to select a sample. The sample size consisted of five employees with different professions and roles in the organisation. The findings indicated that there were a variety of individual, organisational as well as technological factors which influenced knowledge sharing at NICRO. Individual factors such as awareness, personality, altruism and self-efficiency were key determinants of knowledge sharing in the organisation studied. The trust and rewards system was a predominant organisational factor that impacted employees’ behaviour with respect to sharing knowledge, followed by factors such as organisational culture, leadership and organisational structure. The study also ascertained that technological factors played a significant role in influencing knowledge sharing in the studied organisation. On the basis of the research findings, the study recommended that the management of NICRO review and improve their reward system in order to encourage employees to engage in knowledge sharing. The study also recommended that employer and employees reestablish a trustworthy relationship among themselves in order to create favourable conditions for sharing knowledge

Understanding Collaboration Requirements for Modular Construction and their Cascading Failure Impact on Project Performance

Effective Implementation of Modularization Demands Close Collaboration among the Various Project Stakeholders Due to the Distinct and Complex Needs of Such Construction Method. in Fact, Lack of Adequate Collaboration is One of the Main Factors Impacting Modular Construction Performance. Despite that, No Previous Study Has Yet Addressed Collaboration Requirements in Modular Construction and their Cascading Failure Impact on Project Performance. This Paper Fills Such a knowledge Gap. to This End, the Authors Followed a Multistep Research Methodology. First, Systematic Literature Analysis Was Performed to Identify the Factors Impacting Collaboration and the Impacted Modular Risks as Well as their Cause-Effect Relationships. Second, Two Surveys Were Distributed to Collect (1) Importance Weights and Failure Probabilities for the Collaboration Factors; and (2) Failure Probabilities and Performance Impacts for the Modular Risks. Third, Network Analysis Was Conducted using In- and Out-Degree Centralities to Determine the Most Influential and Sensitive Aspects in Terms of Collaboration. Fourth, Independent Cascade Modeling Was Performed to Capture the Cascading Failure Effect of Various Collaboration Aspects on Project Performance. Ultimately, a Total of 25 Factors Were Found to Impact Collaboration Categorized under Four Themes, Including (1) Project Organization and Control, (2) Stakeholders\u27 Relationships and Characteristics, (3) Information Sharing, Documentation, and Technologies, and (4) Design and Construction Planning. Furthermore, 10 Modular Operation Risks Were Found to Be Impacted by Collaboration in Construction Projects. Although the Most Influential Factors Were Related to Information Sharing, Documentation, and Technologies, the Most Sensitive Factors Fell within the Design and Construction Planning. Most Importantly, Results Show that Inadequate Collaboration during Design and Construction Planning Can Lead to 70.6% Direct Growth in Schedule and Cost of Modularized Projects. This Paper Contributes to the Body of Knowledge by Offering an Unprecedented Framework that Investigates Collaboration Requirements in Modular Construction and their Interdependencies

Association between Behavioral Intentions and Knowledge Sharing ; Are Demographics Influential*

Objective: Globally, the inadequate level of knowledge sharing is considered as an increasing concern among educational institutes, impacting educational quality and job performance. Thereby, the study aims to assess the association between behavioral intentions and knowledge sharing by using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). It also examines the influence of the demographic factors on knowledge sharing behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study including a total of 630 academicians from the four educational institutes (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu and Politeknik Kuching) based on a survey approach. The collected data were analyzed statistically using PLS SMART- SEM. Results: The results revealed a significant impact of age, gender, work experience, designation, and education on behavioral intentions and knowledge sharing. It also showed a direct association between behavioral intention and knowledge sharing. Conclusion: The study concludes that collaborative practices should be encouraged among academicians for creating a knowledge sharing culture

Factors impacting knowledge transfer success in information systems outsourcing

Despite increased research interest on knowledge transfer in information systems (IS) outsourcing, the field still lacks sound and holistic understanding of the key factors influencing knowledge transfer success. The present paper attempts to provide a synthesis of existing theoretical perspectives and empirical findings related to the factors that facilitate or hamper knowledge transfer success in IS outsourcing. The data collection method is discussed and the key findings are presented. Conclusion is drawn and further research is suggested

Internal and contextual factors, knowledge processes and performance: From the Chinese provider's perspective

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in Expert Systems with Applications. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2011 Elsevier B.V.This paper explores the influences of two internal factors, i.e. supplier team’s IT-based skills and communication with client’s team, and two contextual factors, i.e. supplier team’s understanding of client’s culture and collaboration with client’s team, on knowledge processes and performance in global sourcing of IT services from the Chinese provider’s perspective. Knowledge processes are characterized by knowledge sharing, knowledge-based coordination and expertise management, and performance is measured by product success and personal satisfaction. Data have been collected in 13 companies in Xi’an Software Park, with 26 in-depth, semi-structured interviews held with top and middle managers, and 200 structured questionnaires distributed to knowledge workers who are involved in global sourcing projects. The results indicate that supplier team’s IT-based skills, communication with client’s team, cultural understanding of client’s culture and collaboration with client’s team are positively associated with knowledge process and performance. Also, knowledge sharing, knowledge-based coordination and expertise management are found to be crucial for those influential factors to function positively and contribute to the performance. The findings of this study suggest that the effects of key factors on knowledge processes and performance in global sourcing of IT services appear to transcend the social and cultural differences; however, contextual factors seem to have more significant influences on knowledge processes and performance in global sourcing of IT services.National Natural Science Foundation of Chin

The Value of Design-led Innovation in Chinese SMEs

Organised by: Cranfield UniversityThis paper focuses on understanding the role and use of design-led innovation in Chinese SMEs. The insights were gained by undertaking a pilot study, based on an applied developmental research approach involving participatory workshops, quantitative and qualitative positioning activities, in depth case studies and an individual pilot project undertaken with SMEs in the Pearl River Delta [PRD] over an 18 month period. It will discuss the findings, highlighting key areas of uncertainty that SMEs experience when attempting to make the transition from OEM to OBM, and how the findings have contributed to the development of a new design-led innovation framework.Mori Seiki – The Machine Tool Compan

Technic and Collaboration Breakdown Structures: Drivers of collaborative problem solving approaches in a supply chain context

Problem Solving Methodologies have been par excellence a cornerstone element of the firms’ strategy on achieving effective continuous improvement. But the enterprise evolution towards an extended environment characterized by network-based organization has radically changed the problem solving paradigms. This paper aims to propose a generic and collaborative methodology addressing more complex and distributed problems, dealing with Supply Chain issues and having a key role as a driver for building global competitive advantages and create superior performances at a Supply Chain level

Inventory drivers in a pharmaceutical supply chain

In recent years, inventory reduction has been a key objective of pharmaceutical companies, especially within cost optimization initiatives. Pharmaceutical supply chains are characterized by volatile and unpredictable demands –especially in emergent markets-, high service levels, and complex, perishable finished-good portfolios, which makes keeping reasonable amounts of stock a true challenge. However, a one-way strategy towards zero-inventory is in reality inapplicable, due to the strategic nature and importance of the products being commercialised. Therefore, pharmaceutical supply chains are in need of new inventory strategies in order to remain competitive. Finished-goods inventory management in the pharmaceutical industry is closely related to the manufacturing systems and supply chain configurations that companies adopt. The factors considered in inventory management policies, however, do not always cover the full supply chain spectrum in which companies operate. This paper works under the pre-assumption that, in fact, there is a complex relationship between the inventory configurations that companies adopt and the factors behind them. The intention of this paper is to understand the factors driving high finished-goods inventory levels in pharmaceutical supply chains and assist supply chain managers in determining which of them can be influenced in order to reduce inventories to an optimal degree. Reasons for reducing inventory levels are found in high inventory holding and scrap related costs; in addition to lost sales for not being able to serve the customers with the adequate shelf life requirements. The thesis conducts a single case study research in a multi-national pharmaceutical company, which is used to examine typical inventory configurations and the factors affecting these configurations. This paper presents a framework that can assist supply chain managers in determining the most important inventory drivers in pharmaceutical supply chains. The findings in this study suggest that while external and downstream supply chain factors are recognized as being critical to pursue inventory optimization initiatives, pharmaceutical companies are oriented towards optimizing production processes and meeting regulatory requirements while still complying with high service levels, being internal factors the ones prevailing when making inventory management decisions. Furthermore, this paper investigates, through predictive modelling techniques, how various intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the inventory configurations of the case study company. The study shows that inventory configurations are relatively unstable over time, especially in configurations that present high safety stock levels; and that production features and product characteristics are important explanatory factors behind high inventory levels. Regulatory requirements also play an important role in explaining the high strategic inventory levels that pharmaceutical companies hold

Increasing the intensity and comprehensiveness of aphasia services: identification of key factors influencing implementation across six countries

Background: Aphasia services are currently faced by increasing evidence for therapy of greater intensity and comprehensiveness. Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) combine these elements in an evidence-based, time-limited group program. The incorporation of new service delivery models in routine clinical practice is, however, likely to pose challenges for both the service provider and administering clinicians. This program of research aims to identify these challenges from the perspective of aphasia clinicians from six countries and will seek to trial potential solutions. Continual advancements in global communication technologies suggest that solutions will be easily shared and accessed across multiple countries. Aims: To identify the perceived and experienced barriers and facilitators to the implementation of 1) intensive aphasia services, 2) comprehensive aphasia services, and 3) ICAPs, from aphasia clinicians across six countries. Methods and procedures: A qualitative enquiry approach included data from six focus groups (n = 34 participants) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), and Ireland. A thematic analysis of focus group data was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Outcomes and results: Five prominent theoretical domains from the TDF influenced the implementation of all three aphasia service types across participating countries: environmental context and resources, beliefs about consequences, social/professional role and identity, skills, and knowledge. Four overarching themes assisted the identification and explanation of the key barriers and facilitators: 1. Collaboration, joint initiatives and partnerships, 2. Advocacy, the promotion of aphasia services and evidence-based practice, 3. Innovation, the ability to problem solve challenges, and 4. Culture, the influence of underlying values. Conclusions: The results of this study will inform the development of a theoretically informed intervention to improve health services’ adherence to aphasia best practice recommendations