Managing Knowledge in Project Environments

Projects ought to be vehicles for both practical benefits and organizational learning. However, if an organization is designed for the long term, a project exists only for its duration. Project-based organizations face an awkward dilemma: the project-centric nature of their work makes knowledge management, hence learning, difficult

The Role of Information and Communications Technology in Socializing Knowledge Management

The globalization of business, the shift from production-based to a knowledge-based economy, the growth of information communications technology (ICT), the strive to become learning organizations and the emergence of the needs for knowledge workers have made knowledge management practice a must today across all types and levels of firms However, because the concept is so new, there exist different views among practitioners and even researchers on how a knowledge management program can be designed and implemented in organizations. This paper posits that knowledge management can be socialized and works in an organization. It also review the related literature on the knowledge management strategy, including the review of the different definition of the knowledge management, types of the knowledge, processes of acquiring knowledge, and the knowledge management strategy according to various empirical studies conducted by scholars. This paper further reviews the technologies and the technology tools to be used in the development of social networks for KM in an organization. A brief description on knowledge processes and technology enabler, the impact of social networking site and socialized KM in today’s organization, the reason for socializing KM and the component of KM are discuss. The strategy for Km implementation and the two main strategies are discussed. The literature are based on the past studies and researches. Keywords: Knowledge Management, Social Networks, I

The complex interaction between Global Production Networks, Digital Information Systems and International Knowledge Transfers

Traditionally many studies of knowledge in economics have focused on localized networks and intra-regional collaborations. However, the rising frequency by which firms collaborate within the context of global networks of production and innovation, the increasingly intricate divisions of labor involved and the extensive use of the Internet to facilitate interaction are all relatively novel trends that underline the importance of knowledge creation and flows across different locations. Focusing on this topic, the present chapter examines the complex interactions between global production networks (GPN), digital information systems (DIS) and knowledge transfers in information technology industries. It seeks to disentangle the various conduits through which different kinds of knowledge are transferred within such networks, and investigate how recent generations of DIS are affecting those knowledge transfers. The paper concludes that the dual expansion of GPN and DIS is adding new complexity to the practice of innovation: To access knowledge necessary for sustained creativity firms often have to link up with remote partners in GPN, but to be able to absorb and utilize this knowledge, they also frequently have to engage in local interactive learning processes. These local- global linkages - and the various skills necessary to operate them - are strongly interdependent, mutually reinforcing and critical for the development and maintenance of innovation-based competitiveness.

Tacit Knowledge, Organisational Learning and Innovation A Societal Perspective

Knowledge and competence are increasingly regarded as the most critical resources of firms and economies. Much recent attention has focused, in particular, on the importance of 'tacit knowledge' for sustaining firms’ competitiveness, and its role in technological innovation and organisational learning. This paper argues that the extent to which tacit knowledge constitutes the knowledge base of the firm, and how it is formed and used are powerfully shaped by the broader social and institutional context. It builds upon the premise that the knowledge of the firm is socially embedded. It is rooted in organisational coordination mechanisms and routines which, in turn, are heavily influenced by societal institutions. Societal level factors such as education and training systems, the structures of the labour market and social relationships between different occupational groups are important factors shaping organisational structures and processes within which the knowledge of the firm is embedded. The paper develops a four-fold typology, at the individual, organisational and societal levels, as an analytical framework to explain the links between knowledge types, patterns of work organisation and societal institutions. It shows how the three levels interact to shape the learning and innovative capabilities of firms. The theory developed in this paper represents the first attempt to integrate the diverse strands of literature and different levels of analysis into a single coherent framework. It holds promise for interpreting and understanding the sources of differences in learning and innovation practices between firms, industries and countries.Tacit knowledge, organisational learning, innovation, national innovation system, societal effect

Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management: Explicating the Multi-Level Nature of Dynamic Capabilities - Insights from the Information Technology Security Consulting Industry

The dynamic capabilities perspective has become one of the most vibrant approaches to strategic management. Despite its growing popularity, it has faced criticism because of ambiguity and contradictions in dynamic capabilities literature. There has been increasing calls to address the fragmentation in the literature and provide empirically collaborated insights if it is to fulfil its potential as a distinct approach to strategic management. The microfoundations research agenda remains an emerging theme in the dynamic capabilities literature and since the overarching emphasis of a microfoundational approach is in the explanatory primacy of the micro-level especially in its relation to macro-level entities, it covers a wide array of subjects at several levels. One of the main criticisms of the microfoundations approach is a lack of multi-level analysis and there has been calls for multi-level theory development to connect levels within particular contexts since dynamic capabilities are path dependent and context-specific. This thesis explores the multi-level nature of dynamic capabilities in the Information Technology Security context and empirically investigates the impact of microfoundations of dynamic capabilities on firm capability renewal and reconfiguration. It overcomes the challenge associated with fragmentation in dynamic capabilities by presenting a conceptual model for the multi-level nature of dynamic capabilities. By explicating where dynamic capabilities reside, we can more purposely impact on them to advance our scholarly understanding and proffer practical managerial interventions to directly enhance specific abilities of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring to achieve superior outcomes. The research employed the Gioia qualitative case study research methodology and research methods used were 35 semi-structured interviews and observations. The research findings suggest that firms renew and reconfigure their capabilities to align with the changing industry and industry standards, and client needs. Firms also renew and reconfigure capabilities and capability framework due to internal strategic organisational learning and to align with firm’s specific business strategies. Capability renewal and reconfiguration is vital to achieve technical and evolutionary fitness. In addition, findings inform that dynamic capabilities in the form of ability to sense, seize and reconfigure exhibit at macro, meso and micro levels. Actor’s external engagement with significant institutions enables superior sensing ability. Accumulated experience is exploited to gain credibility with clients to win business, and demystifying firm processes and clarity of language in firm artefacts achieve superior knowledge articulation and codification processes by actors. Structuring of simple routines and capabilities enable ease of internal knowledge transfer but susceptibility to intellectual property theft by outsiders whereas complex routines and capabilities create challenges for knowledge transfer but are harder for competitors to discern and copy. Drawing on the research findings, the thesis presents a conceptual model for the multi-level microfoundations of dynamic capabilities in knowledge-intensive domains with relevance for theory and practice

Characterising the knowledge approach of a firm: an investigation of knowledge activities in five software SMEs

An organisation’s ability to successfully compete in a changing market place is contingent on its ability to manage what it knows, in order to serve the objectives of the firm. While it has been argued that due to their size, knowledge management (KM) is not a concern for smaller organisations, in the current economic climate, it is expected that a more formalised approach to KM allows the company to seize opportunities as they arise, and deal with environmental uncertainty more effectively. In view of this, the objective of this study was to devise a classification of knowledge activities (KAs) which facilitates the exploration of a Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in terms of the type and extent to which knowledge is managed. Furthermore, analysis of KAs provided a greater understanding of the fit between the firm’s objectives and the KM approach pursued. In order to achieve this, five case studies were conducted. Based on the classification of KAs identified, a qualitative analysis approach was used to code each of the twenty eight interviews carried out. Both quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods were applied to facilitate data reduction and generate meaning from the significant volume of data collected. The output from this study includes a classification of KAs which provides rich insight into how SMEs are motivated to deal with knowledge as a means of achieving their organisational objectives. From a practitioner viewpoint, this study seeks to offer an improved understanding of a software SMEs’ approach to KM

Organizational culture and knowledge management success at project and organizational levels in contracting firms

Author name used in this publication: Patrick S. W. Fong2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Knowledge Dynamics: Exploring its Meanings and Interpretations

In the literature there are many and different interpretations of the concept knowledge dynamics that creates a real difficulty in working with it. There is no comprehensive study of all these meanings and interpretations attributed to knowledge dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to explore the semantic spectrum of the concept of knowledge dynamics and to reveal the most relevant meanings and interpretations researchers in the domain of knowledge management attribute to it. The multitude of meanings and interpretations can be explained as a result of using different metaphors for expressing the concept of knowledge. Also, many researchers come from different domains of science and have different practical experiences in working with knowledge and knowledge management. The research question is how can be found a common framework to explain the most significant meanings and interpretations of the knowledge dynamics concept. Understanding this concept is necessary for all researchers, academics, and practitioners working in the domain of knowledge management and intellectual capital. The research method is based on a critical literature review, on using metaphorical thinking and on a comparative semantic analysis. It is a conceptual paper and therefore its structure will follow the logic of analysis and not that used for empirical research papers. The findings are integrated into a complex but coherent semantic framework based on both Newtonian and Thermodynamics principles

From knowledge to knowing, from boundaries to boundary construction

International audienceThis special issue is concerned with knowledge sharing and boundary crossing. Knowledge management is a constantly expanding field. Like any research area, it is shot through with complex questions. This is certainly the case with regard to boundaries, since they constitute both a bounding line that has to be crossed if the knowledge required for innovation is to be diffused and a form of protection for scientific and technological organisations and institutions. The studies published in this special issue clearly illustrate this complexity, since they are concerned with processes such as learning, the dynamic of expertise, the joint creation of knowledge, the resource-based view, brokering activities, HRM (Human Resources Management) processes and the dynamic of scientific disciplines. The objects under investigation are very diverse; they include project teams, luxury hotels, urban projects, hospitals, clusters, the aeronautics industry and agricultural systems. These studies draw on approaches that have become established over time. There is a history behind the succession of approaches in the field of knowledge management (Snowden, 2002),so it may be useful to put these various pieces of research into context. The central question of this special issue is that of boundaries: between projects, between organisations, between types of knowledge, between scientific disciplines and, of course, between actors. This examination of boundaries leads to a state of the art review that begins with the question of knowledge transfer. Van Wijk & al. (2008) consider the antecedents of the transfer considering three major topics: knowledge, organizational and network characteristics. We take adifferent approachusing ahistorical approach to theconcepts. Following Tsoukas (1996, 2009), we propose to criticize the dominant approach of the transfer. In addition, we want to show and comment the change from the concept of knowledge transfer to the concept of boundary. In a constructivist way (Le Moigne, 1994, Von Glasersfeld, 1995) and with Holford (2015) we propose the concept of boundary construction in order to underline the role of interactions " actors-objects-actors "

The Dynamics of Knowledge Creation Within Innovation Process From Case Studies to Agent Based Modelling

While it is a truism to underline that modern industrial development in high technology environment strongly relies on innovation, little is known about the innovation success factors. We argue that studying innovation process – defined as a knowledge creation process – from a complexity perspective enables us to better understand this emergent process and its characteristics. This research deals with the knowledge creation trajectory within innovation processes. The framework of the paper is built on a review of a knowledge based view of innovation and the theory of complex adaptive system (CAS). Departing from real-life case studies of innovation processes, the research aims to explore and to understand the knowledge creation trajectory with a focus on the dynamics of this process. The empirical studies refer to IT-based innovations. We use a case study methodology based on a combination of data collection methods: interviews with key actors, non-participant observations and analysis of internal documents explaining the project stakes. The results show that the four processes of innovation evolve in seven, separate but interdependent, knowledge creation stages. The interweaving of these stages allows us to analyze the trajectory dynamics. The research also provides some evidence about the internal and external parameters impacting the trajectory. In addition, we observe a complex dynamic of evolution – specific to each process – characterized mainly by adaptation loops and feedback processes. The results of case studies allow developing an agent-based model of knowledge creation within innovation process and offering a new view of innovation, based on an interactionnist social approach