19,347 research outputs found
Family orientation, strategy and organizational learning as predictors of knowledge management in Dutch SMEs
Knowledge management (KM) is becoming a growing concern in management research and practice because of its role in determining firm innovation capability and in enhancing working life quality of knowledge workers. Although research and policy interest in KM is beginning to grow for small and medium-sized suppliers, still relatively limited attention has been paid to understand the specifics of KM issues of SMEs in particular. Previous studies rely on either qualitative case studies or very small samples. In this study, we will investigate KM among SMEs using empirical data from about 2000 SMEs. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of different KM techniques and the determinants of KM. We found that SMEs are most likely to acquire knowledge by staying in touch with professionals and experts outside the company. Also, SMEs are most likely to share knowledge and experience by talking to each other and to store knowledge in formal repositories. Furthermore, we found a significant positive relationship between organizational learning and strategy and knowledge management, as well as a significant negative relationship between family orientation and knowledge management. In conclusion, knowledge management practices are not independent from other resources and processes inside SMEs. Therefore, there is no all-in-one knowledge management practices package for all types of SMEs across industries.
Integrating artificial intelligence for knowledge management systems – synergy among people and technology: a systematic review of the evidence
This paper analyses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Knowledge
Management (KM) and focuses primarily on examining to what
degree AI can help companies in their efforts to handle information and manage knowledge effectively. A search was carried out
for relevant electronic bibliographic databases and reference lists
of relevant review articles. Articles were screened and the eligibility was based on participants, procedures, comparisons, outcomes
(PICO) model, and criteria for PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items
for Systematic Reviews). The results reveal that knowledge management and AI are interrelated fields as both are intensely connected to knowledge; the difference reflects in how – while AI
offers machines the ability to learn, KM offers a platform to better
understand knowledge. The research findings further point out
that communication, trust, information systems, incentives or
rewards, and the structure of an organization; are related to
knowledge sharing in organizations. This systematic literature
review is the first to throw light on KM practices & the knowledge
cycle and how the integration of AI aids knowledge management
systems, enterprise performance & distribution of knowledge
within the organization. The outcomes offer a better understanding of efficient and effective knowledge resource management
for organizational advantage. Future research is necessary on
smart assistant systems thus providing social benefits that
strengthen competitive advantage. This study indicates that
organizations must take note of definite KM leadership traits and
organizational arrangements to achieve stable performance
through KM
A framework for effective management of condition based maintenance programs in the context of industrial development of E-Maintenance strategies
CBM (Condition Based Maintenance) solutions are increasingly present in industrial systems due to two
main circumstances: rapid evolution, without precedents, in the capture and analysis of data and
significant cost reduction of supporting technologies. CBM programs in industrial systems can become
extremely complex, especially when considering the effective introduction of new capabilities provided
by PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) and E-maintenance disciplines. In this scenario, any CBM
solution involves the management of numerous technical aspects, that the maintenance manager needs
to understand, in order to be implemented properly and effectively, according to the company’s strategy.
This paper provides a comprehensive representation of the key components of a generic CBM solution,
this is presented using a framework or supporting structure for an effective management of the CBM
programs. The concept “symptom of failure”, its corresponding analysis techniques (introduced by ISO
13379-1 and linked with RCM/FMEA analysis), and other international standard for CBM open-software
application development (for instance, ISO 13374 and OSA-CBM), are used in the paper for the
development of the framework. An original template has been developed, adopting the formal structure
of RCM analysis templates, to integrate the information of the PHM techniques used to capture the failure
mode behaviour and to manage maintenance. Finally, a case study describes the framework using the
referred template.Gobierno de Andalucía P11-TEP-7303 M
Tacit knowledge elicitation process for industry 4.0
Manufacturers migrate their processes to Industry 4.0, which includes new technologies for improving productivity and efficiency of operations. One of the issues is capturing, recreating, and documenting the tacit knowledge of the aging workers. However, there are no systematic procedures to incorporate this knowledge into Enterprise Resource Planning systems and maintain a competitive advantage. This paper describes a solution proposal for a tacit knowledge elicitation process for capturing operational best practices of experienced workers in industrial domains based on a mix of algorithmic techniques and a cooperative game. We use domain ontologies for Industry 4.0 and reasoning techniques to discover and integrate new facts from textual sources into an Operational Knowledge Graph. We describe a concepts formation iterative process in a role game played by human and virtual agents through socialization and externalization for knowledge graph refinement. Ethical and societal concerns are discussed as well
What is Strategic Competence and Does it Matter? Exposition of the Concept and a Research Agenda
Drawing on a range of theoretical and empirical insights from strategic management and the cognitive and organizational sciences, we argue that strategic competence constitutes the ability of organizations and the individuals who operate within them to work within their cognitive limitations in such a way that they are able to maintain an appropriate level of responsiveness to the contingencies confronting them. Using the language of the resource based view of the firm, we argue that this meta-level competence represents a confluence of individual and organizational characteristics, suitably configured to enable the detection of those weak signals indicative of the need for change and to act accordingly, thereby minimising the dangers of cognitive bias and cognitive inertia. In an era of unprecedented informational burdens and instability, we argue that this competence is central to the longer-term survival and well being of the organization. We conclude with a consideration of the major scientific challenges that lie ahead, if the ideas contained within this paper are to be validated
Knowledge diffusion at a major central European automotive supplier
Diffusion of knowledge is a topic approached by modern economy to reach and sustain
competitive advantage. As the environment is more uncertain, it is essential organisations learn
to deal with new environmental changes as a consequence of Industry 4.0.
The purpose of this project is to assess the adequacy of valuable knowledge diffusion
in organisations during the implementation of Industry 4.0 principles and technologies. This
diffusion is implemented in automotive businesses reaching an improvement of communication
and production processes and consequently the productivity.
This project establishes a case study, was adopted by an automotive industry Group
focusing in promotion of knowledge diffusion and Industry 4.0 implementation among various
stakeholders of the same company. The processes were analysed using observation,
unstructured interviews and focus groups. The proposed challenge was to study how to apply
Industry 4.0 to improve relevant knowledge sharing processes within the company.
Regarding the needs and challenges identified, the best approach was to develop a
communication channel which aligns the knowledge between all stakeholders. To link the two
departments, recognize the value of an invention and achieve an innovation, some
improvements were suggested and a new mean of communication was developed.
The created product have not already been implemented due to time required,
stakeholders busy schedule and R&D work dependability. With the proposed solution, the
company will overcome the identified communication challenge and reduce the loss of
important knowledge to maintain their progress.A difusão do conhecimento é um dos tópicos mais abordados pela economia moderna
para alcançar e sustentar a vantagem competitiva. Como o ambiente empresarial é mais instável
é fundamental que as organizações aprendam a lidar com as novas mudanças ambientais
introduzidas pela Indústria 4.0.
O objetivo deste projeto é avaliar no sponsor a adequação da difusão do seu
conhecimento mais valioso na implementação dos princípios e tecnologias da Indústria 4.0.
Esta difusão é implementada para melhorar os processos de comunicação e produção de forma
a melhorar a sua produtividade no setor automóvel.
Este projeto constitui um caso de estudo que foi abordado por um grupo da indústria
automóvel para promover a difusão do conhecimento, melhorar processos de partilha de
conhecimentos relevantes e a implementação da Indústria 4.0 entre os diversos stakeholders da
empresa. Os processos foram analisados e os dados recolhidos por observação, entrevistas nãoestruturadas
e focus groups.
Em relação aos desafios identificados, a abordagem escolhida foi desenvolver um canal
de comunicação para alinhar o conhecimento entre todas as partes interessadas. Para ligar os
dois departamentos, reconhecer o valor de uma invenção e para alcançar uma inovação foram
sugeridas algumas melhorias e desenvolvido um novo meio de comunicação.
A implementação do produto ainda não foi realizada devido à sua duração, à agenda
ocupada dos stakeholders e à dependência do trabalho resultante da P&D. Com a solução
proposta, a empresa conseguirá ultrapassar o desafio de comunicação identificado e reduzirá as
perdas de conhecimentos importantes para manter a sua evolução
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Knowledge representation within information systems in manufacturing environments
This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Representing knowledge as information content alone is insufficient in providing us with an understanding of the world around us. A combination of context as well as reasoning of the information content is fundamental to representing knowledge in an information system. Knowledge Representation is typically concerned with providing structures and theories that are used as a basis for intelligent reasoning. For this research however, the author defines an alternative meaning, which is related to how knowledge is used in a given context. Thus, this dissertation provides a contribution to the field of knowledge within information systems, in terms of the development of a frame-of-reference that will support the reader in navigating through the different forms of explicit and tacit knowledge use within the manufacturing industry. In doing so, the dissertation also presents the generation of a novel classification of three forms of knowledge (Structural, Interpretive and Evaluative forms); the development of a conceptual framework which highlights the drivers for knowledge transformation; and the development of a conceptual model which seeks to envelop both the content as well as the context of knowledge (Semiotic as well as Symbiotic factors). This is established through the use of an Empirical, Quantitative case study approach, that seeks to explore an interpretivist view of knowledge representation within two information systems contexts, within two UK manufacturing organisations. The first case study presents how a-priori knowledge assumptions are used in a computer aided engineering decision-making task within a high technology manufacturing company. The second case study shows how knowledge is used within the IT/IS investment evaluation decision making process, within a manufacturing SME. In doing so, both case studies attempt to elucidate the inherent, underlying relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge, via a frame-of-reference developed by the author which defines key drivers for knowledge transformation
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