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1 – 10 of over 151000Kamla Ali Al-Busaidi and Lorne Olfman
Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing…
Abstract
Purpose
Inter-organizational knowledge sharing systems (IOKSS) are crucial for scientific, social and economic development especially in knowledge-intensive sectors. Knowledge sharing processes and systems will not only be challenged by individual and organizational factors but also by social, technical and political inter-organizational factors. This paper aims to investigate the impact of knowledge worker, peer, IOKSS, organization and sector factors on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Knowledge workers are the key stakeholders that enable the survival of IOKSS.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected, through a questionnaire, from knowledge workers in the education and the health sectors.
Findings
This study found that the human factors (related to knowledge workers and their peers) have significant direct impact on intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Other factors, such as IOKSS system, organization and sector factors showed indirect impacts on knowledge workers’ intention to share knowledge through IOKSS. Such investigation can be very valuable for developing countries as technological innovations such as IOKSS can be crucial for training and building human resources, and national knowledge management.
Originality/value
Little is empirically known about the enablers of sharing knowledge in systems that connect organizations in horizontal linkage in a specific sector or industry. The study also adds value to under investigated region.
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Chyan Yang and Hsueh‐Chuan Yen
To provide the knowledge structure for an effective knowledge‐based organization which integrates knowledge into organizational goals.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide the knowledge structure for an effective knowledge‐based organization which integrates knowledge into organizational goals.
Design/methodology/approach
The structure, function, and process of a viable organization were discussed which provided a basis to construct a knowledge management (KM) framework and demonstrate knowledge structure in a knowledge‐based organization. Based on systems view and viable systems model (VSM), a range of recently published KM practices were reviewed to position various knowledge content.
Findings
This study proposed a viable systems framework for organizational KM based on the VSM of Beer. Using the viable systems framework, organizational knowledge can be classified into four categories. Knowledge content was articulated based on the systems view. Thus, knowledge structure of various management hierarchies can be captured.
Originality/value
The result contributes to the practice of knowledge executive by supporting the diagnosis and design of an effective knowledge‐based organization. The framework also provides a basis for future empirical studies on the relationships between KM strategies and organizational effectiveness. A specific KM strategy exists that can maximize the effectiveness of each of the four types of knowledge.
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Anita Caduff, Marie Lockton, Alan J. Daly and Martin Rehm
The study analyzes how equity-focused knowledge brokers, working at different levels of the US education system, understand and discuss capacity building in education systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The study analyzes how equity-focused knowledge brokers, working at different levels of the US education system, understand and discuss capacity building in education systems, such as schools, districts, state and local education agencies, to answer this research question: How do equity-focused knowledge brokers support capacity building in education systems?
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five well-known equity-focused organizations that broker evidence-based knowledge and resources to educational systems, practitioners and policymakers. The research team members qualitatively analyzed 18 h of recordings, using their co-developed codebook based on the research questions and prior research on knowledge mobilization.
Findings
Four strategies to build capacity within the educational systems were identified. Pursuing sustainable educational change, brokering organizations built capacity with context-specific strategies: (1) engaging various roles within educational systems, (2) fostering communities and partnerships, (3) supporting educators and policymakers’ agency and efficacy and (4) creating a wider culture of external support beyond the systems themselves.
Originality/value
This study shows how knowledge brokers employed context-specific strategies targeting whole systems instead of individuals to ensure that the organization and individuals within had the mindsets, capability, and conditions to engage with and adapt the brokered knowledge and resources. Findings build on existing literature showing how knowledge brokers build capacity through well-known approaches, such as workshops/training, online tutorials and other online resources.
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New technologies have made the increased globalization of information resources and services possible. In this situation, it is ethically and intellectually beneficial to protect…
Abstract
New technologies have made the increased globalization of information resources and services possible. In this situation, it is ethically and intellectually beneficial to protect cultural and information diversity. This paper analyzes the problems of creating ethically based globally accessible and culturally acceptable knowledge representation and organization systems, and foundation principles for the ethical treatment of different cultures are established on the basis of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The concept of “cultural hospitality”, which can act as a theoretical framework for the ethical warrant of knowledge representation and organization systems, is described. This broad discussion is grounded with an extended example of one cultural universal, the concept of time and its expression in calendars. Methods of achieving cultural and user hospitality in information systems are discussed for their potential for creating ethically based systems. It is concluded that cultural hospitality is a promising concept for assessing the ethical foundations of new knowledge representation and organization systems and for planning revisions to existing systems.
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Ademir de Jesus Soares, Reinalda Blanco Pereira, Roquemar de Lima Baldam and Antonio Carlos de Francisco
The purpose of this article is to propose a standardization model that contributes to the creation of organizational knowledge in the paper industry. This study was oriented to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to propose a standardization model that contributes to the creation of organizational knowledge in the paper industry. This study was oriented to answer the question: how to create organizational knowledge through the standardization model of the paper industry’s production system?
Design/methodology/approach
This research was applied in the main production unit of the paper organization. The data were collected through the analysis of documents, systems and routines of the researched unit. In the research, the observation technique and direct documentation were used. For the operationalization of the research, the following phases were carried: understanding of the applied standardization model, literature review on the research topics, formulation of a standardization model and application of the model.
Findings
A model of standardization of production processes that contributes to the creation of organizational knowledge, in which a correlation of all its stages with the Knowledge conversion modes was found and validated through an applied research in the industry.
Research limitations/implications
This study is applied in a paper industry. In the survey, there is no comparison with other companies. The adaptation of the study in other industries and organizations can increase knowledge about the connection of standardized systems with knowledge conversion modes, adjusting them to other environments or other situations.
Originality/value
This study stands out for empirically testing, a standardization model that favors the creation of knowledge through the analysis of the various activities in a paper industry, providing a real connection between the knowledge management literature and the organizational environment. Standardization can represent an instrument of innovation in the most diverse types of industry, as long as it comes with a proposal for something new and better than the existing model.
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Livio Cricelli, Michele Grimaldi and Musadaq Hanandi
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to support decision-makers in selecting information systems (ISs) and knowledge management systems (KMSs), by taking into…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to support decision-makers in selecting information systems (ISs) and knowledge management systems (KMSs), by taking into consideration factors and perspectives which influence the choice.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework has been built on a hierarchical structure, where selection criteria and sub-criteria are defined and compared, and where alternatives are established and evaluated according to the software market trends. The application of the framework to an empirical study in two leading organizations in Jordan is provided as a validation of the proposed framework.
Findings
The paper presents and applies a methodological framework, based on the analytic hierarchy process approach, to support decision-makers in the choice and in the implementation of an IS.
Research limitations/implications
Future research could address the implementation of the framework within a selected industry. Successively, the framework could be utilized to make a comparison among the selected KMSs of more organizations.
Originality/value
The framework is innovative in so far it can be practicably implemented in every business context, as criteria and sub-criteria cover most of the needs of any organization. It can therefore be considered as a holistic approach for supporting decision-makers in the selection process of an IS.
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Jamal A. Nazari, Irene M. Herremans, Robert G. Isaac, Armond Manassian and Theresa J.B. Kline
This study aims to empirically investigate the role of organizational culture and climate in supporting intellectual capital (IC) management systems. Specifically, it seeks to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to empirically investigate the role of organizational culture and climate in supporting intellectual capital (IC) management systems. Specifically, it seeks to investigate the relationship between organizational characteristics (culture and climate) and IC management systems in the Middle East (Iran and Lebanon) and Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were gathered via a survey instrument and statistical analysis was used to test for significance between dependent and independent variables. Then a two‐stage hierarchical multiple regression was used to test for the nature and effects of country of origin as a moderating variable.
Findings
The findings suggest that both culture and climate play significant roles in developing management systems for IC. In addition, for country, when organizational climate improves, Middle Eastern respondents perceived an even greater improvement in IC management systems compared to their Canadian counterparts.
Originality/value
There is limited research that has been undertaken to compare developed and developing countries with regard to the influence of organizational characteristics on IC management systems. This research is timely given the recent publication of the Arab Human Development Report and the Arab Knowledge Report. This study provides insight into the ability of organizations in the Middle East to develop a knowledge base and reduce the knowledge gap between the Arab world and countries currently classified as knowledge intensive.
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Jessica Li, Gary Brake, Angeline Champion, Tony Fuller, Sandy Gabel and Lori Hatcher‐Busch
The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge management systems have been used by the studied organizations to improve knowledge accessibility and knowledge sharing in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how knowledge management systems have been used by the studied organizations to improve knowledge accessibility and knowledge sharing in order to increase workplace learning.
Design/methodology/approach
The study relies on a qualitative multisite case study method. Data were obtained from five organizations at a southern state in the USA. Multiple interviews, onsite observation, and documentation analyses were conducted at each studied organization. Data analysis used open coding and thematic analysis. Results were triangulated based on multiple data sources.
Findings
The findings revealed that the learning environment of an organization is important for workplace learning. All studied organizations share a need for a conversion of tacit to explicit knowledge in order to facilitate effective informal learning in the workplace. This research concludes that engineering the learning environment through effective knowledge management should be a cohesive effort of the entire organization and demands congruent support from all levels of the organization.
Originality/value
The study expands the understanding of issues related to workplace learning through knowledge accessibility in both business and academic settings. To improve workplace learning, one should not just stipulate technology interventions; other factors, such as the organization's design, work design, and the culture/vision of the organization, all play important roles in the creation of a learning organization that will induce informal learning in the workplace.
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Siew Hoong Angela Lee and Tong-Ming Lim
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of knowledge workers on practice of knowledge management (POKM) as an organizational knowledge sharing enabler in an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of knowledge workers on practice of knowledge management (POKM) as an organizational knowledge sharing enabler in an information technology shared services company to understand issues faced and provide recommendations on different technological characteristics of the system.
Design/methodology/approach
The initial stage of the research involved a preliminary review of the existing knowledge management-related documents. This was followed by a top management interview to understand the organization’s business goals and knowledge management (KM) expectations. A total of 70 knowledge workers took part in the research activity. Twenty-five participants from nine departments took part in the preliminary interview, and 52 successful survey forms were collected from a total of 70 respondents. The entire investigation took close to nine months. Data compilation and research result analysis took about three months to complete.
Findings
The outcomes of the research show that the quality of POKM is stable, easy to use and organization of the content is rated as good. However, POKM has poor response time and search capability. The content is found to be difficult to locate in the POKM but most participants agree that knowledge stored in the POKM is helpful, can be accessed anytime and anywhere and useful for their day-to-day job. As for the user interface, POKM is not very pleasant to use with a weak set of functions and features. For user satisfaction toward POKM, it is shown that users are not satisfied with the efficiency and effectiveness of the systems. However, employees generally are satisfied with the ease of access, download and reuse of knowledge contains in POKM. In term of perceived POKM benefits, users agree that POKM is an enabler for acquiring new knowledge and innovative ideas, managing and storing knowledge and accomplishing tasks more efficiently. Lastly, knowledge users agree that POKM functions enable knowledge networking, sharing and creation in the organization.
Originality/value
POKM was launched and implemented for close to 10 years; however, the organization has failed to achieve some of the goals such as knowledge sharing among employees, creation of new skills and knowledge, measuring knowledge sharing activities and knowledge sharing strategy. The importance of this study is to understand and highlight the technological perspective of POKM from the knowledge workers. Findings will summarize issues faced by the case company for further action and remedy. The outcomes of the study also provide a comprehensive view and guideline to organizations who are interested to implement a KM system.
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Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi, Rebecca Reynolds and Ali Eshraghi
Personal knowledge management (KM) lends new emphasis to ways through which individual knowledge workers engage with knowledge in organizational contexts. This paper aims to go…
Abstract
Purpose
Personal knowledge management (KM) lends new emphasis to ways through which individual knowledge workers engage with knowledge in organizational contexts. This paper aims to go beyond an organizational approach to KM to examine key personal KM and knowledge building (KB) practices among adult professionals.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a summary of the findings from interviews with 58 consultants from 17 managing consulting firms. Participants were selected based on their knowledge-intensive roles and their willingness to share information about their knowledge practices. Data analysis was inductive and revealed multiple personal KM activities common among research participants, and the way these are supported by informal ties and various technologies.
Findings
This work highlights ways in which “shadow information technology” undergirds personal knowledge infrastructures and supports KM and KB practices in the context of management consulting firms. The results uncover how personal knowledge infrastructures emerge from personal KM and KB practices, and the role of informal social networks as well as social media in supporting personal KM and KB.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes an overall conceptual model of factors that help knowledge workers build a personal knowledge infrastructure. By affording an understanding of socially embedded personal KM activities, this work helps organizations create a balance between KM strategies at the organizational level and personal knowledge goals of individual workers.
Originality/value
Much of the previous research on KM adopts organizational approaches to KM, accentuating how organizations can effectively capture, organize and distribute organizational knowledge (primarily through KM systems).
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