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1 – 10 of 45Dorothy Njiraine and CJB Le Roux
The purpose of this paper is to show‐case how modern Knowledge Management Models, specifically that of Earl, can be applied to manage Indigenous Knowledge (IK).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show‐case how modern Knowledge Management Models, specifically that of Earl, can be applied to manage Indigenous Knowledge (IK).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is largely based on the review of both print and electronic resources.
Findings
Despite IK being tacit and marginalized it can indeed be managed by use of modern models just like modern knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
Validation poses a challenge and the future of IK will also be challenged unless stringent solutions are unveiled.
Practical implications
The paper suggests a number of ways in which IK can be managed using the contemporary KM models with specific attention to Earl's KM Taxonomy.
Originality/value
The paper shows how IK, a tacit knowledge, can go through the various KM processes of creation/production, storage, processing/codification, transfer and utilization successfully.
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The purpose of this study is to assess the application of knowledge management (KM) models in managing and integrating indigenous and exogenous knowledge for improved farming…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the application of knowledge management (KM) models in managing and integrating indigenous and exogenous knowledge for improved farming activities in Tanzania, by examining the management of indigenous knowledge (IK), access and use of exogenous knowledge, the relevance of policies, legal framework, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and culture in KM practices in the communities.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 181 farmers in six districts of Tanzania. Four IK policy makers were also interviewed.
Findings
The study demonstrated that western‐based KM models should be applied cautiously in a developing world context. Both indigenous and exogenous knowledge was acquired and shared in different contexts. IK was shared within a local, small and spontaneous network, while exogenous knowledge was shared in a wide context, where formal sources of knowledge focused on disseminating exogenous knowledge more than IK. Policies, legal framework, ICTs and culture determined access to knowledge in the communities. The study thus developed a KM model that would be applicable in the social context of developing countries.
Research limitations/implications
The study necessitates testing the developed model against existing KM models, in a specific context such as local communities of the developing world, to determine whether it is better at explaining the link between KM principles and KM processes.
Originality/value
The proposed KM model provides a deep understanding of the management and integration of agricultural indigenous and exogenous knowledge in the rural areas of developing countries. Previous KM models were developed in the context of an organizational environment, and thus failed to address the needs of rural communities. The proposed model thus advances the theory of KM in developing countries, and provides linkages between KM processes and KM principles.
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Rajib Shaw, Yukiko Takeuchi and Koichi Shiwaku
Among the above arguments, one of the most important issues is the rights-based approach. Disasters are often seen as humanitarian affairs, and DRR is usually not linked to the…
Abstract
Among the above arguments, one of the most important issues is the rights-based approach. Disasters are often seen as humanitarian affairs, and DRR is usually not linked to the “rights” issues in a proactive way. However, linking the child-centered DRR to a rights-based approach is new thinking, which needs further strengthening in its implementation through appropriate governance support. The “rights” referred to are the right for life, right to education, right to health, and right to participation. Built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions, the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a universally-agreed set of non-negotiable standards and obligations. These basic standards – also called human rights – set minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be respected by governments. With these rights comes the obligation of both governments and individuals not to infringe on the parallel rights of others. These standards are both interdependent and indivisible; we cannot ensure some rights without – or at the expense of – other rights. Therefore, it is important and necessary to link DRR to children's rights.
Abbas Rezaei Pandari and Adel Azar
The aim of this study is to present a model for service supply chain performance evaluation (SSCPE) based on fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM).
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to present a model for service supply chain performance evaluation (SSCPE) based on fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM).
Design/methodology/approach
Despite the unique nature of services, which distinguishes them from goods, the performance evaluation of service supply chains (SSCs) has still not received adequate attention from researchers or practitioners. With the help of in-depth interviews conducted with insurance industry experts in Iran, the performance measures of SSCs are defined, and the relevance between the performance measures, which are based upon the knowledge of experts in this field, are presented as a fuzzy cognitive map.
Findings
By blocking the aggregate map of experts, a model for SSCPE is developed that discusses performance measures and metrics of strategic, tactical and operational SSC processes, such as service-providing management, service-enabling management, market management, cash-flow management, customer-relationship management, supplier-relationship management, knowledge- and information-flow management and risk management. Indexes of FCM models indicate that the supply chain service quality and strategy blocks have the most importance compared with others.
Originality/value
The paper develops an original SSCPE model that can be used as a basis for SSC improvement and develops an excellence model for SSC.
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Sally Chepchirchir, Tom Kwanya and Alice Kamau
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the anchor of survival and stability for indigenous communities. The purpose of this study was to establish how the socioeconomic value of IK can be…
Abstract
Purpose
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the anchor of survival and stability for indigenous communities. The purpose of this study was to establish how the socioeconomic value of IK can be maximised in Kenya through effective enactment and implementation of relevant policies and legislation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a mixed methods research using a survey design. The target population comprised 104 top- and middle-level managers drawn from organisations implementing diverse IK policies and legislation. Primary data were collected from the target population using questionnaires. Additional data were collected using content analysis of IK policies and legislation. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of IBM’s Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 22) software.
Findings
The findings revealed a low awareness of the IK policies and legislation by the stakeholders. It also became evident that the policies and legislation relevant to IK are not implemented effectively. The authors conclude that policies and legislation do not maximise the socioeconomic value of IK in Kenya.
Originality/value
This is an original study which has practical implications for the use of IK for socioeconomic purposes. The findings of the study may be used to influence policy formulation and implementation; theory on IK; and practices which mainstream IK in socioeconomic activities in Kenya and beyond.
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Min-Jeng Shiue, Peng-Chia Chiu, Li-Chun Kuo and Shu-Ling Yeh
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between audit partners’ signing networks and accruals quality, using the sample of Taiwanese publicly traded companies.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the association between audit partners’ signing networks and accruals quality, using the sample of Taiwanese publicly traded companies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses four centrality measures as proxies in this study for the strength of the audit partners’ relationship networks and the absolute value of discretionary accruals to measure accruals quality.
Findings
Using the sample of publicly traded firms audited by the Big 4 accounting firms in Taiwan during the 2011–2017 period, this study finds that the centrality of an audit partner’s signing network is negatively associated with the absolute value of discretionary accruals. The result is robust to various discretionary accruals measures and survives the alternative explanation related to the endogenous matching between audit partners and their clients.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the understanding of the effect of the relationship network within an accounting firm on accruals quality. This is one of the few studies to empirically examine the strength of the audit partners’ relationship network as a factor in firms’ financial reporting quality, especially by using the sample from an emerging market. This study shows that the strength of the audit partners’ signing networks contains incremental information when assessing firms’ earnings quality. High-quality audit work is important to ensure high-quality financial reporting and the results of this study highlight that audit partners’ network linkages affect the quality of their work.
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This paper aims to explore the influence of a principal’s leadership in kicking off knowledge management (KM) implementation and the following KM processes in the school. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the influence of a principal’s leadership in kicking off knowledge management (KM) implementation and the following KM processes in the school. The author tries to propose a model of knowledge leadership for principals to adopt at the beginning of KM journey and during the process of KM implementation. The paper shares the lessons learned during the process of implementation: what he has done and what should be improved. Thus, this paper can provide a model for school principals to implement KM in their schools. This paper also sheds light for KM researchers about the issue of leadership during KM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an action research (AR) to explore how the principal’s leadership can enhance KM implementation in a school environment and evaluates the effectiveness of the knowledge leadership framework for KM implementation in a school setting. An insider AR methodology was adopted to study and reflect on the processes of KM implementation and lessons learned. Multiple data sources, including observations, questionnaires and interviews, have been collected for evaluation.
Findings
In this study, the principal kicked off KM in the school. It was found that KM “cannot” be implemented without the principal’s effective knowledge leadership. If there was only little KM leadership, such as the leadership in Stage 1, the launching of KM was found to be difficult. After awareness of the need of strengthening leadership in Stage 2, the principal exercised stronger leadership in pushing the KM process further, and the school had more obvious KM outcomes. Therefore, this study proves that leadership is essential for KM implementation, especially at the beginning of the KM processes. The principal acted as the knowledge leader with the roles of the knowledge vision builder, knowledge enabler builder and knowledge role model. The roles of knowledge leadership are found to be potent and critical for the process of KM implementation to facilitate sharing information/knowledge and nurturing a sharing culture and trust. In this study, the principal kicked off KM in the school. It was found that KM “cannot” be implemented without the principal’s effective knowledge leadership. If there was only little KM leadership, such as the leadership in Stage 1, launching KM was found to be difficult. After awareness of the need of strengthening leadership in Stage 2, the principal exercised stronger leadership in pushing the KM process further, and the school had more obvious KM outcomes. Therefore, this study proves that leadership is essential for KM implementation, especially at the beginning of the KM processes. The principal acted as the knowledge leader with the roles of knowledge vision builder, knowledge enabler builder and knowledge role model. The roles of knowledge leadership are found to be potent and critical for the process of KM implementation to facilitate sharing information/knowledge and nurturing a sharing culture and trust.
Research limitations/implications
Although the results of the study conducted in one school may not be generalized to other school contexts, the lessons learned in the study might be a reference to other schools for their future development. Because of his unique position as the principal in the researched school, the researcher adopted an insider approach generating value for investigation of KM implementation in this study, as there were multiple mediating processes through which leaders could influence school functioning, and, hence, knowledge sharing or other issues in KM implementation.
Practical implications
This study could contribute toward KM implementation in the public sector, especially in schools. Moreover, the approaches, the strategies, the processes and the challenges the principal and the school faced can shed light on practice and research for further KM implementation. In addition, although leadership has been commonly regarded as an important factor in KM implementation, few studies have explored the impact of leadership during the KM process. With the principal’s leadership as the main component, this study is important for an analysis of the role of leadership during the process. The framework of knowledge leadership adopted in this study has been tried and evaluated to be applicable and necessary for KM implementation in a school environment.
Social implications
Most people might think that KM can be applied only in the commercial sector. This study shows that KM can also be adopted in schools and in other sectors. Moreover, it shows that the principal’s leadership was the key driver for KM implementation. The principal’s leadership with clear direction and thoughtful procedures of implementing may be a showcase for the leaders in other sectors.
Originality/value
Fullan (2002) mentions the essence of KM in schools, the importance of principals’ leadership in the promotion of KM in schools, the moral purpose and knowledge sharing and leadership and sustainability, but he does not provide any practical suggestion for how principals can become knowledge leaders. Therefore, this paper hopes to further propose a model to show how to help a principal transform into a knowledge leader to overcome barriers and difficulties in kicking off KM at the beginning of their KM journey and during the process of KM implementation.
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Santosh Kumar Sahu, Saurav Datta and Siba Sankar Mahapatra
Supply chain performance (SCP) extent can be attributed as a function of multiple criteria/attributes. Most of the criterions/attributes being intangible in nature; SCP…
Abstract
Purpose
Supply chain performance (SCP) extent can be attributed as a function of multiple criteria/attributes. Most of the criterions/attributes being intangible in nature; SCP appraisement relies on the subjective judgment of the decision makers. Moreover, quantitative appraisement of SCP appears to be very difficult due to involvement of ill-defined (vague) performance measures as well as metrics. The purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient decision support system (DSS) to facilitate SCP appraisement, benchmarking and related decision making.
Design/methodology/approach
This study explores the concept of fuzzy logic in order to tackle incomplete and inconsistent subjective judgment of the decision makers’ whilst evaluating supply chain’s overall performance. Grey relational analysis has been adopted in the later stage to derive appropriate ranking of alternative companies/enterprises (in the same industry) in view of ongoing SCP extent.
Findings
In this work, a performance appraisement index system has been postulated to gather evaluation information (weights and ratings) in relation to SCP measures and metrics. Combining the concepts of fuzzy set theory, entropy, ideal and grey relation analysis, a fuzzy grey relation method for SCP benchmarking problem has been presented. First, triangular fuzzy numbers and linguistic evaluation information characterized by triangular fuzzy numbers have been used to evaluate the importance weights of all criteria and the superiority of all alternatives vs various criteria above the alternative level. Then, the concept of entropy has been utilized to solve the adjusted integration weight of all objective criteria above the alternative level. Moreover, using the concept of the grey ration grades, various alternatives have been ranked accordingly.
Originality/value
Finally, an empirical example of selecting most appropriate company has been used to demonstrate the ease of applicability of the aforesaid approach. The study results showed that this method appears to be an effective means for tackling multi-criteria decision-making problems in uncertain environments. Empirical data have been analysed and results obtained thereof, have been reported to exhibit application potential of the said fuzzy grey relation based DSS in appropriate situation.
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Given the ways in which the research pressures on university staff are becoming seemingly ever greater, an issue of the European Journal of Marketing that is given over to a…
Abstract
Given the ways in which the research pressures on university staff are becoming seemingly ever greater, an issue of the European Journal of Marketing that is given over to a survey of the kinds of research initiatives which are currently being carried out is timely. The study which provides the basis for this was conducted between December 1994 and February 1995, with questionnaires being sent to staff in universities throughout Europe. At the time the final selection was made, a total of 150 responses had been received from 18 countries.