Showing papers in "Vine in 2012"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the effect of interpersonal trust, team leader support, rewards, and knowledge sharing mechanisms on voluntary knowledge sharing in software development project teams in Sri Lanka.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of interpersonal trust, team leader support, rewards, and knowledge sharing mechanisms on voluntary knowledge sharing in software development project teams in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approach – Survey methodology was used and 150 software developers who were directly involved in developing and maintaining a software product from project teams responded. Regression analysis was used for data analysis.Findings – Interpersonal trust and rewards have significant positive effects on knowledge sharing. Although it was anticipated that the team leader support would be a significant predictor of knowledge sharing, the results did not provide evidence for a positive and significant relationship. “Work‐group communications” and “Personal interactions” had significant positive effects on knowledge sharing.Originality/value – It is expected that the findings of this study will provide useful information to better understand the predictors of the ex...
138 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a framework of the relationship between satisfaction of knowledge workers and organizational culture, developed in a previous theoretical study, within a specific industry, specifically, the pharmaceutical one, was tested by knowledge workers operating in the R&D business functions of each company over a two-month period during May and June 2009.
Abstract: Purpose – The objective of the paper is twofold: first, to test a framework of the relationship between satisfaction of knowledge workers and organizational culture, developed in a previous theoretical study, within a specific industry, specifically, the pharmaceutical one; second, to investigate which of the constructs that constitute such a framework are the most important in the above mentioned industry.Design/methodology/approach – In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, the authors adopted multiple case study based research. The case studies were carried out with a series of semi‐structured interviews, with all the knowledge workers operating in the R&D business functions of each company, over a two‐month period during May and June 2009.Findings – The main result of the research is the validation of the research framework by knowledge workers operating in the pharmaceutical industry. It emerged that a bureaucratic organizational culture has a negative influence on knowledge workers' job s...
70 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the role of organizational and technological resources as enablers or restraints of successful knowledge management processes, and the dynamics which link knowledge processes to value creation, the valuation of their impact on organizational performance, and some theoretical and managerial reasons explaining the importan...
Abstract: Purpose – Nowadays organizations have realized that knowledge, its effective use and the fast acquisition and utilization of new knowledge represent the only source of sustainable competitive advantage. In fact, an effective exploitation and management of knowledge resources are the basis of the development of those capabilities that ground the organization's capacity to deliver successfully targeted value propositions. During recent decades, there has been a growing interest in the processes of management of knowledge resources. Currently the debate on knowledge management processes is still lively. The dynamics which link knowledge processes to value creation, the valuation of their impact on organizational performance and the role of some organizational and technological resources as enablers or restraints of successful knowledge management emerge as relevant topics to be investigated. This introduction to the special issue aims to develop some theoretical and managerial reasons explaining the importan...
58 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the recent public sector initiatives launched by the American federal government and the European Union and examined if, and how, the Collective Intelligence Genome construct would apply to not for profit.
Abstract: Purpose – On the basis of the Collective Intelligence Genome framework, which was developed to describe private, for profit ventures, this study aims to review the recent public sector initiatives launched by the American federal government and the European Union. The study's goal is to examine if, and how, the Genome construct would apply to not for profit.Design/methodology/approach – This paper builds on an existing classification methodology for collective intelligence initiatives and extends it to pubic sector initiatives.Findings – The findings suggest that, although the framework offers a generally good fit, it does not fully address all the factors at play and the paper proposes expanding the gene pool. In addition, it confirms that Collective Intelligence initiatives do indeed co‐create value and conform to the emerging services dominant logic concept.Originality/value – With the growing success of profit motivated internet‐based collaborative ventures, including Innocentive, VenCorps, Threadless...
56 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the collaborative setting provided by social media applications enables sharing of different insights: combining mutual insights as well as discussing conflicting insights helps to form a more multifaceted and truthful understanding on issues.
Abstract: Purpose – The paper seeks to discuss how traditional knowledge refining processes differ from those enabled by using social media applications. By addressing the topic with practical examples the paper aims to outline how collaborative work setting and social media tools are used in refining unstructured and unmanaged knowledge for value adding purposes.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a conceptual analysis with reflections on current practices.Findings – The paper proposes that the collaborative setting provided by social media applications enables sharing of different insights: combining mutual insights as well as discussing conflicting insights helps to form a more multifaceted and truthful understanding on issues. Utilizing social media applications as collaborative tools also enriches information as it can also contain elements that are not predestined as in common business information systems. Social media applications empower employees to collaborate and contribute to intra‐organizational...
46 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new view on generations as "communities of knowledge" was introduced, and the authors focused on knowledge sharing between generations. But they did not consider the cultural, socio-professionality, and socio-economic characteristics of the generations.
Abstract: Purpose – Knowledge management (KM) has become a key concern for companies which nowadays are constantly looking for better ways to assure knowledge sharing between their employees. However, companies encounter several challenges arising from the fact that several generations share the same workplace and a big portion of today's employees are close to retirement. This article aims to focus on knowledge sharing between generations.Design/methodology/approach – The article reviews the “generation” concept and its limitations, and introduces a new view on generations as “communities of knowledge”.Findings – Companies have to find ways not only to assure knowledge transfer between generations, but also knowledge retention of the workers that are retiring. This requires a deeper understanding of the generations and their differentiated knowledge. Yet, today's dominant descriptions of generations (“baby‐boomers”, “generation X”, “generation Y”), do not appear to adequately take into account cultural, socio‐prof...
39 citations
TL;DR: It was found that it is impossible to find a right balance between exploration and exploitation using the communication structure of March's model, and a new agent‐based model of mutual learning within an organization is proposed.
Abstract: Purpose – The objective of this study is to model and analyze the exploration‐exploitation dynamics of March's model of mutual learning in a complex environment. By enhancing the above mentioned model, the paper seeks to propose a new agent‐based model of mutual learning within an organization.Design/methodology/approach – The paper replicates March's model of simulating learning within an organization using an agent‐based simulation approach, and extends it by modelling the problem space as a fitness landscape using Kauffman's NK model technique.Findings – It was found that it is impossible to find a right balance between exploration and exploitation using the communication structure of March's model.Practical implications – The proposed model could help create a virtual laboratory for experimenting organizations' behavior in a complex co‐evolving environment. This virtual laboratory may be used in the future to support the decision‐making process of managers and policy makers.Originality/value – Designi...
27 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a policy of voluntarism aiming at supporting innovation can be based on an operational process managing the evolution of the firm's intellectual corpus, becoming a tool for innovation.
Abstract: Purpose – Innovation within companies is becoming mandatory and vital. A policy of voluntarism aiming at supporting innovation can be based on an operational process managing the evolution of the firm's intellectual corpus, becoming a tool for innovation. This paper seeks to explain and demonstrate the link between knowledge management and innovation.Design/methodology/approach – The fundamental assumption is to regard knowledge creation as an intellectual corpus evolution process, based on knowledge workers' creativity. Their creativity is stimulated by the critical analysis of the intellectual corpus, which leads to the creation of new technologic trajectories in continuity or divergence from existing trajectories. Based on a systemic model of intellectual capital, the analysis of the dynamic of knowledge has shown that the increase of value of intellectual capital may be described as an evolutionist process.Findings – An experiment was conducted to validate the assumptions based on the analysis of the ...
24 citations
TL;DR: A conceptual framework identifying and differentiating how knowledge and technology transfer organizations (KTTOs) create value from how they capture and transfer value is developed.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework identifying and differentiating how knowledge and technology transfer organizations (KTTOs) create value from how they capture and transfer value.Design/methodology/approach – The argument of the paper is developed in two steps. First, the knowledge and technology transfer process is conceptualized as a value chain. Second, the internal KTTO's value chain perspective is extended by integrating the knowledge and technology transfer value chain into a business model conceptual perspective in order to emphasize the value captured by the clients of KTTOs. Then, the authors examine how KTTO managers could describe, benchmark and improve their business models by altering or reinforcing how they are positioned with respect to the interdependent elements of their business model. Finally, the elements of the conceptual framework are used to derive emblematic types of business models and provide exemplary cases for each emblematic case.Finding...
23 citations
TL;DR: The platform integrates an argument mapping tool with visual widgets with the objective of enhancing collective sense‐making and mutual understanding as well as to compensate for the costs of mediated communication in virtual collaborative environments.
Abstract: Purpose – In this paper the aim is to present Debate Dashboard, an online collaborative platform designed to support distributed knowledge management and decision making. The platform integrates an argument mapping tool with visual widgets with the objective of enhancing collective sense‐making and mutual understanding as well as to compensate for the costs of mediated communication in virtual collaborative environments.Design/methodology/approach – The design of Debate Dashboard is based on the theory of common ground according to which participants involved in a conversation build mutual understanding thanks to the exchange of different types of feedback. Using the concept of grounding cost, the authors identified several features of the Dashboard supposed to favour mutual understanding and knowledge sharing. Such features have been implemented through six visual widgets selected through a benchmarking of currently available visualization tools.Findings – The paper discusses the limitations and advantag...
20 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed how insurances can be used in the management of human capital risks in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through a qualitative case study of an insurance company.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how insurances can be used in the management of human capital risks. The issue is highlighted in the context of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – Building on literature on intellectual liabilities, the paper provides a comprehensive picture of human capital related risks, emphasising their effects on SMEs. The issue is analysed empirically through a qualitative case study of an insurance company.Findings – The paper divides the identified human capital risks into insurable and uninsurable risks, determining a specific insurance solution for each insurable risk. Based on the results, pension, accident, health, life, liability and crime insurances are the most useful types of insurances for the management of human capital risks.Research limitations/implications – The generalisability of the findings is limited by the methodological choice. As the study is conducted from the viewpoint of an insurance provider, it does not...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present empirical evidence on the relationships among intellectual capital, business environment, and global initiatives using a sample of firms located in Taiwan but competing in the global market.
Abstract: Purpose – The main purpose of this study is to explain a firm's global initiatives from the intellectual capital (IC) perspective.Design/methodology/approach – This study presents empirical evidence on the relationships among intellectual capital, business environment, and global initiatives using a sample of firms located in Taiwan but competing in the global market. Altogether 168 companies took part in the study.Findings – The findings have confirmed that intellectual capital is positively associated with a firm's global initiatives. There is also moderating effect of the business environment on the relationship between intellectual capital and global initiatives. The important role of intellectual capital is highlighted for firms intending to compete in the international arena. The importance of human capital (top management teams' visionary leadership) also increases as the environment becomes more dynamic.Originality/value – The dimensions and measures provided by this study might serve as a startin...
TL;DR: The analysis revealed that library podcasts have some basic features and are implemented for specific purposes, and revealed that adoption of podcast varies along the geographical regions.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the application of podcast in academic and public libraries, focusing on its purposes and characteristic features. It seeks to measure the degree of adoption of podcast in different types of libraries across the continents.Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis method was used for data collection. Convenience sampling method was followed to select four samples of population, one from each of the four continents. Data were collected along the checkpoints developed by Nguyen and Tripathi and Kumar, and subsequently modified by the researcher. Microsoft Excel was used to analyze data.Findings – The analysis revealed that library podcasts have some basic features and are implemented for specific purposes. It also revealed that adoption of podcast varies along the geographical regions. The study found that extension of implementation of podcast is high in North American libraries whereas intension of adoption of podcast is high in Austr...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the nature and logics of organizational learning considered as a process by which organizations capitalize on the variety of experiences accumulated by their members and identify the properties of the architecture supporting it.
Abstract: Purpose – This article aims to examine the nature and logics of organizational learning considered as a process by which organizations capitalize on the variety of experiences accumulated by their members.Design/methodology/approach – Complementing the current literature on experiential learning, the authors build on a case study to investigate how organizations benefit from action learning and seek to identify the properties of the architecture supporting it. The case study focuses on how French Air Force fighter and airlift aircrews carry out debriefing sessions in their daily activities.Findings – Within this framework, it can be observed that learning in debriefing sessions ultimately depends on the capacity of the learning agents to integrate individual and collective functions (namely, individual progression and collective performance).Originality/value – Building on the foregoing, the paper elaborates on a conceptual model of the debriefing procedure made up of three components: a learning mode, a ...
TL;DR: In this paper, a theoretical framework that examines the capacity of electronic open networks and closed interpersonal networks in building social capital and creating new knowledge was developed and tested in the academic community using a model that hypothesizes that open networks can impact structural and cognitive dimension of social capital but have less than a moderate effect on the relational dimension.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to develop and test a theoretical framework that examines the capacity of electronic open networks and closed interpersonal networks in building social capital and creating new knowledge. Specifically, this article aims to extend understanding in the field of knowledge management by examining how social networks can accumulate social capital and build up potential and absorptive capacity for the creation of new knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – The authors reviewed the literature on open electronic social networks and closed interpersonal networks, social capital and absorptive capacity to examine how different types of networks accumulate different dimensions of social capital and develop different measures of absorptive capacity. A model was developed that hypothesizes that open networks can impact the structural and cognitive dimension of social capital but have less than a moderate effect on the relational dimension. The model is tested in the academic community using a...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the state of the art of a rising French research community on knowledge management, who organized during the past four years, a French speaking congress (GeCSO).
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to present the state of the art of a rising French research community on knowledge management, who organized during the past four years, a French speaking congress (GeCSO). Interests in knowledge management (KM) come from various disciplines: economy, social, engineering. These interests are not often linked. Within the firms, KM practices vary a lot depending on national cultures and on activity sectors. However, one can identify a potential symmetry between the diversity of practices and the partitioning of scientific approaches. Design/methodology/approach – In order to synthesize the different approaches in KM, the authors studied the 62 papers published in the first three conferences. To have a first representation of the diversity, they analyzed the keywords that were used: among 173 keywords used by the authors, eight keywords represent 27 per cent of the total amount. Findings – Three main dimensions which emerged from the articles are analysed: the practical dimension, the epistemological point of view, and the intention to define a theory of action. Originality/value – KM is an emerging domain, especially in French culture. This paper can be seen as a first foundation of the domain, and also a manifesto to develop interdisciplinary research on this topic.
TL;DR: The role of information exchange influences the basic architecture of the product development process, which also affects the general theme of product customization, and the importance of information flow highlights the design architecture and brings flexibilities to the product developments.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate the importance of information management in modular product architecture for customized product development.Design/methodology/approach – The objective of this research is to analyze product architecture in terms of information exchange and show its influence in product customization. A case study is presented with a view to modelling the information tracking necessary for product architecture and customization.Findings – In today's volatile business environment, appropriate ways of information management could be an added value for manufacturing firms. This paper deals with the importance of information flow in product architecture. The role of information exchange influences the basic architecture of the product development process, which also affects the general theme of product customization.Research limitations/implications – The importance of information flow highlights the design architecture and brings flexibilities to the product development proce...
TL;DR: In this paper, a method of knowledge transfer in cognitive psychology is centered on the reflexive relationship between the expert and the tasks which he has to carry out, and a longitudinal evaluation of the method's effects was undertaken in several companies.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to provide evidence on the multilevel effects of a method of knowledge transfer centred on the expert.Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal evaluation of the method's effects was undertaken in several companies. This method of knowledge transfer in cognitive psychology is centered on the reflexive relationship between the expert and the tasks which he has to carry out. The analysis in clinical sociology show that the effects of such a method make it possible to observe organizational learning induced on the level of the expert, the group and the global strategy.Findings – Coding is conceived as an aid for the expert, it transforms the expert's knowledge and strengthens their professional legitimacy in transmission. The conceptualisation of their practices, as well as verbalising the problems which it causes, transforms work rules. These cognitive and organizational changes then have consequences on the conditions of negotiation for new business and business strategy.Resear...
TL;DR: A framework to analyze knowledge management tools and practices is developed and highlights the cognitive aspects of the word “knowledge” in cognitive sciences and in sciences of communication.
Abstract: Purpose – The sciences of knowledge and the sciences of communication have evolved to become two separate disciplines. The current transformations of technologies, managerial practices, and organization of work, force communication sciences to take into account issues related to cognition. Similarly, the science of knowledge needs to better consider the problems of context, economy and social environment, at a higher level of generalization than just those of individuals or groups. This paper seeks to present how both sciences can better integrate.Design/methodology/approach – Starting from an epistemological study of the use of the word “knowledge” in cognitive sciences and in sciences of communication, the authors developed a framework to analyze knowledge management tools and practices.Findings – The framework developed presents the organizational mechanisms for knowledge management in relation to the artifacts (objects) of communication through which they operate. It highlights the cognitive aspects p...
TL;DR: The author designed, developed, and validated a plug‐in concept for widely‐used enterprise content and collaboration portals that enable enterprises to capture knowledge efficiently within given organizational and ontological structures.
Abstract: Purpose – Collaborative ontology editing tools enable distributed user groups to build and maintain ontologies. Enterprises that use these tools to simply capture knowledge for a given ontological structure face the following problems: isolated software solution requiring its own user management; the user interface often does not provide a look‐and‐feel that is familiar to users; additional security issues; hard to integrate into existing electronic work flows; and additional deployment and training costs. This paper aims to investigate these issues.Design/methodology/approach – To address these problems, the author designed, developed, and validated a plug‐in concept for widely‐used enterprise content and collaboration portals. The prototype is implemented as a Microsoft SharePoint web part and was validated in the risk and compliance management domain.Findings – The research results enable enterprises to capture knowledge efficiently within given organizational and ontological structures. Considerable c...
TL;DR: In this article, the risks of wasting resources used by multinational firms (MNFs) when they establish or take over laboratories abroad were investigated. And the authors provided a few of the keys to success.
Abstract: Corporate R&D internationalization is today perceived as a strategy intended for enhancing the knowledge of large firms within a highly-polarized global cognitive space. Two main questions arise and, as such, are incorporated as the two complementary themes of this paper: What are the risks of wasting resources used by multinational firms (MNFs) when they establish or take over laboratories abroad ? What strategies do they apply to harmonize relations between their various R&D entities and, as such, help reduce these risks ? The analysis is developed from a base comprising international cases, established within the R&D laboratories of multinational firms. R&D internationalization strategies generate a great diversity of knowledge. Consequently, these MNFs should develop inter-entity management skills, for which the paper provides a few of the keys to success. The factors determining the effectiveness of the articulation of knowledge sharing systems were not really part of any systematic analysis. Such an analysis would have been an opportunity to specifically appraise this. The approach could indeed improve social interaction-related issues. The results may greatly add to social interaction theories by attempting, above all, to enhance "sender - receiver" type models, on a MNF network scale.
TL;DR: In this paper, the conditions of production of methodological knowledge on innovation management are evaluated in a case study of an applied research team working with practitioners of R&D by means of an inter-disciplinary research team in social sciences.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this research is to evaluate the conditions of production of methodological knowledge on innovation management. It seeks to present the experience of an applied research team working with practitioners of R&D by means of an inter‐disciplinary research team in social sciences. The theoretical framework aims to present two approaches for knowledge production: collaboration with practitioners and interdisciplinary research in social science.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is a case study focused on the various forms of collaborative research. While the literature mainly considers only one form of collaborative research, the author distinguishes between mono‐disciplinary and inter‐disciplinary collaborative research on one hand, and between mono‐partner and multi‐partner collaborative research on the other, leading to four typical research situations. The paper examines empirically the rigor‐relevance debate as seen as the researchers and the practitioners.Findings – The fin...
TL;DR: The study found three effective ways to utilize CAS by TOCs alerts and identified core journals for systems librarianship based on Bradford analysis.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to explore the effective ways to utilize current awareness services (CAS) for library and information science (LIS) professionals. It seeks to identify core journals for systems librarianship based on Bradford analysis.Design/methodology/approach – The study explored the methods for CAS based on literature review, followed by Bradford analysis of systems librarianship literature, which was conducted by the quantitative analysis approach.Findings – A core journal list for systems librarianship was built based on Bradford analysis. Three effective ways to utilize CAS by table of contents (TOCs) alerts were identified.Originality/value – To keep up to date with the latest literature in the field of interest, LIS professionals should take advantage of CAS. The study found three effective ways to utilize CAS by TOCs alerts and identified core journals for systems librarianship. The research can help LIS professionals efficiently navigate the information tsunami to obtain the reliable ...