Showing papers on "Tacit knowledge published in 2007"
TL;DR: A model of knowledge management is developed that builds on the interplay between articulated and tacit knowledge at four different levels: the individual, the small group, the organization, and the interorganizational domain and the alternative N-form is characterized and suggested as more appropriate.
Abstract: A model of knowledge management is developed. It builds on the interplay between articulated and tacit knowledge at four different levels: the individual, the small group, the organization, and the interorganizational domain. The model is applied on differences between Western and Japanese patterns of knowledge management. These are related to organizational characteristics, such as employment systems, career patterns, and organization structure. Effective knowledge management is argued to require departures from the logic of hierarchical organization and the M-form structure. The alternative N-form is characterized and suggested as more appropriate. It entails combination of knowledge rather than its division, which is the basic principle in the M-form. Other attributes of the N-form are: temporary constellations of people, the importance of personnel at 'lower levels', lateral communication, a catalytic and architectural role for top management, strategies aimed at focusing and economies of depth, and heterarchical structures. In recent discussions of needed foci for the analysis of corporate strategy and theories of the firm, two types of calls for a shift of emphasis are increasingly heard. First, the internal organization and management of firms are emphasized. Rumelt, Schendel and Teece (1991: 22) stress 'organizational capabilities, rather than productmarket positions or tactics, as the enduring source of advantage.' Nelson and Winter (1982: 135) posed the challenge of developing the subject of 'organizational genetics,' indicating that 'the real work remains to be done.' Almost a decade later, Nelson (1991) insists even more strongly that differences between individual firms constitute a core problem, and that analyses have to consider firm strategies, structures and core capabilities in greater depth. The emerging ideas are claimed to serve as a basis 'not only as a guide to management, but also as a basis for a
1,610 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of tacit knowledge sharing on business ethics and found that tacit knowledge-sharing is affected by distributive justice, procedural justice, and cooperativeness indirectly via organizational commitment.
Abstract: Tacit knowledge sharing discussed in this study is important in the area of business ethics, because an unwillingness to share knowledge that may hurt an organization’s survival is seen as being seriously unethical In the proposed model of this study, distributive justice, procedural justice, and cooperativeness influence tacit knowledge sharing indirectly via two mediators: organizational commitment and trust in co-workers Accordingly, instrumental ties and expressive ties influence tacit knowledge sharing indirectly only via the mediation of trust in co-workers The model is assessed by using data from different companies’ employees, who attend an evening college in Taiwan for advance study The test results of this study indicate that tacit knowledge sharing is affected by distributive justice, procedural justice, and cooperativeness indirectly via organizational commitment Additionally, tacit knowledge sharing is also affected by distributive justice, instrumental ties, and expressive ties via trust in co-workers The paths from procedural justice and cooperativeness to trust in co-workers are shown to be insignificant Managerial implications of the empirical findings are also provided
449 citations
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this article, the importance of knowledge transfer for international technology diffusion by examining ethnic scientific and entrepreneurial communities in the US and their ties to their home countries was explored by applying an ethnic-name database to individual patent records.
Abstract: This study explores the importance of knowledge transfer for international technology diffusion by examining ethnic scientific and entrepreneurial communities in the US and their ties to their home countries. US ethnic research communities are quantified by applying an ethnic-name database to individual patent records. International patent citations con.rm knowledge diffuses through ethnic networks, and manufacturing output in foreign countries increases with an elasticity of 0.1-0.3 to stronger scientific integration with the US frontier. To address reverse-causality concerns, reduced-form specifications exploit exogenous changes in US immigration quotas. Consistent with a model of sector reallocation, output growth in less developed economies is facilitated by employment gains, while more advanced economies experience sharper increases in labor productivity. The ethnic transfer mechanism is especially strong in high-tech industries and among Chinese economies. The findings suggest channels for transferring codified and tacit knowledge partly shape the effective technology frontiers of developing and emerging economies.
429 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that the GOM version II can be used not only to support the development of educational computer games but to provide a mechanism to evaluate the use of computer games in the classroom.
Abstract: Complex computer and video games may provide a vehicle, based on appropriate theoretical concepts, to transform the educational landscape. Building on the original game object model (GOM) a new more detailed model is developed to support concepts that educational computer games should: be relevant, explorative, emotive, engaging, and include complex challenges; support authentic learning activities that are designed as narrative social spaces where learners are transformed through exploration of multiple representation, and reflection; be gender-inclusive, include non-confrontational outcomes, and provide appropriate role models; develop democracy, and social capital through dialogue that is supported by means of computer mediated-communication tools; and include challenges, puzzles or quests, which form the core of the learning process, where access to explicit knowledge, conversations, and reflection results in the construction of tacit knowledge. It is argued that the GOM version II can be used not only to support the development of educational computer games but to provide a mechanism to evaluate the use of computer games in the classroom.
294 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine differences in the research approaches of farmers and scientists and analyzes how these differences are related to the conditions under which both groups engage in experimental work.
Abstract: This article examines differences in the research approaches of farmers and scientists and analyzes how these differences are related to the conditions under which both groups engage in experimental work. Theoretical considerations as well as practical experiences are presented to emphasize the great potential of farmer–researcher collaboration for rural innovation. In the first part of the article, the innovative power of farmer research and experimentation is acknowledged by presenting examples such as crop and animal breeding, development of new production systems, farm equipment, and social innovations. Considering the respective comparative advantages of farmers and scientists, and inspired by theoretical concepts in the fields of knowledge management and innovation processes, we discuss five topics for optimizing the collaboration between farmers and scientists in the field of technological innovation: user orientation, decentralization, informal modes of experimentation, externalization of tacit knowledge, and economic considerations. A better understanding of such issues could help researchers to define their own role in the research process, acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of their own and farmers’ research approaches, overcome communication gaps, and find creative solutions for problems that typically occur in the process of participatory technology development.
245 citations
TL;DR: What do you do to start reading complex knowledge studies in organizational epistemology?
Abstract: What do you do to start reading complex knowledge studies in organizational epistemology? Searching the book that you love to read first or find an interesting book that will make you want to read? Everybody has difference with their reason of reading a book. Actuary, reading habit must be from earlier. Many people may be love to read, but not a book. It's not fault. Someone will be bored to open the thick book with small words to read. In more, this is the real condition. So do happen probably with this complex knowledge studies in organizational epistemology.
212 citations
TL;DR: The labour and knowledge intensive nature of the construction industry is revealed and the importance and the significant role of people factor and tacit knowledge in construction is highlighted.
Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of tacit knowledge in construction and to underline the significant contribution of tacit knowledge towards the organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach - Includes a review of literature on principal insights of dominant views on knowledge and organisational resources to highlight the strategic nature of tacit knowledge. Further, intrinsic characteristics of the construction industry are discussed to underline the people factor and the role of the tacit knowledge. Findings - Valuable human and knowledge resources will be wasted unless organisations make better use of these prime resources. Tacit knowledge in particular is still considered to be relatively unexplored and proper understanding and management of this resource are of immense importance for better organisational performance. In this context, this paper reveals the labour and knowledge intensive nature of the construction industry and highlights the importance and the significant role of people factor and tacit knowledge in construction. Originality/value - Owing to paucity of literature and inadequate empirical research done, this paper provides the basis for more empirical research on finding importance of tacit knowledge towards organisational performance in the construction industry.
195 citations
TL;DR: The definition and conception of tacit knowledge in existing peer reviewed literature is critically examined and how research agendas can be established to clarify understanding for praxis is suggested.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the definition and conception of tacit knowledge in existing peer reviewed literature and to suggest how research agendas can be established to clarify understanding for praxis.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology involved an in‐depth literature review of tacit knowledge as part of the knowledge management discourse.Findings – There is considerable disagreement in the literature over the definition and role of tacit knowledge in management studies and organizations. These polemics are reflected in a lack of systematic research agendas being established. Conversely the more meta level concept of knowledge management has been the subject of an increasing amount of research. However, it is suggested that an improved understanding of tacit knowledge is needed to underpin and further develop the knowledge management discourse. From the literature the concept of tacit knowing is advanced as a means for establishing research agendas and improv...
184 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors measured the growth of new knowledge in nanotechnology, as measured by counts of articles and patents in the open-access digital library NanoBank, and found that the level of federal funding has a large, robust impact on both publication and patenting.
175 citations
TL;DR: An in‐depth analysis of one large government department's use of knowledge management, which has not been studied before, finds that knowledge management and knowledge sharing were welcome ideas in the Hong Kong government department.
Abstract: Purpose – The paper seeks to investigate how culture, attitudes and barriers affect knowledge sharing in a Hong Kong government department.Design/methodology/approach – Interviews and survey instruments were used to collect data for qualitative analysis.Findings – Knowledge management and knowledge sharing were welcome ideas in the Hong Kong government department. Informal and tacit knowledge sharing took place but the Chinese culture remained as a barrier to knowledge sharing.Research limitations/implications – As this is a study of one government department in one particular country, the findings may not be sufficiently generalizable.Practical implications – Senior management in the public administration sector should be made more aware of what knowledge management can do to help improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness.Originality/value – The study is an in‐depth analysis of one large government department's use of knowledge management, which has not been studied before. This study and its f...
166 citations
TL;DR: The self‐efficacy model serves as a useful framework for better understanding the effects of context on tacit knowledge sharing and the Open Source community may provide an ideal set of subjects to whom the model can be applied.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply the self‐efficacy model to compare knowledge‐sharing activities in the Open Source community versus those in a traditional organization.Design/methodology/approach – Current literature on tacit knowledge sharing and information about the Open Source community is synthesized in the study with research concerning self‐efficacy formation. The knowledge‐sharing literature is applied in the paper to the self‐efficacy model.Findings – Through a synthesis of different streams of literature, the paper concludes that the self‐efficacy model serves as a useful framework for better understanding the effects of context on tacit knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it is concluded that the Open Source community may provide an ideal set of subjects to whom the model can be applied.Research limitations/implications – Only propositions are offered, and the conclusions are suggestions for future research. The self‐efficacy model has been successfully applied to other areas of res...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the acquisition of tacit and explicit marketing knowledge from foreign partners in international joint ventures, based on a literature review, a number of antecedents are identified and a model is tested using data obtained from 219 IJVs in Vietnam.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, a survey of 287 employees in five hospitals provides support for their hypotheses, and their results were consistent across three administrative levels: hospital administrators, nursing directors, and staff nurses.
Abstract: Many researchers have written that knowledge is the key ingredient in gaining a competitive advantage (e.g., Gnyawali et al., 1997; Kogut and Zander, 1992) and that knowledge is a firm's main inimitable resource (Grant, 1996b). One important implication of this research is that in order for firms to maximize the competitive advantage arising from knowledge, knowledge must be effectively transferred within organizations. What is absent in the literature, however, is information on how organizations accomplish this task (Spender and Grant, 1996). While the importance of research on knowledge sharing has been well documented (e.g., Dodgson, 1993), very little empirical research exists that offers practical guidelines for organizations seeking to manage the knowledge transfer process. Research on knowledge transfer in organizations has been conducted from a variety of theoretical perspectives including individual psychology, strategic management, and organization theory. The psychology literature has focused on individual knowledge transfer processes and outcomes, such as how task experience affects performance on other tasks or the extent and accuracy of recall (Argote et al., 2000). In contrast, the strategy literature has focused on organizational outcomes like firm success and competitive advantage (e.g., Grant, 1996b; Zander and Kogut, 1995). Zander and Kogut (1995) have shown that increasing degrees of knowledge codifiability and teachability speed knowledge transfer. Organization theory researchers have been concerned with organization forms and how they affect the knowledge transfer process (Darr et al., 1995; Argote et al., 2000). What ties these diverse approaches together is the belief that knowledge transfer within organizations is a key component of organizational learning, a topic that is also the focus of considerable attention (Dodgson, 1993). In this research we propose that one way organizations manage the knowledge-sharing process is to select appropriate communication media for the property or type of knowledge to be transferred. Our survey of 287 employees in five hospitals provides support for our hypotheses, and our results were consistent across three administrative levels: hospital administrators, nursing directors, and staff nurses. Communication media classified as having low-media richness were most likely to be chosen to share information or explicit knowledge, whereas media classified as having high-media richness were most likely to be chosen to transfer know-how or tacit knowledge (Daft and Lengel, 1986; Grant, 1996b; Nonaka, 1991). In the next sections we discuss the literature that addresses knowledge and knowledge transfer, and develop our hypotheses by building on the strategic management and organization theory literatures. We then present the methods and results of our empirical analysis, followed by a discussion section that addresses the implications of our study for both researchers and managers. Finally, we conclude with a summary of the overall study, limitations, and directions for future research. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND Knowledge and Knowledge Transfer Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, both researchers and practitioners (e.g., Desenberg, 2000; Govindarajan and Fisher, 1990; Kogut and Zander, 1992; Narasimha, 2000; Zander and Kogut, 1995) have discussed the importance of knowledge transfer within organizations. The idea that knowledge transfer is necessary to an organization's success has become the focal point of strategy and the strategic planning process (Liebeskind, 1996). Knowledge has emerged as the most strategically significant resource of the firm (Grant, 1996b). Knowledge may be defined as information whose validity has been established through test of proof and can therefore be distinguished from opinion, speculation, beliefs, or other types of unproven information (Liebeskind, 1996). This definition of knowledge consists of two primary classifications: information (explicit knowledge) and know-how (tacit knowledge) (Nonaka, 1991; Simmonds et al. …
TL;DR: In this article, a multi-level approach to understand the role of migrants in knowledge exchanges is presented, starting from the assumption that all tacit knowledge transactions are socially situated, although these are understood as interfolded rather than as discrete sites of analysis.
Abstract: There has been limited research on the role of international migration in the transfer of tacit knowledge, as opposed to skills and capital. In part, this results from lack of engagement between research on migration and that on knowledge and learning, even in debates concerning the relative importance of distanciated versus localised knowledge transfers. However, positioning international migration in relation to the literature on knowledge management opens up new perspectives on its role in the overall transfer of knowledge in the economy. Starting from the premise that all tacit knowledge transactions are socially situated, this paper sets out a multi-level approach to understanding the role of migrants in knowledge exchanges. The national, the urban and the firm constitute key levels in this analysis, although these are understood as inter-folded rather than as discrete sites of analysis.
TL;DR: The purpose of the study was to analyze the characteristics of the Janus-faced nature of the appropriability regime and to focus on issues that have been overlooked so far by reviewing previous research and providing empirical evidence from Finnish industry.
TL;DR: In this paper, a theoretical framework suggests that strategic modularization may help improve a firm's positional advantage by reducing the cost of managing tacit knowledge and influencing the nature of relationships with major suppliers, further blurring the boundaries of the firm.
Abstract: Our paper focuses on how foreign automobile manufacturers in Brazil have implemented and benefited from strategic modularization. Based on our case studies and in-depth interviews, we developed a theoretical framework to examine the antecedents and outcomes of strategic modularization. Our theoretical framework suggests that strategic modularization may help improve a firm's positional advantage by reducing the cost of managing tacit knowledge. In addition, the adoption of strategic modularization influences the nature of relationships with major suppliers, further blurring the boundaries of the firm.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is through sustained interaction with language lecturers that disciplinary specialists are able to make their tacit knowledge of the literacy practices and discourse patterns of their disciplines, explicit, and the findings suggest that higher education needs to create discursive spaces for the collaboration of language Lecturers and disciplinary specialists.
Abstract: This paper explores the process that occurred among a group of academics at a tertiary institution, as they worked collaboratively over a three-year period in an attempt to situate the teaching of academic literacies within the mainstream curricula of various disciplines of study. The study draws on interview and focus group data, which were produced, using narrative methods such as stimulated recall, free writing and visual representations. Framed by New Literacy Studies and Rhetorical Studies theory, and drawing on the data from participating academics, the paper explicates a model for the process of integrating academic literacies into disciplines. The unfolding model presents factors to be considered when designing integrated approaches to the teaching of academic literacies, and the findings suggest that higher education needs to create discursive spaces for the collaboration of language lecturers and disciplinary specialists. The paper concludes that it is through sustained interaction with language lecturers that disciplinary specialists are able to make their tacit knowledge of the literacy practices and discourse patterns of their disciplines, explicit. Such collaboration enables both language lecturers and disciplinary specialists to shift towards a critical understanding of the teaching of discipline-specific academic literacies.
TL;DR: To overcome the perpetual elusiveness of tacit knowledge is presented a framework that could help highlight dimensions of tacitknowledge that can be mobilized and observed through the manifestation of different behaviour.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate the problems of managing tacit knowledge and the importance of unlearning it. As the main problem of managing tacit knowledge lies in the fact that it escapes observation and measurement, an adequate framework that would make some dimensions of tacit knowledge visible has to be developed.Design/methodology/approach – On the basis of literature surveys the authors discuss several types of knowledge and issues related to sharing, learning and, most importantly, unlearning obsolete tacit knowledge dimensions.Findings – To overcome the perpetual elusiveness of tacit knowledge is presented a framework that could help highlight dimensions of tacit knowledge that can be mobilized and observed through the manifestation of different behaviour. It is partly possible to make explicit some dimensions of tacit knowledge that not only contribute to successful sharing and mutual learning, but also enable the identification of those parts of knowledge that hinder innovati...
TL;DR: By analyzing the "life stages" of data in four academic projects, it is shown that these requirements create difficulties for disciplines where tacit knowledge and craft-like methods are deeply embedded in researchers, as well as for disciplines producing non-digital heterogeneous data or data derived from people rather than from material phenomena.
Abstract: One key feature of e-science is to encourage archiving and release of data so that they are available in digitally-processable forms for re-use almost from the point of collection This assumes particular processes of translation by which data can be made visible in transportable and intelligible forms It also requires mechanisms by which data quality and provenance can be trusted once "disconnected" from their producers By analyzing the "life stages" of data in four academic projects, we show that these requirements create difficulties for disciplines where tacit knowledge and craft-like methods are deeply embedded in researchers, as well as for disciplines producing non-digital heterogeneous data or data derived from people rather than from material phenomena While craft practices and tacit knowledges are a feature of most scientific endeavors, some disciplines currently appear more inclined to attempt to formalize or at least record these knowledges We discuss the implications this has for the e-science objective of widespread data re-use
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the barriers that exist in sharing knowledge in an academic environment and identified the mechanisms that may help in encouraging knowledge sharing in an educational setting. But, most organizations tend to over-emphasize on systems and tools, rather than on the core component that is knowledge sharing within the organization.
Abstract: As the world moves towards a “knowledge based economy”, knowledge is increasingly being considered as the main driver of this economy The success of economies in the future shall be based on how companies or organizations acquire, use, and leverage knowledge effectively However, most organizations tend to over-emphasize on systems and tools, rather than on the core component that is knowledge sharing within the organization Knowledge sharing is vital in knowledge-based organizations such as universities, since the majority of the employees are knowledge workers In an educational set up, effective knowledge sharing ensures that academics are able to realize and develop their potential to the fullest Educational institutions play a key role in knowledge creation The tacit knowledge that academic staff creates or gains is embedded in their minds and constitutes the storehouse of an educational institution’s intellectual capital This paper focuses on knowledge sharing activities among academic staff in Business Schools in the Klang Valley With the help of a survey-based methodology, this paper examines the barriers that exist in sharing knowledge in an academic environment An attempt is made to identify the mechanisms that may help in encouraging knowledge sharing
TL;DR: A detailed investigation was made of how PPRs are conducted, and the type of learning that can result, and it is shown that participants in the discussions at P PRs often use metaphors and stories, which indicates that PPR’s have the potential to generate tacit knowledge.
TL;DR: In this article, the focus is on how firms in a cutting-edge cultural industry, namely architectural design in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, can exchange knowledge by using in-depth interviews with the main players in this field.
Abstract: Innovation thrives on the face-to-face exchange of tacit knowledge In this article, the focus is on how firms in a cutting-edge cultural industry, namely architectural design in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, can exchange knowledge By using in-depth interviews with the main players in this field, I have explored different conduits for the exchange of knowledge These conduits turned out to be rather different than was expected: the importance of the individual signature creates high walls between firms and no projectbased organizations were found Instead, the spin-offs, the highly mobile labour pool and the dedicated institutions function as bridges for knowledge exchange
TL;DR: It is shown that tacit knowledge comes in two distinct types, with different causes and consequences, the first of which has to do with the limitations of the human body and brain and has no consequences for encoding knowledge into machines.
Abstract: The idea of tacit knowledge plays an important role in many areas of academic debate, not least automation and its role in management. Here it is shown that tacit knowledge comes in two distinct types, with different causes and consequences. The first kind, ‘somatic-limit tacit knowledge’, has to do with the limitations of the human body and brain and has no consequences for encoding knowledge into machines. The second kind, ‘collective tacit knowledge’, is more ‘ontological’ than biological, having to do with its location in the social collectivity. Here the human body and brain’s unique capacity gives it special access to the tacit knowledge; known and foreseeable machines do not have this capacity.
28 Apr 2007
TL;DR: The findings suggest that BlogCentral facilitates access to tacit knowledge and resources vetted by experts, and contributes to the emergence of collaboration across a broad range of communities within the enterprise.
Abstract: This paper describes a preliminary investigation into an internal corporate blogging community called BlogCentral. We conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen active bloggers to investigate the role of blogging and its effects on work processes. Our findings suggest that BlogCentral facilitates access to tacit knowledge and resources vetted by experts, and, most importantly, contributes to the emergence of collaboration across a broad range of communities within the enterprise.
TL;DR: In this paper, a more precise definition of "tacit knowledge" and a clear conceptualization of codification are proposed, and the issue of codifiability cannot be adequately addressed without accounting for these differences.
Abstract: In the last years, a “codification debate” has developed among economists concerning the meaning and the empirical relevance of “tacit knowledge.” As this debate seems to have reached an impasse, we suggest a solution to take it a step further that is based on a more precise definition of “tacit knowledge” and a clear conceptualization of codification. Moreover, as different types of tacit knowledge can be characterized, we also proceed to demonstrate that the issue of codifiability cannot be adequately addressed without accounting for these differences.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed university patenting and academic mobility based on information in the PatVal database on European inventors in six European countries and found that university participation in patenting activity is grossly underestimated when assessed on ownership exclusively.
Abstract: This paper analyses university patenting and academic mobility based on information in the PatVal database on European inventors in six European countries. We show that university participation in patenting activity is grossly underestimated when assessed on ownership exclusively: university-owned patents account for only 15% of patents with at least one academic inventor. Academic mobility is unevenly distributed across technologies (most is in biomedics) and across countries (mainly the UK, Germany and the Netherlands). Descriptive evidence highlights the high levels of patenting and mobility of UK academic inventors. We analyse labour mobility from academia to business. Multinomial models show the presence of a strong individual life cycle effect on mobility. Moreover, there are important differences in what determines mobility towards other universities or businesses. Inventors with more valuable patents, which embody more tacit knowledge, are more likely to go to private organisations. Scientific productivity has no impact on the probability of moving.
TL;DR: It is shown that the machine only mimics the mechanical counterpart of just a few of certain special kinds of human bread-making actions, and the contributions of other human actors, who are not needed in the case of the master baker, explain why the machine and its manual do work.
Abstract: We analyse Nonaka and Takeuchi's (1995) claim that a master baker's tacit knowledge was made explicit and incorporated into a home bread-making machine and its manual — the `knowledge capture' thesis. In order to test the claim, bread was made without and with a breadmaker and we carried out an analysis of the bread-making actions before and after mechanization. Based on the theory of action morphicity (Collins and Kusch 1998) it is shown that the machine only mimics the mechanical counterpart of just a few of certain special kinds of human bread-making actions. The remaining success of the machine and its manual is due to what other human actors bring to the mechanical bread-making scene; this way the breadmaker can be an adequate social prosthesis. Action mimicking, action substitution, and the contributions of these other human actors, who are not needed in the case of the master baker, explain why the machine and its manual do work. It is not a matter of the explication or incorporation of tacit knowledge, but of fitting a social prosthesis into a rearranged world.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the particular position of established organizations, which are faced with the necessity to explore new and tacit knowledge, while simultaneously exploiting existing competitive advantages depending on their existing knowledge and skills.
Abstract: Considering the strategic importance of knowledge building as the roots of any radical innovation, this paper focuses on the particular position of established organizations, which are faced with the necessity to explore new and tacit knowledge, while simultaneously exploiting existing competitive advantages depending on their existing knowledge and skills. To manage this paradox, established organizations can find help in partnerships with explorative organizations complementing their exploitative core competencies. With the well-known Lotka-Volterra system, I propose a simple model to demonstrate that a predation relationship is the most relevant to acquire new knowledge from partners and thus allow radical innovation.
TL;DR: The results of the paper should influence succession planning, human capital strategy, and knowledge management efforts in edge‐like organizations.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper seeks to investigate how cross‐generational biases affect tacit knowledge transfer and resulting knowledge flows in edge organizations.Design/methodology/approach – The paper applied hypothesis testing χ2s, as well as ethnographic analysis.Findings – Cross‐generational biases affect tacit knowledge transfer and resulting knowledge flows in edge‐like organizations. Other factors, such as trust, loyalty, work ethics, and family values, also affect knowledge flows.Research limitations/implications – Sample size should be increased for future work, as well as applying the results in a defense/military environment.Practical implications – The results of the paper should influence succession planning, human capital strategy, and knowledge management efforts in edge‐like organizations.Originality/value – The work is quite novel as it integrates inter‐generational differences, tacit knowledge transfer, and knowledge flows in edge organizations.
TL;DR: An ecological and a Web 2.0 perspective of e-learning provides new ways of thinking about how people learn with technology and also how new learning opportunities are offered by new technology.
Abstract: An ecological and a Web 2.0 perspective of e-learning provides new ways of thinking about how people learn with technology and also how new learning opportunities are offered by new technology. These perspectives highlight the importance of developing connections between a wide variety of learning resources, containing both codified and tacit knowledge. New adaptive technology has the potential to create personalized, yet collective, learning. The future implications for e-learning in medical education is considered.