Este trabalho propõe uma sistemática para identificação de oportunidades de melhorias na Transferência de Conhecimentos (TC) entre projetos de produto. A proposta da sistemática fundamenta-se nas necessidades atuais das empresas de aproveitarem os conhecimentos gerados nos diferentes projetos de desenvolvimento de produto. A sistemática focaliza-se nos problemas de TC, denominados de barreiras de TC, e analisa quais mecanismos de TC, compostos por ferramentas e práticas de desenvolvimento de produtos, podem ser utilizados para reduzir os efeitos dessas barreiras de TC. Para isso, o trabalho contempla 4 fases principais compostas por: (i) diagnóstico preliminar da situação atual da TC; (ii) análise e priorização das barreiras de TC; (iii) análise e priorização dos mecanismos de TC e (iv) análise e priorização do portfólio de melhorias da TC. Com base nessas fases, analisam-se quais mecanismos de TC existentes na empresa podem ser melhorados, assim como os novos mecanismos de TC que podem ser implantados para minimizar os efeitos das barreiras de TC. Dessa maneira, obtém-se um portfólio de projetos de melhorias cuja ordem de implantação é priorizada de acordo com critérios tais como: necessidade de investimento, riscos técnicos, necessidade de pessoas capacitadas e impacto organizacional. Como principais resultados, esta dissertação apresenta: (i) a construção de um modelo descritivo, baseado no levantamento bibliográfico, que interpreta os relacionamentos entre os diferentes fatores intervenientes na TC; (ii) a construção de instrumentos para o levantamento dos dados no estudo de diagnóstico e (iii) um conjunto de matrizes para a análise e priorização das informações levantadas no diagnóstico. A sistemática foi aplicada em uma empresa do setor de máquinas agrícolas, cuja finalidade foi avaliar a proposta e discutir os resultados obtidos. / This work proposes a method for improvement opportunities identification in the interproduct projects Knowledge Transfer (KT). This proposal is based on enterprise’s needs for generated knowledge reuse of product development projects. The method is focused on the KT problems. And it analyses which product development practices and tools, named mechanism, can be used to reduce problems effects. The proposed method presents 4 principal phases: (i) enterprise KT situation diagnostic; (ii) KT barriers analysis and prioritization; (iii) KT mechanisms analysis and prioritization, and (iv) KT improvement portfolio analysis and prioritization. Based on these phases, the method analyses which KT mechanisms can be improved and which others new mechanisms can be implemented to improve the inter-project KT. So, it is obtained an improvement projects portfolio whose ranking is organized and prioritized according to many criteria, as: investment needs, technical risks, trained people’s needs and organizational impact. As principal results, this work presents: (i) a literature revision-based descriptive model, analyzing different factors relationships for KT; (ii) a data collection tools for diagnostic study and (iii) a conjoint of matrixes for collected information analysis and prioritization. The proposal method was applied in an agricultural machinery manufacturing company. This application evaluated the proposed method use and enabled the results discussion.

Esta tese fundamenta-se na necessidade que as empresas têm de aproveitarem os conhecimentos gerados nos projetos de produto de maneira que possam ser reutilizados em novos projetos a serem desenvolvidos, reduzindo assim esforços de desenvolvimento e melhorando o potencial inovador das equipes de produtos. Neste sentido, assume-se que existem fatores próprios do processo de desenvolvimento de produtos que podem ajudar a incentivar a TC. Porém muitos desses fatores e suas relações com outros fatores são pouco aprofundadas na literatura acadêmica. Em razão disso, esta tese propõe desenvolver um modelo para o incentivo da transferência de conhecimentos (TC) entre equipes de desenvolvimento de produto baseado na explicação das relações existentes entre os diversos fatores que influenciam a TC. A proposta desta tese está baseada em uma abordagem de pesquisa que combina aspectos qualitativos (como grupos focados, entrevistas e estudos de caso) e quantitativos (como pesquisas survey com análise multivariada de dados) aplicados em diferentes empresas (cerca de 80 nas etapas de levantamento e cinco nas etapas de aprofundamento). Por meio da utilização desses métodos obtiveram-se os seguintes resultados: (i) a proposição de um novo modelo para as etapas do processo da TC, baseado no estudo comparativo dos modelos existentes na literatura, que ajuda a entender como ocorre a TC desde o momento em que um conhecimento é reconhecido como útil para outros projetos até o momento em que o mesmo é aplicado em um novo projeto; (ii) a construção de uma taxonomia que classifica os fatores da TC em diferentes categorias, ajudando a entender melhor como os mesmos estão organizados; (iii) o estudo das características do contexto das empresas que define a prioridade que estas atribuem aos diferentes fatores da TC; (iv) a proposição de um modelo para os relacionamentos entre os fatores, que explica de maneira sistêmica a interação que ocorre entre os mesmos e (v) a proposição de um modelo para o relacionamento entre os fatores e as etapas da TC, que explica quais fatores agem de maneira direta ou indireta sobre as diferentes etapas da TC. Do ponto de vista acadêmico, os resultados ajudam a expandir o entendimento teórico sobre a TC no desenvolvimento de produtos, seguindo a corrente teórica da inovação contínua; e (ii) do ponto de vista profissional, os resultados permitem direcionar ações de melhoria da TC entre projetos, focalizando especificamente nas necessidades particulares de cada empresa. / This thesis proposes a model to foster knowledge transfer (KT) between new product development (NPD) teams. This proposal is based on companies’ need for taking advantage of knowledge generated in prior product projects by reusing it in new projects, thus reducing development efforts and improving team innovativeness. In this sense, this thesis assumes that there are organizational factors that present a general pattern of behavior and that can help to foster KT in NPD. However, an important challenge is to understand how these factors influence KT. Thus, the proposed model explains the relationships that exist among KT influence factors, as well as the relationships between these factors and the KT process stages. Furthermore, this thesis studies such relationships given different companies’ characteristics. This proposal is based on a mix-method research approach by combining qualitative studies (e.g. focus group, individual interviews, and study cases) and quantitative studies (e.g. surveys with multivariate data analysis) applied to different companies (circa 80 in the survey stage and five in the case studies). The following results were obtained, which contributed to the general proposal of the thesis: (i) a new model that explains KT process stages, based on a comparative study of prior models proposed in the academic literature; (ii) a taxonomy for KT influence factors; (iii) an analysis of firm contextual characteristics that help define the influence factors priorities; (iv) a model that explains the relationships among KT influence factors; and (v) a model that explains the relationship between KT influence factors and KT process stages. Considering these results, two main contributions of this thesis are highlighted: (i) from the academic point of view, results obtained help to extend the theoretical understanding about KT in NPD, based on the continuous innovation theoretical stream; (ii) from the practical point of view, results obtained allow to guide KT improvement in NPD, focusing on the specific needs of each company.

A presente pesquisa analisa os dificultadores na transferência de conhecimento organizacional entre países com ênfase na atuação de Recursos Humanos Internacional, tendo como base uma multinacional sediada no Brasil. Para atender a esse propósito, o trabalho fundamenta sua teoria em três pilares: 1) os processos de globalização e de internacionalização, 2) a gestão do conhecimento organizacional e 3) o papel de Recursos Humanos Internacional, partindo de uma perspectiva macro até se desmembrar a aspectos operacionais. O método adotado é um estudo de caso, de cunho qualitativo e de natureza exploratório- descritiva. É realizada uma triangulação de dados para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, baseada em oito entrevistas semi-estruturadas e em dados internos e externos da empresa. Como resultado, este trabalho evidencia que a corporação multinacional foco deste estudo, apesar de apresentar bons desempenhos, possui aspectos a aperfeiçoar no que tange à gestão do conhecimento, ainda que tenha uma estrutura robusta para sustentar esse processo. Alguns dificultadores na transferência do conhecimento organizacional entre países são identificados, incluindo a dificuldade devido à grande quantidade de informações a ser gerenciada, uma eventual ―prepotência‖ por parte de países desenvolvidos e o desconhecimento dos detentores do conhecimento na organização. Ao contrário do argumenta a literatura pesquisada, o trabalho identifica uma atuação tímida desempenhada pela área de Recursos Humanos no que se refere à transferência de conhecimento organizacional entre países na empresa estudada. Adicionalmente, enumera ações para otimizar esse processo, nas quais se incluem registrar o conhecimento e coordenar de forma integrada as iniciativas referentes à gestão do conhecimento. / This research analyzes the barriers of organizational knowledge transfer between countries with emphasis on the role of International Human Resources, based on a multinational company located in Brazil. To meet this purpose, the theoretical foundation bases its work on three pillars: 1) the processes of globalization and internationalization, 2) knowledge management, and 3) the role of International Human Resources, going from a macro perspective till breaks it down in operational aspects. The method adopted here is a case study, it has a qualitative approach and it has an exploratory-descriptive nature. It holds a triangulation of data, based on eight semi-structured interviews and data from inside and outside of the company studied. As a result, this work shows that the multinational corporation focus of this study, despite having a good performance, has opportunities to improve aspects regarding knowledge management, yet it has a robust structure to support this process. Some barriers of the organizational knowledge transfer between countries are identified, including the difficulty due to the large amount of information to be managed, an eventual "arrogance" by developed countries and the unknown of the keepers of knowledge within the organization. Unlike that maintains the literature, the paper identifies a timid role played by Human Resources in terms of organizational knowledge transfer between countries in the studied company. Additionally, this work lists several actions to streamline this process, which includes registering the knowledge within the company and coordinating in an integrated manner initiatives related to knowledge management.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:25:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gaston Marcos Molas Quiroga.pdf: 1126236 bytes, checksum: a58c16c492722601292254b1a0630c60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-02 / The purpose of this study was to describe the process of knowledge transfer in consultancy projects, to identify the model, type and stages involved in a business service process provided by a p-KIBS company and to detect possible barriers to the knowledge transfer process related to knowledge, contect, source and recipient. The type of business chosen for this study was the p-KIBS company (Professional Knowledge Intensive Business Services), because litttle is known about this business in Brazil. As compared to other businesses, the p-KIBS have a differentiation of high customer interaction. The interviews were carried out using prepared survey questionnaires, especially designed for the business and for the customer in question. The technique used for the collection, analysis and interpretation of the data was the one proposed by Nigel King´s (2004). The company chosen for this study was Sales Talent a consultant firm specialized in providing knowledge intensive business service in sales area (P-KIBS). The analysis unit studied is the project itself, where the service is provided to a customer identified in this study as the ―ABC Company‖ a multinational company of the Information Technology sector. Two projects were studied, starting with the hiring of the p-KIBS and closing with the feedback. The conclusions drawn were the following: i) due to the close participation of both companies, working with bi-directional information flow, the model of information transfererence was collaborative; ii) the types of knowledge transfer present in the study are the serial type - with reference to the design of the model - and of the specialized type - with reference to the content; iii) all the stages in the knowledge transfer described in the literature were identified in the project - in less degree in integration and retention stage, that was restricted to one area; iv) it was noted that the process of knowledge tranfer is wider than that of the services provided because it includes activities carried out prior to the project - such as motivation and start up and other after the project is finished such as feedback; v) the barriers regarding knowledge (casual ambiguity) and the recipient (incapacity to retain knowledge) had great impact on the project, but were minimized by the strong interpersonal relationship. In addition, a wider interpretation model is put forward. This model integrates the stages of knowledge transfer in the process of providing business services, with a view to improving the approach and interaction between the consultant company and the customer. / Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever o processo de transferência do conhecimento em projetos de consultoria, bem como identificar o modelo, o tipo e as etapas da transferência do conhecimento no processo de prestação de serviço de uma empresa p-KIBS, e eventuais barreiras de transferência do conhecimento referentes ao conhecimento, contexto, fonte e receptor. Optou-se pelo estudo das empresas p-KIBS (Professional - Knowledge Intensive Business Services), pois pouco se conhece sobre estas empresas no Brasil e sabe-se que um dos diferenciais destas empresas frente a outros tipos de prestadores de serviço é a alta interação que têm com seus clientes. Foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade, utilizando roteiro de pesquisa semiestruturado, adaptado para a empresa e para o cliente. Para a coleta, análise e interpretação dos dados, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de template proposta por Nigel King (2004). A empresa escolhida para a realização deste estudo foi a consultoria SalesTalent, prestadora de serviços intensivos em conhecimento de vendas (p-KIBS). A unidade de análise estudada é o projeto, onde ocorre a prestação do serviço em um cliente retratado por uma multinacional do setor de Tecnologia de Informação, denominada neste estudo de ―Empresa ABC‖. Foram estudados dois projetos, desde a contratação até o feedback. Os achados no estudo foram os seguintes: i) devido à próxima participação em conjunto de ambas as empresas, com fluxo de informação bidirecional, o modelo de transferência foi colaborativo; ii) os tipos de transferência do conhecimento presentes no estudo são o tipo serial, referente ao desenho do modelo, e o tipo especializada, referente ao conteúdo; iii) todas as etapas da transferência do conhecimento descritas na literatura foram identificadas no projeto, em menor grau a integração e retenção, que ficou restrita a uma área; iv) percebeu-se que o processo de transferência do conhecimento é mais amplo que a prestação de serviço, pois envolve atividades realizadas antes do projeto, como a motivação e iniciação, e depois do projeto, o feedback; v) as barreiras de conhecimento (ambiguidade causal) e receptor (incapacidade de retenção) tiveram maior impacto no projeto, minimizadas pelo sólido relacionamento interpessoal. Adicionalmente é proposto um modelo interpretativo amplo, que integra as etapas de transferência no processo de prestação do serviço, visando aperfeiçoar a abordagem e a interação da consultoria com o cliente.

Innovation programmes require organisations to transfer both technology and knowledge to the diverse actors who operate within innovation eco-systems. The changing relationship between science and society has witnessed the growth of public private partnerships (PPP) to create new knowledge, while also triggering the emergence of a new role for universities as catalysts for innovation. This brings many challenges, stemming from the inherent nature of knowledge and the complex interactions involved with inter-disciplinary knowledge transfer. Concurrently, these public-funded programmes come under increasing scrutiny to demonstrate greater societal and economic impact as a return on research investment. Knowledge generated within the UK low carbon energy innovation system has the potential to facilitate the achievement of national emission targets. However, while knowledge may be successfully created, there is no guarantee that it will be disseminated and utilised in a way that contributes to the achievement of knowledge-related objectives. Current literature concentrates on the micro level inhibitors and enablers of knowledge transfer; however, a gap in empirical work which investigates system level knowledge interactions is evident. Research and practical application in this field has historically centred on technology transfer whilst under-emphasising the crucial role of knowledge within this complex, socio-technical innovation system. The overall aim of this qualitative study is to achieve a better understanding of the influences of knowledge transfer across a defined innovation system. This is achieved through the perceptions of participants via two case studies; one in a PPP and one in a University. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-eight participants, along with document analysis and participant observation at workshops, to investigate the participant perceptions. A three tier (macro-, meso- and micro-level) data analysis approach was adopted to reflect the systems level interactions. The study found that knowledge transfer is often perceived as the dissemination of information via explicit forms of knowledge, which may or may not be used by stakeholders to achieve innovation objectives. The main barriers to stakeholders utilising knowledge included: accessibility to knowledge; fit-for-purpose knowledge; stakeholder motivation/ability to use the knowledge; and viewing knowledge as an object. While there is an emerging impact agenda in academia, cultural and normative influences direct researchers towards traditional academic outputs (e.g. publications). Knowledge utilisation by stakeholders was found to be maximised through relational, stakeholder driven models, which view knowledge as a process. Knowledge utilisation was context specific, and, due to complex system influences, was never guaranteed to occur. Although planning for knowledge utilisation was undertaken at both the PPP and the University, implementing and measuring results was found to be difficult due to dynamic system influences such as understanding stakeholder motivations, resourcing constraints and complexity in the desired project outcomes. This makes adaptability and responsiveness important qualities for knowledge producers, while also necessitating specific skill sets. Based on this work, a set of principles were developed which should guide more effective utilisation of knowledge and promote more impactful research outcomes.

Scripting, defined as the mechanization of business processes through automated tools or orchestrated responses, has played a significant role in shaping call center activities and the resultant customer relationship. However, findings of industry research have shown that the use of scripting to maximize operational efficiency has had a disempowering effect on call center employees by lowering their job-skill and knowledge requirements. Grounded in the concepts of knowledge management and knowledge transfer, this study explored the experiences of frontline call center employees on the effects of scripting on customer problem solving. A single-case study design with semistructured interviews was used with a population of 20 frontline employees in a North American call center to gather insights. Thematic analysis was applied to the interview data using nodes to identify emerging themes and insights. Three major themes emerged: First, although scripting had contributed to improved service quality and operational efficiency, scripted practices undermined the use of team knowledge and limited the amount of shared information. Second, the employees requested that call center scripted solutions be more intuitive and better aligned to knowledge requirements. Third, the employees suggested that an object-oriented approach to solution management be used, one that could better leverage communities of practices and collective team knowledge sharing within the organization. This object-oriented approach to solution management may promote virtual knowledge flow and the building of subject matter expertise that could elicit higher agent engagement and problem ownership. The proposed object-oriented approach to knowledge sharing is important to management, as it could help facilitate knowledge reuse and improved organizational performance.

Information Technology project managers have found that collective turnover of consultants lowers code quality, increases knowledge loss and negatively impacts team performance. Within the last decade, companies have begun to see that offshore consultants have a turnover rate greater than 26%, more than double the rates for the rest of the IT consulting industry. Collective turnover also puts additional pressure on the project team, causing work exhaustion and thus additional turnover. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that 6 successful project managers utilized to limit and reduce the impact of collective turnover of their hybrid sourced project teams. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling, based on career experiences and history of successful project execution. Data collection was completed through semi structured face to face interviews, acquisition of company documents including knowledge transfer plans, onboarding documents and turnover statistics. Data were analyzed using coding and key word analysis. Three themes emerged from data collection on the impact collective turnover has on hybrid sourced project teams. First, collective turnover of consultants decreased team performance. Second, improving global team dynamics reduced the negative impact of collective turnover. Last using knowledge transfer tools and project documentation practices reduced the negative impact of collective turnover. This research may contribute to effectively social change by providing managers information and techniques to improve global team dynamics and remove cultural barriers from the workplace.

<p>Background: In today’s highly competitive business environment, knowledge is viewed as a key strategic resource. The privatization process of telecom operators in different countries created a demand in telecom management skills, and Swedish companies like Swedtel AB became involved in exporting and transferring their knowledge and management skills. </p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this thesis paper is to identify all stages (from origins to final destination) of the Knowledge Transfer process and to contribute to the understanding about the mechanism of Knowledge Transfer between organizations.</p><p>Scope: This research is limited to the investigation of the transfer process of strategic management knowledge from consulting company Swedtel AB to privatized telecom companies in Lithuania (Lietuvos Telekomas) and Nicaragua (Enitel). </p><p>Results: Theoretical model of Knowledge Transfer was identified and tested. The model of this research was only partially supported: processes were identified in practice as described by the theory, however model required modifications in order to better reflect the reality.</p>

<p>Background: Competence development has become more important since the pressure on effectiveness is increasing and organisations are expected to constantly improvement. The design of the competence development activities is governed by the strategy which in turn will affect the outcome of the same. A knowledge intense business in which changes recently have taken place is healthcare, a business in which competition also has increased as a result from globalization. Due to this, it is highly important to take care of and improve the competence of individuals. According to this, we have found that healthcare is an interesting business to study with regard to competence development. </p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of how competence development is handled from an international perspective. </p><p>Method: The thesis has a qualitative approach where interviews have taken place, in Sweden as well as in England. The analysis is based upon theories in combination which empirical findings. </p><p>Result: We have found that the two organisations are good at developing individual competence. Although, there are difficulties in taking care of and spread the competence that is gained mainly through formal activities, this problem is also called the transfer problem. One way to increase the awareness of the problem is to develop an explicit strategy for competence development. It is important that this strategy reflects the needs of the organisation and that the activities are adjusted in accordance to this.</p>

<p>Background: Due to the rapid change of conditions knowledge is becoming increasingly more importance today. Knowledge is now considered superior to technology and capital as a source of competitive advantage, however needs to be efficiently transferred and well managed to explore its full potential.</p><p>Purpose: The primary purpose of this study is to map the process of structured knowledge transfer. This is done in two phases from host organisation to expatriate and from expatriate to home organisation. Secondary the results will indicate some major influences on the knowledge transfer process.</p><p>Research method: A case study of SAAB and Denel Aviatons has been selected for this thesis. Primary information was predominantly obtained through qualitative interviews with some quantitative survey support. The case study has been conducted with people involved in the structured knowledge transfer programme.</p><p>Results: The study shows that different types of knowledge is transferred and that knowledge moves through several stages as it gets transformed from raw data to action. It also captures the methods of knowledge transfer as it moves from velocity to viscosity. It has also been discovered that although the second phase within the case study is different than the first, that ideally it should be almost identical.</p>