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Thesis (M.Psych.Org.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

Information gathering from sources outside the company plays a critical role in most innovation projects. Particularly, it seems promising to approach external market experts to develop an indepth understanding of current use problems, changing customer needs and trends for new product solutions. When planning expert interviews, firms are confronted with the question whether knowledge is distributed rather homogeneously or heterogeneously ("scattered") among a pool of experts. This issue strongly determines how many experts need to be interviewed in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of a given search field for innovation. In the present paper we analyse expert interviews that were conducted in the context of an innovation project in the field of surgical hygiene products. We find high heterogeneity of expert knowledge: Market experts in our sample vary in terms of market information they provide for the particular product field. We argue that this finding is in alignment with the concept of "bounded rationality" and the theory of "contextual development of knowledge". Our findings have implications for the management of external information gathering and the identification of market experts.(author's abstract)

Representing knowledge as information content alone is insufficient in providing us with an understanding of the world around us. A combination of context as well as reasoning of the information content is fundamental to representing knowledge in an information system. Knowledge Representation is typically concerned with providing structures and theories that are used as a basis for intelligent reasoning. For this research however, the author defines an alternative meaning, which is related to how knowledge is used in a given context. Thus, this dissertation provides a contribution to the field of knowledge within information systems, in terms of the development of a frame-of-reference that will support the reader in navigating through the different forms of explicit and tacit knowledge use within the manufacturing industry. In doing so, the dissertation also presents the generation of a novel classification of three forms of knowledge (Structural, Interpretive and Evaluative forms); the development of a conceptual framework which highlights the drivers for knowledge transformation; and the development of a conceptual model which seeks to envelop both the content as well as the context of knowledge (Semiotic as well as Symbiotic factors). This is established through the use of an Empirical, Quantitative case study approach, that seeks to explore an interpretivist view of knowledge representation within two information systems contexts, within two UK manufacturing organisations. The first case study presents how a-priori knowledge assumptions are used in a computer aided engineering decision-making task within a high technology manufacturing company. The second case study shows how knowledge is used within the IT/IS investment evaluation decision making process, within a manufacturing SME. In doing so, both case studies attempt to elucidate the inherent, underlying relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge, via a frame-of-reference developed by the author which defines key drivers for knowledge transformation.

O conhecimento desempenha papel fundamental no crescimento e competitividade das empresas. No entanto, apenas gerar conhecimento não proporciona maior poder de competição para uma organização. É preciso gerenciar esse conhecimento. A criação e a implantação de processos que gerem, armazenem, gerenciem e disseminem o conhecimento representam um dos desafios enfrentado pelas empresas. Uma fonte geradora de informações e conhecimento são projetos que são executados por equipes multifuncionais que visam diagnosticar oportunidades e implementar melhorias. A Metodologia Seis Sigma é um exemplo de projeto conduzido de forma disciplinada entre equipes que visam a melhoria na qualidade. Esta metodologia é, sem dúvida, uma das fontes geradoras de conhecimento. Entretanto, a falta de um mecanismo de gerenciamento dos projetos Seis Sigma pode acarretar em uma perda de conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo dos anos, sendo estes perdidos ou não aproveitados, uma vez que projetos são executados por diferentes equipes e as pessoas podem mudar de empresa ou função. Esta dissertação apresenta uma metodologia de gerenciamento da informação para transformá-lo em conhecimento em ambiente Intranet para difundir e compartilhar informações, objetivando ampliar o alcance e acelerar a velocidade de transferência do conhecimento. Propõe-se um software aplicativo de tipologia voltada para Intranet para favorecer a troca de conhecimento denominado de AGPS (Aplicativo para Gerenciar informações entre Projetos Seis Sigma). O sistema foi aplicado à empresa MWM International Motores e representa uma inovação para a organização como o primeiro sistema desenvolvido utilizando-se dos princípios da gestão do conhecimento, a ser utilizado como referência interna entre as empresas do grupo Navistar na América do Sul. O aplicativo auxilia na captura e estruturação do conhecimento resultante do desenvolvimento de projetos Seis Sigma, disponibilizando-o em uma base de dados compartilhada e difundida por toda a organização. Os resultados finais demonstram a efetividade do sistema aplicável aos projetos Seis Sigma e recomenda que o aplicativo seja estendido, utilizado-o como uma ferramenta na gestão do portfólio de projetos de melhoria da empresa. / Knowledge has a fundamental role in the growing and competitiveness of the companies. However, only to generate knowledge it does not provide a bigger power of competition to an organization. It is needed to manage this knowledge. The creation and implementation of processes that generate, store, manage and disseminate the knowledge, represents one of the challenges faced by the companies. A generator source of information and knowledge are projects that are executed by multifunctional teams that aim to diagnose opportunities and implement improvements. The six sigma methodology is an example of project guided in a disciplined way among teams that look for a quality improvement. This methodology is, with no doubts, one of the sources that generate knowledge. However, a lack of a mechanism that manage the Six Sigma projects can bring a loss of knowledge acquired during the last years, being that a loss of or not utilized knowledge, once projects are executed by different teams and people, sometimes, want to change company or position. This dissertation presents an information management methodology to transform it in Intranet knowledge to diffuse and share information objectifying to enlarge the reach and to accelerate the speed of knowledge transference. It is proposed an applicative software in direction to the management knowledge of Intranet named AGPS(Applicative for managing information between projects Six Sigma). The system was applied in the MWM International Engines Company and represents and innovation to the organization as a first project developed that uses knowledge management to be used as an internal reference among the Navistar group in South America. The applicative helps it to catch and structure the knowledge resultant of the development of Six Sigma projects, making it available in a data base shared by the organization. The final results show the effectiveness of the system applicable to the Six Sigma projects and it is recommended that the applicative be extended, using it as a management tool in the management projects portfolio of improvement company.

O conhecimento desempenha papel fundamental no crescimento e competitividade das empresas. No entanto, apenas gerar conhecimento não proporciona maior poder de competição para uma organização. É preciso gerenciar esse conhecimento. A criação e a implantação de processos que gerem, armazenem, gerenciem e disseminem o conhecimento representam um dos desafios enfrentado pelas empresas. Uma fonte geradora de informações e conhecimento são projetos que são executados por equipes multifuncionais que visam diagnosticar oportunidades e implementar melhorias. A Metodologia Seis Sigma é um exemplo de projeto conduzido de forma disciplinada entre equipes que visam a melhoria na qualidade. Esta metodologia é, sem dúvida, uma das fontes geradoras de conhecimento. Entretanto, a falta de um mecanismo de gerenciamento dos projetos Seis Sigma pode acarretar em uma perda de conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo dos anos, sendo estes perdidos ou não aproveitados, uma vez que projetos são executados por diferentes equipes e as pessoas podem mudar de empresa ou função. Esta dissertação apresenta uma metodologia de gerenciamento da informação para transformá-lo em conhecimento em ambiente Intranet para difundir e compartilhar informações, objetivando ampliar o alcance e acelerar a velocidade de transferência do conhecimento. Propõe-se um software aplicativo de tipologia voltada para Intranet para favorecer a troca de conhecimento denominado de AGPS (Aplicativo para Gerenciar informações entre Projetos Seis Sigma). O sistema foi aplicado à empresa MWM International Motores e representa uma inovação para a organização como o primeiro sistema desenvolvido utilizando-se dos princípios da gestão do conhecimento, a ser utilizado como referência interna entre as empresas do grupo Navistar na América do Sul. O aplicativo auxilia na captura e estruturação do conhecimento resultante do desenvolvimento de projetos Seis Sigma, disponibilizando-o em uma base de dados compartilhada e difundida por toda a organização. Os resultados finais demonstram a efetividade do sistema aplicável aos projetos Seis Sigma e recomenda que o aplicativo seja estendido, utilizado-o como uma ferramenta na gestão do portfólio de projetos de melhoria da empresa. / Knowledge has a fundamental role in the growing and competitiveness of the companies. However, only to generate knowledge it does not provide a bigger power of competition to an organization. It is needed to manage this knowledge. The creation and implementation of processes that generate, store, manage and disseminate the knowledge, represents one of the challenges faced by the companies. A generator source of information and knowledge are projects that are executed by multifunctional teams that aim to diagnose opportunities and implement improvements. The six sigma methodology is an example of project guided in a disciplined way among teams that look for a quality improvement. This methodology is, with no doubts, one of the sources that generate knowledge. However, a lack of a mechanism that manage the Six Sigma projects can bring a loss of knowledge acquired during the last years, being that a loss of or not utilized knowledge, once projects are executed by different teams and people, sometimes, want to change company or position. This dissertation presents an information management methodology to transform it in Intranet knowledge to diffuse and share information objectifying to enlarge the reach and to accelerate the speed of knowledge transference. It is proposed an applicative software in direction to the management knowledge of Intranet named AGPS(Applicative for managing information between projects Six Sigma). The system was applied in the MWM International Engines Company and represents and innovation to the organization as a first project developed that uses knowledge management to be used as an internal reference among the Navistar group in South America. The applicative helps it to catch and structure the knowledge resultant of the development of Six Sigma projects, making it available in a data base shared by the organization. The final results show the effectiveness of the system applicable to the Six Sigma projects and it is recommended that the applicative be extended, using it as a management tool in the management projects portfolio of improvement company.

O conhecimento desempenha papel fundamental no crescimento e competitividade das empresas. No entanto, apenas gerar conhecimento não proporciona maior poder de competição para uma organização. É preciso gerenciar esse conhecimento. A criação e a implantação de processos que gerem, armazenem, gerenciem e disseminem o conhecimento representam um dos desafios enfrentado pelas empresas. Uma fonte geradora de informações e conhecimento são projetos que são executados por equipes multifuncionais que visam diagnosticar oportunidades e implementar melhorias. A Metodologia Seis Sigma é um exemplo de projeto conduzido de forma disciplinada entre equipes que visam a melhoria na qualidade. Esta metodologia é, sem dúvida, uma das fontes geradoras de conhecimento. Entretanto, a falta de um mecanismo de gerenciamento dos projetos Seis Sigma pode acarretar em uma perda de conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo dos anos, sendo estes perdidos ou não aproveitados, uma vez que projetos são executados por diferentes equipes e as pessoas podem mudar de empresa ou função. Esta dissertação apresenta uma metodologia de gerenciamento da informação para transformá-lo em conhecimento em ambiente Intranet para difundir e compartilhar informações, objetivando ampliar o alcance e acelerar a velocidade de transferência do conhecimento. Propõe-se um software aplicativo de tipologia voltada para Intranet para favorecer a troca de conhecimento denominado de AGPS (Aplicativo para Gerenciar informações entre Projetos Seis Sigma). O sistema foi aplicado à empresa MWM International Motores e representa uma inovação para a organização como o primeiro sistema desenvolvido utilizando-se dos princípios da gestão do conhecimento, a ser utilizado como referência interna entre as empresas do grupo Navistar na América do Sul. O aplicativo auxilia na captura e estruturação do conhecimento resultante do desenvolvimento de projetos Seis Sigma, disponibilizando-o em uma base de dados compartilhada e difundida por toda a organização. Os resultados finais demonstram a efetividade do sistema aplicável aos projetos Seis Sigma e recomenda que o aplicativo seja estendido, utilizado-o como uma ferramenta na gestão do portfólio de projetos de melhoria da empresa. / Knowledge has a fundamental role in the growing and competitiveness of the companies. However, only to generate knowledge it does not provide a bigger power of competition to an organization. It is needed to manage this knowledge. The creation and implementation of processes that generate, store, manage and disseminate the knowledge, represents one of the challenges faced by the companies. A generator source of information and knowledge are projects that are executed by multifunctional teams that aim to diagnose opportunities and implement improvements. The six sigma methodology is an example of project guided in a disciplined way among teams that look for a quality improvement. This methodology is, with no doubts, one of the sources that generate knowledge. However, a lack of a mechanism that manage the Six Sigma projects can bring a loss of knowledge acquired during the last years, being that a loss of or not utilized knowledge, once projects are executed by different teams and people, sometimes, want to change company or position. This dissertation presents an information management methodology to transform it in Intranet knowledge to diffuse and share information objectifying to enlarge the reach and to accelerate the speed of knowledge transference. It is proposed an applicative software in direction to the management knowledge of Intranet named AGPS(Applicative for managing information between projects Six Sigma). The system was applied in the MWM International Engines Company and represents and innovation to the organization as a first project developed that uses knowledge management to be used as an internal reference among the Navistar group in South America. The applicative helps it to catch and structure the knowledge resultant of the development of Six Sigma projects, making it available in a data base shared by the organization. The final results show the effectiveness of the system applicable to the Six Sigma projects and it is recommended that the applicative be extended, using it as a management tool in the management projects portfolio of improvement company.

Pregnancy is affected by multiple factors both within and outside of a woman’s control. For those who experience a preterm pregnancy, considerations about their experiences can be revelatory and meaningful in understanding concepts such as information sharing, support systems, and care models. This research uses qualitative description to further enhance our knowledge about women’s preterm birth experiences within the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Participant interviews (n=13), key informant interviews (n=2), and participant observations were conducted. Findings exposed 6 themes: 1) prenatal preparedness; 2) working while pregnant; 3) delivery expectations; 4) place and space; 5) supports and resource attainment; and 6) attitudes and knowledge. Collectively, the themes point to the need for improvements in service delivery and knowledge acquisition, and also suggest a new paradigm of employment involvement in pregnancy as well as reaffirmed or rebranded client-provider expectations during pregnancy. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Orientador: Marcio Luiz de Andrade Netto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-19T21:28:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Romariz_AlexandreRicardoSoares_M.pdf: 5855846 bytes, checksum: 4b7828a3a6355b3204207faea24876f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1995 / Resumo: Este trabalho trata da representação de conhecimento estruturado (na forma de regras) em sistemas conexionistas. Primeiramente, é feito um estudo sobre redes conexionistas modulares, nas quais grupos de neurônios podem ser associados a antecedentes e conseqüências de regras. Em seguida, mostram-se formas pelas quais estas redes são associadas a conceitos de lógica nebulosa, nos chamados sistemas neuronebulosos. Um algoritmo de aquisição incremental é proposto para tais sistemas. Nele, promove-se alteração estrutural e não apenas adaptação de parâmetros da rede. Novas regras vão sendo adicionadas para lidar com padrões ainda não cobertos pelas regras existentes. O erro decorrente da aplicação de uma regra é usado como indicador da função de pertinência da mesma ... Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: This work addresses the problem of representing structured knowledge (as a set of rules) in connectionist systems. First, modular connectionist networks are studied. In this kind of network, groups of neurons may be associated with rule antecedents or consequents. Next, we show some ways by which these networks are associated with fuzzy logic concepts (neuro-fuzzy systems). An algorithm for incremental rule is proposed for these systems. Strucutural modification as well as parameters adaptation are considered. New rules are added periodically to deal with patterns which are not yet convered by the existing rules. The error that results from the application of each rule is used as an indication for membership function construction ... Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic digital thesis or dissertations / Mestrado / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

My thesis is focused on knowledge management and its quality in Czech companies. The issue is one of the most current and very important topic since the interest in knowledge and namely in its management and utilisation by as large as possible number of employees has been rapidly growing worldwide. The main objective of my thesis is to evaluate the level of knowledge management in Czech companies and suggest procedures leading to elimination of most frequent errors therein. The introduction of my thesis provides basic definitions from the field of knowledge management, namely data, information and knowledge, and gives definitions of most important factors that influence knowledge management. Chapter two surveys the current state of knowledge management, namely modern approaches towards knowledge management, classification of knowledge suggested by various authors and different styles of knowledge management. Chapter three is focused on modern trends in human resources and influence of the company’s structure upon knowledge management. Chapter four contains description of ways of origin of knowledge followed by activities necessary to know prior to introduction of knowledge management. Chapter five gives a survey of current development in information systems and products supporting knowledge management. The final part of my thesis presents an assessed questionnaire survey and gives recommendations to the discussed issue. Included are suggested procedures how to proceed and act in human resources management and IT investments in companies intending to introduce knowledge management. In addition, this chapter gives examples of contributions from science, practice and pedagogic procedures.