The Canadian population is aging, as is the Canadian workforce. Today, four generations find themselves cohabiting in the workforce together. This may have an impact on workplace collaboration and communication, as both of these processes are influenced by group perceptions. Academic research has focused upon workplace interactions mainly from a younger worker’s perspective; hence, the older worker’s voice has been overlooked. The objective of this study is thereby from an older worker’s perspective, to understand how generations perceive each other in the workplace, and further, understand how these perceptions influence intergenerational communication and collaboration. To do so, we have relied upon Communication Accommodation Theory and Social Identity Theory, and have conducted a survey to measure the influence of ageist stereotypes on communication and its accommodation, in addition to such influences on knowledge transfer. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Companies are under constant pressure to stay competitive in order to survive in an ever changing market. It is important for companies to stay ahead of the market and to ensure that any window of opportunity is exploited with maximum benefit to the company. Innovation is regarded as a tool that provides companies with a competitive advantage and that ensures sustainability and success. Organisations need to enhance their innovative capabilities to ensure growth and sustainability. Knowledge can be seen as the building blocks of innovation. Innovation and knowledge management are, therefore, tightly linked. Knowledge generation can be very costly and is sometimes found to be limited in organisations. When internal knowledge is insufficient in an organisation, external knowledge can be utilized by means of innovation networks between different organisations which share common goals. By knowledge being shared between organisations, not only will each organisation benefit individually, but it will also help the partners and strategic alliances to evolve and grow in stature. Required knowledge can be generated internally and can also be extracted from different organisations by means of open innovation. Open innovation sets the scene for knowledge to flow across organisational boundaries and enlarges the creative knowledge capacity and knowledge pool. The flow of knowledge should be governed by knowledge management. The research in this study bridges the gap between the previous innovation models and the notion of an open approach to internal innovation, which improves the speed and effectiveness of the innovation process. The fundamentals of innovation had been investigated, where after the focus moved to understanding a specific and existing innovation process framework, named the FuGle Innovation Process Model. The tracking of knowledge in Open Innovation Models assigned to the FuGle Innovation Process Model, leads to the proposed change of converting Innovation role players to function in an Open Innovation paradigm. By understanding the responsibilities of the role players and the intricacies of controlling the flow of different types of knowledge between interlinked companies, will provide an organisation with the opportunity to deploy an Open Innovation approach at appropriate points within their different processes. This will assist the organisation to stay competitive in an ever fluctuating market. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Maatskappye is onder konstante druk om kompeterend te wees en om te verseker dat hulle in ‘n veranderende omgewing kan oorleef. Innovasie word beskou as ‘n hulpmiddel en instrument wat maatskappye kan voorsien van ‘n kompeterende voordeel wat volgehoue sukses kan verseker. Maatskappye behoort hulle innoverende vermoëns uit te bou om groei en volhoubaarheid te verseker. Kennis kan gesien word as die boustene van innovering. Innovasie en kennisbestuur is dus stewig met mekaar verbind. Die verkryging van kennis kan organisasies duur te staan kom en daarom is kennis binne organisasies somtyds beperk. Wanneer interne kennis in ‘n organisasie beperk is, kan van ‘n innoverende netwerk gebruik gemaak word om eksterne kennis tussen verskillende organisies wat na diesefde doel streef met mekaar te deel. Dit kan gesien word as innoverend om kennis tussen organiasies te deel. Wanneer kennis tussen organisasies gedeel word, sal nie alleenlik die enkele organisasie daarby baatvind nie, maar ook die ander organisasie en selfs vennote en alliansies van die organisasie sal ontwikkel en in statuur groei. Noodsaaklike kennis kan intern verkry word en kan ook deur middel van verskillende organisasies deur die proses van Oop Innovasie verkry word. Oop Innovasie dek die tafel vir die vloei van kennis oor organisatoriese grense heen wat die kreatiewe kenniskapasiteit en die kennispoel vergroot. Die navorsing in die studie oorbrug die gaping tussen die vorige innovasie modelle en die gedagte van ‘n oop benadering tot interne innovasie wat die spoed en effektiwiteit van die innovasieproses sal verbeter. Die grondslag van innovasie is eers ondersoek, waarna die fokus verskuif het na die begrip van ‘n spesifieke innovasie proses, naamlik die FuGle Innovasie Proses Model. Die navolging van die vloei van kennis in die Oop Innovasie Modelle wat toegedig is aan die FuGle Innovasie Proses Model, het gelei tot die voorgestelse verandering om die rolle van die innovasie rolspelers te verander sodat hulle beter kan funksioneer binne ‘n Oop Innovasie paradigma. n’ Begrip van die verantwoordelikhede van , rolspelers en die ingewikkelde kontrole oor die vloei van kennis tussen die organisasies, verskaf aan die organisasie die geleentheid om ‘n Oop Innovasie benadering op gepaste punte binne die onderskeie prosesse binne die organisasie te ontplooi. Hierdie stap sal die organisasie behulpsaam wees om kompeterend te bly binne ‘n veranderende mark.

Due to the digitalization era and challenges faced by the healthcare sector, Medical Information Systems are now being extensively used at hospitals. The implementation of the systems is a complex task which entails a need for careful considerations from a managerial view, since the main purpose with implementing the systems is for managerial control. One of the things management should consider is the professional aspect. The nursing profession is a highly specific one, and this could implicate special considerations. The aim of this master’s thesis is to take on a sociotechnical approach towards the implementation of Medical Information Systems and investigate how the nursing profession is affecting the implementation process, and what it may implicate for hospital management. To answer the research question a qualitative approach has been chosen. The empirical data has been gathered through semi-structured interviews with nurses from the case organization. The result implies that the nursing profession have a substantial impact on the implementation process. Instead of embracing the instructions and support offered by management, the nurses develop their own way of working within the system.

Background: Freno AB in Piteå has expanded rapidly in recent years and wishes to continue the expansion at aneven faster pace. At the same time, the company has noted that there are challenges to maintain high quality, goodeconomy and good marketability. The expansion sets demand on the finances for new premises and equipment aswell as for the development of new product models. The company shall also be able to provide aftermarket servicesand sell to new customers and market segments. In addition, there is requirements to develop skills in the newemployee’s and continuing to develop the existing employees. Furthermore, there are needs to invest in digitalsupport systems for design, production planning, logistics and financial functions as well as customer support andaftermarket.Freno´s goal is to ensure that the conditions for an expansion in each individual part is set before the expansion isstarted. The reason for the positioning is based on the fact, that there have been shortcomings in their businessactivities in most of the areas mentioned above and that many of the challenges lie in unclear communicationstructures. Task: In the thesis have I investigated how the company’s current knowledge and competence is transferred betweendifferent unites. The starting point has been stated in the fact that the employees are the ones who possessesinsight, knowledge and experience about the company's business and the opportunities and challenges that arecurrently in place. The study is based on the current state of Freno with a question about how streamlining communicationsbetween employees and departments can support a continued expansion. Method: The thesis is based on the methodology of Social Network Analysis, where the data regarding network,logic views and culture has been collected from the 12 employees. The interviewed answered via forms and hadthe opportunity to give open answers to some questions and give complementary information where deemed necessary.The required data was transferred to Excel and transformed into diagrams or further exported into Gephito create and understand the network configurations. The results were analyzed and interpreted via the theoreticalframework and cross referenced with other results to validate the conclusions. Results: The evaluation showed that competence and collaboration was not used in an optimal manner for maximizingproductivity. If the presented result is taken into consideration, will the company likely be able to predicthow strategic decisions can affect both existing and lacking communicational structures. A more transparent communicationbetween departments and with functioning support structure (i.e. production planning, updated schematics,goods, order stock with more) will probably affect the efficiency positively. Findings: The analysis showed that a combination between the bow-tie configuration, the imploded group structuresand a missing culture of the socio-technical multifunctional principle, inhibited the transfer and generationof new knowledge within the company. Causing a drift between the company’s knowledge and information needsand their combability view. The irregular network structures in combination with structural holes has made a heavyworkload on the centerpiece in the company. With that discovery was seven holes noted in the company network,which is assumed to have been handled by the centerpiece.Moreover, was a logical clash identified between the current and the previous CEO, changing the base for validatingactions and causing unclarity. Which in combination a chattered humane orientation culture and unclarity abouthow actions were validated via individual or groups acceptance. It was furthermore discovered that the workinstructions for the employed did define the employees influence via tools and technical support that enhanced thenetworks interaction patterns. Recommendations: The presented solutions includes team-building exercises, establishing a formal learningspace. Furthermore, is it recommended to establish up to seven formal meetings places and that knowledge typerequirements shall be identified and defined to secure what validates work related actions. It is also suggested toestablish mentorship protocols, in order to increase the knowledge transfer within the company and reduce therisks of bottleneck and locking effects. Keywords: Small to medium enterprises, iterative processes, Culture, resistance, influence, groupconfigurations, knowledge transfer, process perspective, social network analysis.

Connecting Human Resource Management (HRM) and knowledge transfer through motivation is a new research area. Out of the few existing studies there is a predominance of quantitative studies, which are showing inconclusive results. As a response, this study uses a qualitative micro perspective to investigate how HRM practises influence intrinsic- and extrinsic motivation to share knowledge. It is important to divide motivation into intrinsic and extrinsic, as it impacts knowledge sharing differently. Former studies have identified a need to study the whole HRM system, therefore, to capture differences in motivation among employees exposed to the same system, this thesis takes on a single case study approach. Qualitative interviews were held with employees at an MNC that relies on knowledge intensive activities. The findings showed that employees were motivated intrinsically through career development and extrinsically by the performance management system. The supportive climate showed to influence motivation to share knowledge, both directly and indirectly. Job design was shown to work well in combination with other practises. Finally, a key finding was the importance of having an aligned HRM system.

Compte tenu du taux d’échec élevé qu’enregistrent bon nombre d’opérations de fusions & acquisitions (F&A), le transfert des connaissances semble être un facteur déterminant dans le processus d’intégration entre les entreprises qui fusionnent. La littérature empirique sur le transfert de connaissances dans les F&A tend à se répartir en deux catégories distinctes : d’une part, les études "macro" (au niveau inter-organisationnel) et d’autre part, les études "micro" (au niveau de l’individu). Or, il est possible de noter qu’au cours des dernières années, une troisième catégorie récente a fait son apparition, qui axe son analyse sur les dimensions "soft" (au niveau collectif). Ce clivage limite la portée et la capacité explicative des études empiriques sur les facteurs de succès et d’échec du transfert de connaissances. Pour combler ce manque d’études, nous proposons une grille d’analyse multi-niveaux tenant compte des "macro" facteurs, "micro" facteurs et "soft" facteurs simultanément. Ce cadre théorique permet d’envisager le transfert de connaissances dans le processus d’intégration post-F&A comme un phénomène complexe et "multi-facette" qui regroupe un certain nombre de tâches successives ou simultanées. S’appuyant sur un positionnement épistémologique aménagé, la méthodologie retenue dans notre thèse combine une analyse de cinq études de cas réalisées dans les secteurs français de la haute technologie (analyse intra-cas) et une démarche comparative (analyse inter-cas). Les résultats de cette recherche apportent une contribution majeure par rapport au management des processus d’intégration, en permettant de mettre à jour les facteurs favorisant la réussite du transfert de connaissances. / Considering the high failure rate recorded by a good number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), knowledge transfer seems to be a determining factor in the integration process among merging enterprises. The empirical literature on the transfer of knowledge in M&A tends to divide up into two distinct categories: on the one hand, "macro" studies (at inter-organizational level) and on the other hand, "micro" studies (at individual’s level). Yet, a looming third category has been scored recently, which focuses its analysis on "soft" dimensions (at collective level). This scission restricts the scope and explanatory capacities of empirical studies upon the success and failure factors of knowledge transfer. To make up for this gap, we suggest a multi-level analytical grid taking "macro" factors, "micro" factors and "soft" factors simultaneously into account. This theoretical framework allows the transfer of knowledge in the post-M&A integration process to be considered as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon gathering a number of successive and simultaneous tasks. Hinging on an adapted epistemic positioning, the methodology retained for our thesis combines an analysis of five case studies carried out in the French sectors of high technology (intra-case analysis) with a comparative approach (intra-case analysis). The findings of this research bring about a major contribution to the management of integration processes, while enabling the factors favoring knowledge transfer to be updated

The diploma thesis discusses the phenomenon of tutorials uploaded on the most visited server for viewing and sharing video content nowadays - YouTube. The term tutorial here is used for referring to the specific instructional video content, which primarily aims to show, by means of the step by step illustration, how to proceed within particular activity that usually requires to adopt a certain extent of specialized knowledge or skills. At the same time, the attention is focused on the graphic design and fine art tutorials. The main goal of the thesis is to answer following question: what motivations might internet users have both for the reception and for the production of tutorials. In other words, the thesis is oriented on searching for the highest possible amount of motives that can lead to the viewing as well as to the shooting of this specific media content. Therefore, this requires examining a given field from two different perspectives: from the perspective of receiving viewers and from the perspective of video makers. Whole thesis structure is then subordinated to these two perspectives. The first part introduces the relevant theoretical approaches related to the tutorial reception/production, whereas the second practical part is devoted to the presentation of particular motivation...

The central interest of this work consists of the modeling of the transference of knowledge as diffusion process through a unidimensional qualitative analysis. This model is considered as a suggested approach to get interesting relations, particularly the relative importance of the excellent variable: generation of knowledge, transference of knowledge, speed of learning and the formation of the knowledge chain. It estimates the existence of the knowledge sources such as: institutions of research, suppliers, specialists, users, consumers and deliverers who will contribute to the favorable development of innovation. This model of diffusion will help to possibly understand the process of transference of knowledge between groups belonging to a certain segment of the same society or the process of interaction between different societies. Starting for the explanation of the theory reasonable, and based in the laws of the physics, that is, that it does not take the contradictions in the real and virtual direction, it is possible the identification of the excellent variable of the model of transference of the knowledge and appropriate correlation between them. / O interesse central desse trabalho consiste na Modelagem da Transferência de Conhecimento visto como um processo difusivo através de uma análise qualitativa unidimensional. Esse modelo é considerado como uma aproximação sugerida para obter relações interessantes, particularmente a importância relativa das variáveis relevantes: geração de conhecimento, transferência de conhecimento, velocidade de aprendizado e a formação da cadeia de conhecimento. Pressupõe a existência das fontes de conhecimento tais como: instituições de pesquisa, provedores, especialistas, usuários, consumidores e distribuidores que contribuirão para o desenvolvimento favorável da inovação. Esse modelo de difusão ajudará compreender o processo de transferência de conhecimento entre grupos pertencendo a um certo segmento da mesma sociedade ou possivelmente o processo de interação entre diferentes sociedades. Começando pela explicação da teoria plausível, e baseado nas leis da física, isto é, que não leva a contradições no sentido real e virtual, é possível a identificação das variáveis relevantes do modelo de transferência do conhecimento e uma apropriada correlação entre elas.

Before 1950, the Chinese automobile industry did not exist, let alone manufacturing passenger cars. Currently, the Chinese automobile market has become the largest market in the world. Chinese companies have launched their own brand of passenger cars to compete with other international companies in the world only in 30 years. In our research, we analysed the development of the Chinese automobile industry from the perspective of knowledge transfer. This study employed qualitative method to conduct the research and a Chinese automobile company was taken as an example. To analyse the process of knowledge transfer, we created an analytical model which is based on previous research. The primary data to test the model comes from three interviews, which were conducted with employees working as manager and engineer in the Chinese automobile industry. The secondary data was collected to complement the primary data. All data were used to present a holistic view of the process researched. Our results show that the rapid growth began with the attention of the Chinese government who set the Chinese automobile industry as the "pillar industry" of the Chinese economy. Then, the rapid development of the Chinese automobile industry greatly depends on the process of cross-border knowledge transfer, which is significantly influenced by the Chinese government. Our main contribution is that the process of knowledge transfer can work well within an environment controlled by the government, in spite of lacking the enablers examined in previous studies (e.g. trust). Another contribution is the analytical model we created to analyse the whole process of knowledge transfer.

Introduction : À la suite d’une absence du travail en raison d’un trouble musculosquelettique (TMS), plusieurs travailleurs font un retour progressif au travail (RPAT). Cette pratique comporte plusieurs avantages, mais pose également des défis dans sa mise en application pour les entreprises. L’objectif de l’étude était d’offrir un outil adapté aux employeurs pour les soutenir dans la gestion des RPAT d’individus s’étant absentés en raison d’un TMS. L’étude poursuivait deux objectifs : 1) adapter un outil existant destiné aux professionnels de la réadaptation (Guide d’évaluation de la marge de manœuvre [MM]) et 2) en établir son acceptabilité auprès des utilisateurs potentiels (UP). Méthode : Un devis multiméthode a été utilisé et s’est actualisé en trois étapes. 1) La première étape consistait à adapter l’outil original en regard des résultats d’une revue critique de la littérature portant sur les caractéristiques favorisant l’adoption des guides par les UP. 2) La deuxième étape était de consulter un groupe d’experts en réadaptation au travail, familier avec le guide original et collaborant avec les UP, à l’aide d’une adaptation de la technique de recherche de l'information par l'animation d'un groupe d'experts (TRIAGE). Cette consultation s’est faite en deux phases : un sondage à compléter individuellement et une rencontre de groupe de consensus. Pour le sondage, un questionnaire auto-administré a été utilisé, avant la rencontre de groupe, pour établir le niveau d’accord des experts avec la pertinence, l’exhaustivité, la clarté, l’apparence visuelle et la convivialité de la première version de l’outil adapté. Des propositions ont été faites par les experts pour les énoncés ayant obtenu un score d’accord de deux ou moins et ont été traitées dans une rencontre de groupe, jusqu’à l’obtention d’un consensus sur les modifications à apporter. 3) La troisième étape visait à établir l’acceptabilité de la dernière version de l’outil adapté auprès des UP. Pour ce faire, des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès de dyades composées de coordonnateurs de retour au travail et de supérieurs immédiats d’une même entreprise. Une analyse thématique du verbatim des entrevues a été réalisée. Résultats : 1) À partir de 13 publications, quatre grandes caractéristiques (clarté, format, applicabilité et utilité) ont été relevées de la revue critique. 2) Neuf ergothérapeutes (huit femmes et un homme, expérience moyenne de 12,17 ans) sont ensuite arrivés à un consensus de 20 modifications portant sur trois sections de l’outil adapté qui a mené à une deuxième version comportant un guide d’instructions de 22 pages et une grille de planification recto-verso. 3) Les 15 UP consultés (neuf femmes et six hommes provenant principalement de grandes entreprises de secteurs variés) ont globalement jugé l’outil acceptable. Ils ont reconnu, notamment, qu’il permettait d’opérationnaliser les bonnes pratiques de retour au travail, de standardiser la gestion des RPAT et d’inclure plus systématiquement le travailleur dans la démarche. Ils ont également identifié quelques changements mineurs à apporter, dont l’ajout de recommandations concernant la préparation des collègues et celui d’avoir un format plus court. Conclusion : Par l’adaptation du guide d’évaluation de la MM, cette étude a permis d’offrir un outil destiné et adapté aux employeurs, en tenant compte à la fois des données probantes et d’un consensus d’experts, ce qui semble avoir contribué à son acceptabilité par les UP. L’outil adapté comble un réel besoin au sein des entreprises et des études supplémentaires pourraient être menées pour améliorer son format et créer une version transdiagnostique. / Abstract: Purpose: To facilitate a return to work for workers being on a sick leave following a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), many physicians prescribe a gradual return to work (GRTW), which poses numerous challenges for workplaces. The aim of this study was to provide employers with an adapted tool to support them in managing GRTWs following a MSD. The study had two objectives: 1) adapt an existing tool intended for rehabilitation professionals (Guide for estimation of margin of manoeuvre) and 2) establish the acceptability of the adapted tool with potential users (PUs). Methods: A mixed methods design was used and carried out in three phases. 1) The first step was to adapt the original tool by taking into account the results of a critical review of the literature on the characteristics fostering PU’s adoption of guides. 2) The second step was to consult a group of expert practitioners familiar with the original guide and who worked with the PUs, using an adaptation of the Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts (TRIAGE). This consultation was done in two phases: a survey to be completed individually, and a consensus group meeting. For the survey, a self-administered questionnaire was used, prior to the group meeting, to establish the level of agreement of the experts with the pertinence, exhaustiveness, clarity, visual appeal and user-friendliness of the first version of the adapted tool. The proposals made regarding statements that obtained mean agreement scores of two or less were then addressed in a group meeting, until consensus was reached on the changes to be made. 3) The third step was to establish the acceptability of the latest version of the adapted tool with the PUs. To do so, dyads composed of a return-to-work coordinator and a direct supervisor from the same company were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview guide. A thematic analysis of the verbatim transcript was performed. Results: 1) From 13 publications, four main characteristics (clarity, format, applicability, and usefulness) were identified from the critical review. 2) Nine occupational therapists expert (eight women and one man, mean experience of 12.17 years) reached a consensus on 20 modifications covering three sections, which yielded a second version of the adapted tool comprising a 22-pages instruction guide and a two-sided planning worksheet. 3) The 15 PUs consulted (nine women and six men mainly from large companies from various sectors) found the tool acceptable overall. They recognized that the developed tool allowed them to standardize the management of the GRTW, include the worker more systematically in the process, and operationalize the best return-to-work practices. They also identified a few minor changes to make, including recommendations for preparing colleagues and shortening the format. Conclusion: By adapting the Guide for estimation of margin of manoeuvre, this study provided a tool that was designed and adapted to employers, taking into account both evidence-based data and expert consensus, which seems to have contributed to its acceptability by PUs. The adapted tool fills a real need within companies and further studies could be carried out to improve its format and create a transdiagnostic version.