O avanço tecnológico faz com que simulações e experimentos computacionais sejam alternativas atraentes para estudar cientificamente princípios fundamentais de sistemas reais. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido buscando uma metodologia para encontrar um modelo de transmissão de conhecimento (competência) coerente com os comportamentos observados em campo na área de psicologia comparada que estuda primatas não humanos. O experimento visa apoiar os pesquisadores do Laboratório de Etologia Cognitiva do Instituto de Psicologia da USP que analisam os processos de aprendizagem de quebra de cocos, através da transferência de informações em um grupo de macacos prego que habitam uma ilha no Parque Ecológico do Tiete em São Paulo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo computacional, implantado junto a uma plataforma de simulação, para avaliar experimentos virtuais de transmissão de conhecimento em macacos prego, analisando a influência de atividades periféricas sobre uma atividade específica (quebra de cocos). Além disso, a tese se propõe a discutir a coerência entre dados observados em campo e aqueles produzidos pela plataforma computacional. Embora as atividades periféricas não estejam diretamente relacionadas com a atividade específica do conhecimento a ser transmitido, contribuem indiretamente para isso, sendo este um tema de interesse da tese. O modelo desenvolvido trata tanto da proposição dos mecanismos de busca por uma matriz de transferência de conhecimento, como de um ambiente para simulação do sitio habitado pelos macacos, dando subsídios para ajuste e avaliação desta matriz (coeficientes que traduzem a importância de cada relação entre macacos nas suas diversas atividades). A plataforma computacional é alimentada com dados reais, que servem ainda como referencia para comparação com os resultados computacionais obtidos. A difusão do comportamento ocorre através da rede social considerando a proximidade entre os primatas (seus encontros). Cabe ressaltar que a simulação do comportamento dos indivíduos numa sociedade ocorre sobre um sistema matemático que não é capaz de representar suas propriedades mentais, nem de forma fiel o seu comportamento. Assim, o comportamento dos agentes são naturalmente limitados às características retratadas em modelos computacionais, de modo que os modelos mentais desses agentes e seus correspondentes comportamentos sociais são naturalmente simplificações da realidade. / Technological advances allow simulations and computational experiment to be attractive alternatives to proceed with scientific studies of some fundamental principles of real systems. This work was developed searching for a methodology to find a coherent model of knowledge (competence) transfer, in the study area of behavioral psychology of non-human primates. The experiment intends to assist researchers from the Laboratory of Cognitive Ethology of the Psychology Institute from USP, involved with the analysis of coconut break learning processes, based on knowledge transfer of a monkey group living on an island at Tiete Ecology Park, in Sao Paulo. The goal is the development of a computational model, implemented on a simulation platform, to assess virtual experiments on knowledge transfer in monkeys, evaluating the influence of peripheral activities on another specific one (coconut break). Furthermore, this thesis discusses the coherence between real and simulated data. Although secondary activities are not directly related to the specific one, there are evidences that they play a contribution role, a subject of this thesis too. The developed model considers both, the mechanism used to evolve and evaluate the knowledge transfer matrix (whose coefficients reflect the importance of each monkey relationship in their various activities). The computational platform is feed with real data, used also as a reference for comparison with simulation results. The behavior diffusion is performed inside a social network considering primates proximities (meetings). It is worth mentioning that the simulation runs on top of mathematical substrate not able to take into account all mental properties neither with fidelity all nuances of the social behavior. Therefore, the behavior of the agents in the simulation stage is constrained by those characteristics embedded in the used computational models, in such a way that their mental models and consequent behavior are naturally simplifications of the reality.

Appuyée sur une enquête ethnographique d’orientation sociologique dans sept écoles primaires parisiennes socialement contrastées, cette thèse s’efforce d’expliquer la permanence du phénomène de reproduction sociale malgré les profondes transformations intervenues dans l’école primaire depuis les années 1960. L’école est en effet désormais « ouverte » à des activités diverses encadrées par des acteurs variés porteurs de logiques parfois divergentes. Pour soutenir l’analyse, la notion de « curriculum transparent » est introduite, qui désigne la façon dont cette école mosaïque attend des enfants qu’ils interprètent les prescriptions pour les transformer en activité. Il est alors possible de souligner la place centrale que deux opérations occupent. La première est la synthèse d’expériences hétérogènes qui permet aux enfants de tirer des enseignements de l’activité réalisée dans des contextes très différents. La seconde consiste en la traduction d’une logique en une autre et rend le dialogue entre ces différentes activités possible. Certains enfants parviennent ainsi à percevoir l’ancrage disciplinaire de projets thématiques ou les apprentissages que recèlent les activités ludiques, générant une solidarité qui donne sens à la division du travail scolaire. Mais d’autres cloisonnent les différentes logiques, tendent à privilégier en classe les tâches sur l’activité et ne semblent envisager aucun bénéfice scolaire des activités réalisées en dehors de la classe. Le portrait est alors esquissé d’une école qui, malgré la volonté officielle affichée, renonce à « affilier » une partie des enfants, entretenant le risque contemporain de délitement de la cohésion sociale. / This thesis is based on a sociological survey with an ethnological methodology carried out within a sample of seven Parisian primary schools socially diversified. It aims at explaining the persistence of a social reproduction scheme in spite of numerous changes that occurred in primary schools since the 50’s. School is indeed now « open » to heterogeneous activities taken in charge by various stakeholders sometimes led by different logics. The concept of “transparent curriculum” is brought up to sustain the analysis. It refers to the way this “mosaic school” expects children to convert the prescriptions into activities. At this point, two processes are at stake: first is the synthesis of heterogeneous experiences that allows children to take benefit of an activity performed within very different contexts. Other consists in translating one logic into another, thus enabling the comparison between these activities. On the one hand, some children manage to perceive the discipline’s roots of thematic projects or the hidden knowledge at work in recreational activities, thus generating a “solidarity” that makes sense in the school division of work. On the other hand, other children keep the different logics apart, tending to focus, in the classroom, on tasks rather than on activities and acting as if there were no scholar benefit to be taken from the activities outside the classroom. The thesis thus gives a picture of a school which, in spite of its official will, gives up with part of the children, keeping up the contemporary risk of a social cohesion breakdown.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-04-27T14:11:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Emir José Redaelli.pdf: 2476963 bytes, checksum: f9f6b30e374c82e36d2ec4db843ca78a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-27T14:11:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Emir José Redaelli.pdf: 2476963 bytes, checksum: f9f6b30e374c82e36d2ec4db843ca78a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-12 / Nenhuma / Esta tese trata do desenvolvimento dos canais de distribuição e vendas, através da transferência de conhecimentos pela análise do impacto das ações do fabricante e as repercussões no desempenho dos canais. Desenvolvimento de distribuidores é considerado como qualquer esforço do fabricante com seus distribuidores para incrementar os conhecimentos e as competências em vendas e nas operações para contribuir com o alcance das metas de distribuição de produtos, planejadas pelo fabricante. Os pilares para o repasse de conhecimento são o monitoramento do desempenho e o envolvimento direto do fabricante com seus canais, e vice versa. Esse envolvimento gera integração, que é a base das trocas de conhecimentos específicos existentes no fabricante, e que tem impacto direto nas atividades de distribuição. Os conhecimentos repassados impactam no desempenho operacional e no desempenho geral do canal. Os fundamentos teóricos que embasam os modelos proposto são os mesmos que têm sido utilizados recentemente nos estudos do desenvolvimento de fornecedores. Para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho foi feita uma pesquisa junto ao setor metal mecânico automotivo de bens de capital do Brasil. Uma pesquisa foi desenvolvida a partir de um processo de estratificação junto aos fabricantes. O modelo teórico foi testado com a utilização de técnicas de estatística multivariada e por Modelagem de Equações Estruturais, na qual foram testadas cinco hipóteses diferentes de pesquisa. Os resultados sugerem que existe uma relação entre a transferência de conhecimentos, via monitoramento do desempenho, e pelo envolvimento direto dos fabricantes com seus canais, no desempenho operacional e geral do canal. Este estudo contribui para o aumento de conhecimentos sobre o tema, pois embasa onde os fabricantes podem fazer investimentos em iniciativas como antecedentes relacionadas a aumentos de desempenho em seus canais de distribuição e vendas. / This thesis refers to the development of the supply and selling chain channels through the transference of knowledge, by analyzing the impact of manufacturer actions and its repercussions in channel development. Supplier development is considered to be any manufacturer effort with its distributors to improve the selling knowledge and competency, as well as in its operations to contribute to the achievement of the goal supply chain distribution planned by the manufacturer. The pillars of the knowledge transference are performance monitoring and direct manufacturer evolvement with its channels and vice versa. This evolvement generates integration, which is the base of the specific knowledge trade that exists in the manufacturer and which has a direct impact in the distribution activities. The spread knowledge has an impact through the operational and general channel development. The theoretical basis proposed in this model are the same recently used in supply chain development studies. The research of this thesis has been made in the metal mechanic automotive capital goods of Brazil. The survey has been developed from the stratification process within the manufacturer. The theoretical model was tested with multivariate statistical technique and structural equation modeling, in which were tested five different research hypothesis. A relation between the transference of knowledge through monitoring the performance and the direct evolvement of the supplier with its channels, in operational and general channel development, has been suggested by the results of this survey. This study contributes to improve the knowledge about this feature, because it serves as base to manufacturers make investments in initiatives as antecedents related to performance increase in its supply and selling chain channels.

A private, nonprofit university in Mexico invested millions of U.S. dollars in a strategic initiative to build and operate technology-knowledge transfer parks (TKTP) with the mission of supporting the development of Mexican society's entrepreneurial capabilities. The university, however, lacked an assessment policy for gauging the effectiveness of the TKTP initiative. The purpose of this study was to explore stakeholder values about TKTP effectiveness in order to inform future assessment of TKTPs. The triple helix conceptual framework of collaboration between universities, business and industry, and government informed the design of this study. The central question for this study sought to clarify what stakeholders perceive to make TKTPs effective. The study employed stratified random sampling and cross-sectional stakeholder survey data (N = 129). Data analysis included descriptive statistics to present common themes about TKTP stakeholder values, as well as ANOVA to discern significant differences in TKTP valuations between the stakeholder groups. A key finding was that stakeholder groups lack enough information to assess whether the university achieved its original objectives by using the TKTP initiative. Other findings revealed that the stakeholder groups agreed on several criteria for TKTP assessment. A policy recommendation for TKTP assessment, based on the research findings, is provided as part of the project component of this study. This project study supports positive social change by encouraging the region's transformation into a more entrepreneurial, innovative, and knowledge-based economy through continued but more accountable use of TKTPs in Mexico.

Companies globally have lost profit each year because of the lack of intra-organizational knowledge sharing. The purpose of this descriptive, multiple case study was to explore the knowledge management practice strategies that project management business leaders use to improve knowledge sharing in project-based organizations. Nine project management business leaders from 4 project-based organizations in metro Atlanta, Georgia completed individual Skype/phone semistructured interviews, and 5 project team members completed an in-person focus group discussion and an interview questionnaire. Knowledge management was the conceptual framework for this study, the basis for understanding the world around project management business leaders, and the implementation of knowledge management practice strategies for knowledge sharing. The individual interviews, focus group discussion, and interview questionnaire yielded the lived experiences of project management business leaders and the perceptions of project team members regarding knowledge sharing in their project-based organizations. The data were analyzed through data source triangulation and cross-case synthesis, which resulted in various themes such as communication, practices to overcome barriers, and a centralized resource center. The findings of this study may effect positive social change and the improvement of knowledge sharing by promoting the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, cultures, or societies.

More than 35% of the U.S. workforce is composed of Baby Boomers who are eligible to retire within the next 5 years. Despite the potential loss of critical expertise, a gap in knowledge retention exists in small consulting businesses. The purpose of this case study was to explore effective strategies for retaining the tacit and explicit knowledge of retiring employees, to avoid operational knowledge drain. Exploration ensued through semistructured interviews at 2 small consulting businesses in the Washington, DC metropolitan area that are adept at innovatively retaining requisite knowledge. The conceptual frameworks of Bass' transformational leadership and Nonaka's knowledge creation led to the identification of strategies to retain tacit and explicit knowledge of retiring Baby Boomers. Seven small business leaders addressed questions on knowledge types, knowledge stimulation and sharing methods, and retention strategies to provide meaningful responses to the knowledge retention phenomenon. Data analysis included the Colaizzi and modified van Kaam methods of mining, categorizing, organizing, and describing participants' statements. Subsequently, the themes that emerged during the analysis identified reward, communication, and motivation as strategies for knowledge-share and transfer. Succession planning, mentoring, documentation, training, and knowledge sharing also emerged as effective methods for knowledge retention. The findings will contribute to social change by illuminating the roles effective leaders practice to influence and foster knowledge management, offering insight to other small businesses having difficulties remaining sustainable as the operational knowledge of Baby Boomers becomes unavailable as they retire.

Changing workforce demographics, combined with a gap in knowledge and skills between older and younger generations, threatens small business viability. The presence of four generations in the workforce, where 1 in 5 employees are 55 years and older, presents an unprecedented challenge for small business leaders planning for succession with a multigenerational workforce. The purpose of this case study was to explore the effect of Baby Boomers' presence on small business leaders' ability to retain and transfer knowledge to successive generations. Using snowball and purposeful sampling techniques, 36 small business leaders in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area participated. The conceptual framework included the theories of groupthink, narrative paradigm, collaboration, stakeholder, and the swift theory of trust. Data collection occurred using e-mail to solicit study participants to provide their experiences concerning generational succession via a Web-based, electronic questionnaire. Data analysis entailed using a modified van Kaam method to identify 2 main themes for small business leaders to consider: (a) generational differences reflect small business leaders' challenges and (b) multigenerational succession affects the bottom line. Member checking, transcription review of questionnaire responses, and triangulation of data with existing theories strengthened the validity of study findings and themes. Study recommendations offered strategies for managing knowledge supportive of planned generational succession. This study's findings may contribute to social change by offering small business leaders strategies to facilitate a collaborative, knowledge management culture that may mitigate the effects of changing workforce demographics on small business viability.

The prominent shifts towards greater flexibility in work arrangements as well as in organizational forms have had profound effects on the labor market for engineers, and given rise to the technical consulting industry. The technical consulting firm is becoming increasingly important in many technology-based industries, as a growing number of technology-based firms rely on technical consulting firms to produce their outputs. In that respect, the technical consulting firm is an important actor for the organization and development of engineering knowledge, as well as for the transfer of knowledge to and among technology-based firms. However, despite its growing importance, the technical consulting firm has received scant scholarly attention. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to enhance the understanding of the roles of the technical consulting firm and the technical consultants for the transfer of knowledge among problem-solving contexts and client organizations. This thesis is comprised of a compilation of three papers and an extended summary. It draws upon a qualitative single-case study in one of Scandinavia’s leading technical consulting firms. This thesis takes a multilevel perspective, and utilizes an embedded case study design to study both the organizational and the individual level of analysis. In total, it builds on 54 interviews with managers and consultants, 14 observations of a competence development program for engineers who are in the beginning of their careers as technical consultants, and 2 workshops with managers. This thesis identifies two primary capabilities, developed through the interaction between the firm and the individual level: swift transition and knowledge cycling. The findings indicate that the link between the respective capabilities creates the foundation for the successful organization of engineering knowledge. Hence, these capabilities illustrate that the technical consulting firm has other roles to play than merely solving the problem of numerical and functional flexibility. Moreover, this thesis develops the process of knowledge cycling. The knowledge cycling process addresses the role of the individual consultant in the transfer of knowledge within and among problem-solving contexts, and consists of three distinct knowledge processes found prominent during the different phases of a consulting assignment: (1) knowledge acquisition, (2) knowledge integration, and (3) knowledge transfer. Furthermore, this thesis provides insight into how formal training affects the technical consultants’ ability to transfer knowledge. The findings suggest that this ability is developed through a three-stage process: (1) identifying the core of an assignment, (2) broadening the scope of action, and (3) becoming more self-confident in the role of consultant.

Background: The globalization has made organizations knowledge based and knowledge as a key resource in order to keep up with the changing market. Therefore, knowledge management became increasingly important which also was customer-centric throughout the whole supply chain in order to create customer value. With knowledge management being important, transfer barriers arose and as the increased collection of customer data was also evident as a result of organizations becoming tmore customer-centric and the rapid changes in technology. As a result of this, privacy issues about the data of the customer arose which lead to the implementation of GDPR. Research Questions: What are the challenges and possibilities of the processes of customer knowledge transfer between organizations in a distributor-dealer relationship? In what way has the implementation of GDPR affected the transfer of customer knowledge between a distributor and a dealer? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how customer knowledge is maintained and transferred between organizations within a distributor-dealer relationship. In addition, the paper aim to investigate what forces affects the processes of transferring customer knowledge within these types of relationships. Furthermore, the study investigates what effects transfer barriers and the implementation of GDPR has on customer knowledge transfer within a distributor-dealer relationship. Method: The paper investigated two cases. One case entailed one distributor and one dealer which had a relationship through a common supply chain. The qualitative data was obtained through 13 semi-structured interviews. Conclusion: This study proves that customer knowledge transfer has both challenges and possibilities in a supply chain with a distributor and dealer relationship. Furthermore, there are several factors that affect this transfer such as communication, customer relationship management and transfer barriers. In addition, GDPR has barely any impact on the customer knowledge transfer. However, it does have an impact on the processes of organizations and can be seen as an opportunity for organizations even if organizations sometimes choose to see the negative aspects.

No description available.