In a society dependent on knowledge, information and information technology (IT), studying IT-oriented knowledge intensive firms becomes particularly interesting. Previous research has for the most part studied management consulting firms as well as how knowledge management and knowledge management initiatives can support or inhibit the growth of organizations. To further progress this line of research the study intends to fill a gap in research concerning consultants focusing on IT-solutions. Consequently, this study has two equally important purposes. Firstly, the study intends to investigate the application of Ikujiro Nonaka’s Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory on new empirical data. Secondly, this study aims to explain learning processes in the IT-consulting trade. The empirical data used is taken from eight interviews and three qualitative surveys from three different IT-consulting firms in Sweden. By using a multiple-case study design this study simultaneously presents a broad perspective of the IT-consulting trade and a deeper understanding of the knowledge sharing processes used in the different cases. The study has resulted in three major conclusions. (1) There are different types of digital tools that are important for knowledge sharing in organizations. These are digital conversation-rooms, digital pin boards and internal databases. (2) The authors also identify six conditions that are important for knowledge sharing. These conditions are proven to have a complex relationship with the context in which knowledge is shared and the consultants’ choice of digital tools. (3) Lastly the Organizational Knowledge Creation Theory is found to be insufficient in describing the knowledge sharing processes in IT-consulting firms, especially regarding the relation between the socialization and externalization processes. Proposals for future research in relation to the findings are presented.

Det finns idag en utbredd förståelse för att företagets inneboende kunskap och kompetens utgör en allt viktigare roll för att kunna möta framtida utmaningar. Att utveckla kompetens och utbyta kunskap kan därför ses som centralt i de flesta företag, men detta framhävs som än mer betydelsefullt i familjeföretag eftersom kompetensen är direkt nödvändig för dess framtida överlevnad och utveckling. Det som skiljer familjeföretag från övriga är den familjära anknytningen vilken sätter sin prägel på hur företaget drivs samt dess kultur. Studiens syfte har varit att undersöka hur kunskapsöverföringen ser ut i mindre familjeföretag. Den forskning vilken genomsyrat denna studie har varit flerfallsstudie där djupgående granskningar av tre företag har skett. Insamlingen för det empiriska materialet har skett genom semistrukturerade intervjuer och studiens metodologiska tillvägagångssätt har följt en abduktiv ansats. Utifrån analysresultaten framgick det att kunskapsöverföringen i alla tre företag främst sker genom sociala samspel. I företag C förefinns dock även kompletterande metoder i form av bland annat arbetsinstruktioner vilka de övriga företagen uppvisade en avsaknad av. Denna avsaknad kan medföra en risk att kunskaper dels försvinner eller att dessa inte utvecklas. Den familjära inblandningen inverkar på samtliga företag och sätter sin prägel på bland annat företagskulturen, då det har framkommit att de genomsyras av en inbjudande och lättsam stämning vilken inbjuder till idé- och kunskapsinteraktion. Det har även uppvisat sig förefinnas svårigheter i samtliga företag att helt hålla isär de privata och professionella rollerna, vilket har visat sig medföra såväl positiva som negativa effekter på kunskapsöverföringen. / Today, there is a widespread understanding that the company’s inherent knowledge and competence play an increasingly important role in order to meet future challenges. Developing competence and exchanging knowledge can therefore be seen as central in most companies, but this is emphasized as even more important in family businesses because competence is directly necessary for its future survival and development. What distinguishes family businesses from the rest, is the familiar affiliation which sets its mark on how the company is run and its culture. The aim of the study has been to investigate how the knowledge transfer appears in smaller family businesses. The research that permeated this study has been a multi-case study in which in-depth reviews of three companies have taken place. The collection of the empirical material has been done through semi-structured interviews and the methodological procedure of the study has followed an abductive approach. Based on the analysis results, it appeared that the knowledge transfer in all three companies mainly takes place through social interaction. In company C, however, there are also supplementary methods in the form of, among other things, work instructions which the other companies showed a lack of. This absence may entail a risk that knowledge will disappear or not develop. The family involvement affects all companies and sets its mark on the corporate culture, as it has come to light that the cultures are permeated by an inviting and easy-going atmosphere which invites to idea- and knowledge interaction. There have also been found to be difficulties in all companies to completely disassociate the private and professional roles, which has proved to bring both positive and negative effects on the knowledge transfer.

Background – Circular business models, CBMs, are an emerging topic of interest within the textile and clothing, T&C, sector. They provide a new framework to tackle current environmental and social issues by redesigning a linear model previously base on the assumption of endless availability of fossil fuels and other natural resources. CBMs change these underlying assumptions in order to be regenerative and waste-less. A company´s knowledge has to be aligned with the overarching paradigm and assumptions that guide the business model, hence, the process of creating new knowledge to sustain this shift, appears to be essential. Knowledge creation enables businesses to continuously adapt to new contexts and prevent them from becoming obsolete. As such, it constitutes an enabler to develop the internal capabilities of companies to innovate. Purpose - This study is focused on understanding how knowledge is created within T&C companies in the shift from a linear business model to a circular one. It is of interest for the study to uncover the ways in which knowledge about circularity is created and translated into business practices. Further, it also expects to explore the companies’ main internal barriers identified in this process. Methodology – The research was conducted through a single case study with an abductive approach, building on the theoretical perspective of Nonaka and Takeuchi’s knowledge creation theory and the SECI model for knowledge conversion. Semi-structured interviews with Dutch denim company employees were the basis for collecting primary data, supplemented by secondary data gathered through archival review. The data was analysed qualitatively through thematic content analysis. Findings – Results show that knowledge creation is enabled by personal motivation, company focus on circularity and long-lasting business relationships. Several knowledge creation practices related to the dimensions of socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation are identified, while different levels of process and knowledge complexity can be observed within each dimension. Internal barriers hindering circular knowledge creation relate to the complexity of circular concepts, individuals´ time, personal interest and previous knowledge on the topic. System-oriented internal barriers relate to finance, scale and company focus. Further, the role of regulations, as an external system-oriented barrier, is considered of relevance for this research. Practical implications & Research limitations – This thesis creates new insights into a relatively unexplored area, knowledge creation processes in the context of CBMs. Further the specific delimitation to the denim segment within the T&C sector, shares experience and guidance with practical implications for knowledge management, from companies within a segment which has a high degree of product and process innovation compared to other T&C segments.

E-learning became the trend in view of the fact that computer technology and the rapidity of globalization had revolutionized the atmosphere of learning as well as education more than ever during the 21st century. The core intention of this study is to present the correlation between e-learning environment and learning outcome based on knowledge creation model from the view point of knowledge management. The SECI model suggested by Nonaka & Takuichi (1995) and Ba model suggested by Nonaka & Konno (1998) were used to divide e-learning environment into four divisions including original ba, dialoguing ba, systemizing ba, and exercising ba. Each diverse division supported a certain knowledge creation behavior counting socialization, externalization, combination, as well as internalization. Designed questionnaires were given to gather study information and further statistic data in order to observe whether knowledge creation behaviors related to learning outcomes. The results demonstrated that four e-learning environments facilitated the four knowledge creation behaviors; along with these knowledge creation behaviors kept up a correspondence with learning outcome. To conclude, the findings of this study supported both SECI model and Ba model. In addition, the final results also proved both theories worked in virtual along with the realistic world.

The emergence of knowledge management (KM) as a practical business discipline is connected to the growing realisation that knowledge is an essential resource for organisations to retain sustainable competitive advantages. The SECI model, proposed by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) best embraces the nature of KM and of knowledge conversion. This model uses four processes of knowledge conversion: socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation to create knowledge in organisations. A review of the relevant literature, however, suggests that the application of the SECI model is suffering from a lack of research in banking, even though this is a knowledge-intensive industry. Since the model was driven from Japanese values, the applicability of the model in different cultural contexts is also arguable. This study aims to examine the use of the SECI model in Egyptian banks and its effect on the innovation process. To examine the model in a different cultural context, Egypt as the biggest Arab country was a suitable research site. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to achieve the research aims. The qualitative data were used to triangulate the quantitative data by detailing the SECI conversion process, and its relation to innovation. Two hundred and ten self-administered questionnaires were used to investigate to what extent Egyptian banks perform the SECI and innovation activities, and 26 semi-structured face-to-face interviews provided details about how the Egyptian banks perform these activities. The survey data were analysed by using Predictive Analytic SoftWare (PASW). Different types of statistical applications were used, namely factor analysis, Cronbach’ alpha, descriptive analysis, multiple regression, t-test and one-way ANOVA. Content analysis was used to analyse the interview data were by looking for noticeable patterns to be connected to the research framework. The findings indicate that the SECI processes were used for knowledge creation in Egyptian banks. However, some self-imposed limitations minimised the benefits of the socialisation and externalisation processes in creating and sharing knowledge. In contrast, internalisation and combination faced fewer limitations, revealing that Egyptian banks focus more on formal rather than informal knowledge. Therefore, the study supports the view of the model as being universal, but the use of each process is subject to the cultural context, leadership support, and types of task. The findings also suggest that the SECI processes - whether separate or as a whole - positively influence the innovation process by increasing the generation of ideas for banking services, products and processes. The internalisation process had the most positive influence on innovation, followed by the combination, externalisation and socialisation processes respectively. Many of the product and process innovations in the last few years were due to the introduction of new technologies.

The thesis studies the potential contribution of projects of Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma Specialization for the knowledge development in the participating organizations. Students taking class in compulsory subject Quality Management and Lean Six Sigma Practical were participating in those projects. Mentors from participating organizations were interviewed. The theoretical part of the thesis deals with the history and selected tools of Lean Management. The significance of continuous improvement, as an integral part of Lean Management, is discussed. The thesis describes knowledge management and selected models of knowledge creation and transfer. The practical part includes a description of an employed methodology and interviews results. The thesis concludes a proposal of changes that can result in improvement of projects contribution for the knowledge development in the participating organizations.

<p>The aim of this study was to determine whether or not knowledge was shared and created in the library of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study adopted the SECI model of Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) as its theoretical framework. The service delivery points at the UWC library are as follows:&nbsp / Circulation section, which deals with walk-in&nbsp / users. These are users who, on a daily basis borrow books from and return books to the library. This section normally deals with queries such as users whose library cards are&nbsp / blocked due to outstanding library fines. It comprises front - desk staff, shelf attendants and inter-library loan staff members.&nbsp / Staff members working in the information section (IS)&nbsp / are referred to as faculty librarians (FAC/L&rsquo / s), who are regarded as section heads and liaise with faculties on campus on a regular basis. The information section deals with walk-in&nbsp / users on a daily basis.&nbsp / The other sections, namely cataloguing, acquisition and periodicals, provide mostly &lsquo / behind the scenes&rsquo / services, but their work is of such a nature that&nbsp / users have no access to their sections due to the strict policy with regard to areas of the library in which staff are working with new books and journals. Books and journals that are&nbsp / not on the cataloguing system are kept in the acquisitions and cataloguing section. This also has a significant impact on service delivery in the library. These sections have to&nbsp / ensure that books and journals are processed, in order for users to get access to these resources. This study attempted to answer the following research questions&nbsp / Is there&nbsp / evidence of knowledge sharing and creation in the UWC library? If so, what practices currently exist?&nbsp / How do staff share and create knowledge for service delivery not with general&nbsp / library users, but within and between the acquisitions, cataloguing and information sections?</p>

<p>The aim of this study was to determine whether or not knowledge was shared and created in the library of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study adopted the SECI model of Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) as its theoretical framework. The service delivery points at the UWC library are as follows:&nbsp / Circulation section, which deals with walk-in&nbsp / users. These are users who, on a daily basis borrow books from and return books to the library. This section normally deals with queries such as users whose library cards are&nbsp / blocked due to outstanding library fines. It comprises front - desk staff, shelf attendants and inter-library loan staff members.&nbsp / Staff members working in the information section (IS)&nbsp / are referred to as faculty librarians (FAC/L&rsquo / s), who are regarded as section heads and liaise with faculties on campus on a regular basis. The information section deals with walk-in&nbsp / users on a daily basis.&nbsp / The other sections, namely cataloguing, acquisition and periodicals, provide mostly &lsquo / behind the scenes&rsquo / services, but their work is of such a nature that&nbsp / users have no access to their sections due to the strict policy with regard to areas of the library in which staff are working with new books and journals. Books and journals that are&nbsp / not on the cataloguing system are kept in the acquisitions and cataloguing section. This also has a significant impact on service delivery in the library. These sections have to&nbsp / ensure that books and journals are processed, in order for users to get access to these resources. This study attempted to answer the following research questions&nbsp / Is there&nbsp / evidence of knowledge sharing and creation in the UWC library? If so, what practices currently exist?&nbsp / How do staff share and create knowledge for service delivery not with general&nbsp / library users, but within and between the acquisitions, cataloguing and information sections?</p>

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No. of bitstreams: 1 andresaoliveiraeulalio.pdf: 2217781 bytes, checksum: 3662627824da7bbccac58f868921d671 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-15 / O presente estudo, desenvolvido no âmbito do Mestrado Profissional em Gestão e Avaliação da Educação Pública (PPGP) do Centro de Políticas Públicas e Avaliação da Educação da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora(CAEd/UFJF), analisoucomo ocorre a gestão do conhecimento (GC) nos setores de pagamento das 47 Superintendências Regionais de Ensino (SRE‘s) da Secretaria de Estado de Educação de Minas Gerais, onde a pesquisa foi realizada. Para tanto definiu-se como objetivo geral, identificar os problemas de gestão do conhecimento vivenciados pelos coordenadores de pagamento das SRE‘s no exercício de suas funções no ano de 2016, buscando encontrar possibilidades de intervenção. Dessa forma, pesquisa discutiu como a GC, nos setores de pagamento das SRE‘s, poderia potencializar a construção de uma política de proteção do conhecimento de maneira a contribuir com a preservação da memória institucional no setor, utilizando-se principalmente a teoria desenvolvida por Nonaka e Takeuchi (1997). A metodologia adotada foi o estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa. Como instrumentos, foram aplicados questionários para os coordenadores de pagamento e entrevista para os gestores do sistema de pagamento. Por meio dos dados coletados, foram detectados problemas que revelaram a falta de: (I) padronização de informações, (II) manual de procedimentos, (III) registro do conhecimento produzido no setor de pagamento. Foi ainda detectada a necessidade de proteção do conhecimento para evitar a perda da memória institucional com a saída de servidores mais experientes, seja por desligamento ou aposentadoria. Tendo como parâmetro o diagnóstico realizado, foi desenvolvido um Plano de Ação Educacional que, partindo do planejamento estratégico alinhando com a gestão do conhecimento, busca-se realizar uma mudança na cultura organizacional, modificando a forma de gerir o conhecimento não mais com a predominância da oralidade e da informalidade, mas com registros sistematizados que possibilitem a organização a não perder sua memória corporativa no futuro e garantir que novos servidores possam se apropriar deste conhecimento tácito registrado por seus antecessores, potencializando, assim, a combinação e a internalização, que atuam no conhecimento operacional-sistêmico, e que se mostraram mais frágeis na organização pesquisada. / The present study, developed within the scope of the Professional Master in Management and Evaluation of Public Education (PPGP) of the Center for Public Policies and Education Evaluation of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (CAEd / UFJF), analyzed how knowledge management occurs ) in the payment sectors of the 47 Regional Superintendences of Education (SRE's) of the State Secretariat of Education of Minas Gerais, where the research was carried out. For this purpose, it was defined as a general objective to identify the knowledge management problems experienced by the SRE's payment coordinators in the exercise of their functions in 2016, seeking to find possibilities for intervention. In this way, the research discussed how the CG, in the payment sectors of the SREs, could potentiate the construction of a knowledge protection policy in order to contribute to the preservation of the institutional memory in the sector, using mainly the theory developed by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1997). The methodology adopted was the case study with a qualitative approach. As instruments, questionnaires were applied to the payment and interview coordinators for payment system managers. Through the collected data, problems were detected that revealed the lack of: (I) standardization of information, (II) manual of procedures, (III) registration of knowledge produced in the payment sector. It was also detected the need for protection of knowledge to avoid the loss of institutional memory with the exit of more experienced servers, either by disconnection or retirement. Having as a parameter the diagnosis made, an Educational Action Plan was developed that, starting from the strategic planning aligning with the knowledge management, seeks to realize a change in the organizational culture, modifying the way of managing the knowledge no longer with the predominance of the orality and informality, but with systematized records that enable the organization not to lose its corporate memory in the future and ensure that new servers can appropriate this tacit knowledge registered by its predecessors, thus enhancing the combination and internalization that act in the operational-systemic knowledge, and which were shown to be more fragile in the research organization.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The aim of this study was to determine whether or not knowledge was shared and created in the library of the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study adopted the SECI model of Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) as its theoretical framework. The service delivery points at the UWC library are as follows: Circulation section, which deals with walk-in users. These are users who, on a daily basis borrow books from and return books to the library. This section normally deals with queries such as users whose library cards are blocked due to outstanding library fines. It comprises front - desk staff, shelf attendants and inter-library loan staff members. Staff members working in the information section (IS) are referred to as faculty librarians (FAC/L’s), who are regarded as section heads and liaise with faculties on campus on a regular basis. The information section deals with walk-in users on a daily basis. The other sections, namely cataloguing, acquisition and periodicals, provide mostly ‘behind the scenes’ services, but their work is of such a nature that users have no access to their sections due to the strict policy with regard to areas of the library in which staff are working with new books and journals. Books and journals that are not on the cataloguing system are kept in the acquisitions and cataloguing section. This also has a significant impact on service delivery in the library. These sections have to ensure that books and journals are processed, in order for users to get access to these resources. This study attempted to answer the following research questions Is there evidence of knowledge sharing and creation in the UWC library? If so, what practices currently exist? How do staff share and create knowledge for service delivery not with general library users, but within and between the acquisitions, cataloguing and information sections? / South Africa