As mudanças contemporâneas exigem das organizações maior velocidade de respostas e de resultados. Nesse contexto, as universidades têm sido demandadas a modernizar sua gestão e seus processos, a fim de atingir melhor desempenho em suas atividades, maior eficiência e qualidade no atendimento e na prestação de serviços. Como organizações complexas, que trabalham diretamente com o conhecimento, faz-se necessário que adotem um modelo gerencial para administrar o conhecimento organizacional na preservação da memória dessas instituições. A gestão do conhecimento (GC) é um método que vem ao encontro dessa premissa, representando um valioso recurso estratégico no meio corporativo. A exemplo de outras organizações, grande parte do conhecimento das universidades encontra-se sob o domínio e na experiência de seus colaboradores. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi, a partir das técnicas de GC, realizar um estudo sobre as práticas de compartilhamento de conhecimentos envolvendo os principais setores administrativos vinculados à Direção da Escola de Engenharia (EE) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Para isso, foi proposto um Programa de Compartilhamento de Conhecimentos (PCC) do qual participaram os servidores técnico-administrativos em educação (TAEs) lotados nesses setores A metodologia utilizada envolveu pesquisa-ação, com a utilização de questionário aberto e análise contingencial. Seguindo uma abordagem qualitativa, a análise de dados baseou-se na análise de conteúdo. As análises revelaram informações importantes para a gestão da EE, com relevância não apenas para as atividades dos TAEs, mas também para a comunidade interna e externa da instituição. Essas informações poderão aumentar a eficiência da EE em seus processos administrativos e na identificação, armazenamento, uso e compartilhamento do conhecimento organizacional. As respostas ao instrumento de coleta de dados embasaram a estruturação de um Portal do Conhecimento, produto deste estudo. O trabalho permitiu reunir um conjunto de conhecimentos tácitos, presentes na experiência dos TAEs pesquisados, sendo esses os elementos que serão incorporados ao Portal do Conhecimento, o qual está em elaboração. / Current changes demand organizations to achieve faster responses and results. In this regard, universities have been required to modernize their management and processes in order to achieve better performance in their activities, greater efficiency and quality in service delivery. As complex organizations, working directly with knowledge, they must adopt a managerial model to control such knowledge and perpetuate institutional memory. Methods such as Knowledge Management (KM) meet that premise, and represent a valuable strategic resource in the corporation environment. Like other organizations, a large percentage of this knowledge is under the experience and domain of its collaborators. The purpose of this research was, based on knowledge management techniques, to accomplish a study on the knowledge sharing practices involving the main administrative sectors linked to the Direction of the School of Engineering (EE) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). With that in mind, a Knowledge Sharing Program (PCC) was proposed, with the participation of the technical-administrative servants in education (TAEs) working in these sectors. The used methodology involved action research, employing an open questionnaire and contingency analysis. Following a qualitative approach, data analysis was performed based on content analysis. Results revealed important information for the management of EE, with relevance not only for the activities of the TAEs, but also for the internal and external community of the institution. Such information may increase the efficiency of EE in its administrative processes, as well as in the identification, storage, use and sharing of organizational knowledge. The answers to the instrument of data collection sustain the design of a Knowledge Portal, the resulting product of this study. This work enabled the gathering of tacit knowledge, kept in the experience of the researched TAEs, so as to incorporate such knowledge into the Knowledge Portal that is currently under development.

The Doctoral Thesis builds and tests a theoretical model that evaluates the contribution of shared knowledge and information technology to manufacturing performance. This is achieved through a sectorial research study among Manufacturing, Quality and R&D groups in the global economy era of the 21st century. Theoretically, our research stands uponthe 'knowledge-based theory of the firm'. The theory has received influences from earlier research lines. It is considered to originate from the 'epistemology' of the cognitive philosophers and -through contradiction to the 'transaction cost economics' and the traditional product-based or competitive advantage view-it builds heavily upon the 'resource-based theory'. Starting with an analysis of previous empirical studies and by means of a productive synthesis, we develop the Shared Knowle! dge and Information Technology evaluation model which we later use in order to test the investigation hypotheses. Survey data collected from 51 medium to large sizeindustrial companies with a total of 112 manufacturing groups, representing 5 industrial sectors (alimentation, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical, electro-mechanical,and textile) were analyzed to test the model. A methodology, particularly deployed for the Thesis and the proposed evaluation model, was developed. Its key elements are:(a) Two types of questionnaires, addressing the inter-group relationships andthe performance issues respectively, were developed and pilot tested prior to being used as the principal researchinstruments.(b) Design of the indicators and measures has been carried out using two types of measures, general and multiplicative, for all the variables. Manufacturing group performance has been conceptualized in two parts: operational and service performance. (c) Key-informant methodology has been used for selecting ourresearch responders.(d) Validity threats have been given special attention and three different types of validity criteria are applied. (e) Path analysis, a regression-based technique that permits testing of causal models, has been used. The investigation hypotheses have been tested and found to be fully or partially supported, by the significance -or insignificance- of the relevant paths.(f) Finally, four confirmatory tests have been conducted in order to further secure the validity of the hypotheses.As shared knowledge and information technology (IT) are central points of our investigation, we have focused on the issues of Knowledge Management (KM), and we have purposely directed our research on specific IT Systems for Supporting Collaboration and Knowledge-based Work. Our final target was to connect both shared knowledge and information technology to manufacturing performance, the subject matter of our investigation. Today's global economy era is the environment of our study, so it was under this perspective als! o that: (a) we have examined theinfluences of the globalization phenomenon to the recent information technology developments; (b) we have regarded KM and sharing knowledge in practice as an answer to globalization. Finally, our conclusions are presented together with a reference to the study's limitations and some recommendations for future research. Based on the literature and the results of our research we are demonstrating that the two main findings of the study -the proved significant contributions of (a) shared knowledge to the manufacturing group performance, and (b) information technology to, mainly, the manufacturing group performance and, secondarily, to sharing knowledge- are useful to researchers and the business community alike. Manufacturing, Quality and R&D groups have the opportunity to increase shared knowledge and, in this manner, to positively affect manufacturing performance by developing mutual trust and influence through repeated periods of positive face-to-face or IT-based communication, social interaction and common goal accomplishment.

As mudanças contemporâneas exigem das organizações maior velocidade de respostas e de resultados. Nesse contexto, as universidades têm sido demandadas a modernizar sua gestão e seus processos, a fim de atingir melhor desempenho em suas atividades, maior eficiência e qualidade no atendimento e na prestação de serviços. Como organizações complexas, que trabalham diretamente com o conhecimento, faz-se necessário que adotem um modelo gerencial para administrar o conhecimento organizacional na preservação da memória dessas instituições. A gestão do conhecimento (GC) é um método que vem ao encontro dessa premissa, representando um valioso recurso estratégico no meio corporativo. A exemplo de outras organizações, grande parte do conhecimento das universidades encontra-se sob o domínio e na experiência de seus colaboradores. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi, a partir das técnicas de GC, realizar um estudo sobre as práticas de compartilhamento de conhecimentos envolvendo os principais setores administrativos vinculados à Direção da Escola de Engenharia (EE) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Para isso, foi proposto um Programa de Compartilhamento de Conhecimentos (PCC) do qual participaram os servidores técnico-administrativos em educação (TAEs) lotados nesses setores A metodologia utilizada envolveu pesquisa-ação, com a utilização de questionário aberto e análise contingencial. Seguindo uma abordagem qualitativa, a análise de dados baseou-se na análise de conteúdo. As análises revelaram informações importantes para a gestão da EE, com relevância não apenas para as atividades dos TAEs, mas também para a comunidade interna e externa da instituição. Essas informações poderão aumentar a eficiência da EE em seus processos administrativos e na identificação, armazenamento, uso e compartilhamento do conhecimento organizacional. As respostas ao instrumento de coleta de dados embasaram a estruturação de um Portal do Conhecimento, produto deste estudo. O trabalho permitiu reunir um conjunto de conhecimentos tácitos, presentes na experiência dos TAEs pesquisados, sendo esses os elementos que serão incorporados ao Portal do Conhecimento, o qual está em elaboração. / Current changes demand organizations to achieve faster responses and results. In this regard, universities have been required to modernize their management and processes in order to achieve better performance in their activities, greater efficiency and quality in service delivery. As complex organizations, working directly with knowledge, they must adopt a managerial model to control such knowledge and perpetuate institutional memory. Methods such as Knowledge Management (KM) meet that premise, and represent a valuable strategic resource in the corporation environment. Like other organizations, a large percentage of this knowledge is under the experience and domain of its collaborators. The purpose of this research was, based on knowledge management techniques, to accomplish a study on the knowledge sharing practices involving the main administrative sectors linked to the Direction of the School of Engineering (EE) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). With that in mind, a Knowledge Sharing Program (PCC) was proposed, with the participation of the technical-administrative servants in education (TAEs) working in these sectors. The used methodology involved action research, employing an open questionnaire and contingency analysis. Following a qualitative approach, data analysis was performed based on content analysis. Results revealed important information for the management of EE, with relevance not only for the activities of the TAEs, but also for the internal and external community of the institution. Such information may increase the efficiency of EE in its administrative processes, as well as in the identification, storage, use and sharing of organizational knowledge. The answers to the instrument of data collection sustain the design of a Knowledge Portal, the resulting product of this study. This work enabled the gathering of tacit knowledge, kept in the experience of the researched TAEs, so as to incorporate such knowledge into the Knowledge Portal that is currently under development.

As mudanças contemporâneas exigem das organizações maior velocidade de respostas e de resultados. Nesse contexto, as universidades têm sido demandadas a modernizar sua gestão e seus processos, a fim de atingir melhor desempenho em suas atividades, maior eficiência e qualidade no atendimento e na prestação de serviços. Como organizações complexas, que trabalham diretamente com o conhecimento, faz-se necessário que adotem um modelo gerencial para administrar o conhecimento organizacional na preservação da memória dessas instituições. A gestão do conhecimento (GC) é um método que vem ao encontro dessa premissa, representando um valioso recurso estratégico no meio corporativo. A exemplo de outras organizações, grande parte do conhecimento das universidades encontra-se sob o domínio e na experiência de seus colaboradores. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi, a partir das técnicas de GC, realizar um estudo sobre as práticas de compartilhamento de conhecimentos envolvendo os principais setores administrativos vinculados à Direção da Escola de Engenharia (EE) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). Para isso, foi proposto um Programa de Compartilhamento de Conhecimentos (PCC) do qual participaram os servidores técnico-administrativos em educação (TAEs) lotados nesses setores A metodologia utilizada envolveu pesquisa-ação, com a utilização de questionário aberto e análise contingencial. Seguindo uma abordagem qualitativa, a análise de dados baseou-se na análise de conteúdo. As análises revelaram informações importantes para a gestão da EE, com relevância não apenas para as atividades dos TAEs, mas também para a comunidade interna e externa da instituição. Essas informações poderão aumentar a eficiência da EE em seus processos administrativos e na identificação, armazenamento, uso e compartilhamento do conhecimento organizacional. As respostas ao instrumento de coleta de dados embasaram a estruturação de um Portal do Conhecimento, produto deste estudo. O trabalho permitiu reunir um conjunto de conhecimentos tácitos, presentes na experiência dos TAEs pesquisados, sendo esses os elementos que serão incorporados ao Portal do Conhecimento, o qual está em elaboração. / Current changes demand organizations to achieve faster responses and results. In this regard, universities have been required to modernize their management and processes in order to achieve better performance in their activities, greater efficiency and quality in service delivery. As complex organizations, working directly with knowledge, they must adopt a managerial model to control such knowledge and perpetuate institutional memory. Methods such as Knowledge Management (KM) meet that premise, and represent a valuable strategic resource in the corporation environment. Like other organizations, a large percentage of this knowledge is under the experience and domain of its collaborators. The purpose of this research was, based on knowledge management techniques, to accomplish a study on the knowledge sharing practices involving the main administrative sectors linked to the Direction of the School of Engineering (EE) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). With that in mind, a Knowledge Sharing Program (PCC) was proposed, with the participation of the technical-administrative servants in education (TAEs) working in these sectors. The used methodology involved action research, employing an open questionnaire and contingency analysis. Following a qualitative approach, data analysis was performed based on content analysis. Results revealed important information for the management of EE, with relevance not only for the activities of the TAEs, but also for the internal and external community of the institution. Such information may increase the efficiency of EE in its administrative processes, as well as in the identification, storage, use and sharing of organizational knowledge. The answers to the instrument of data collection sustain the design of a Knowledge Portal, the resulting product of this study. This work enabled the gathering of tacit knowledge, kept in the experience of the researched TAEs, so as to incorporate such knowledge into the Knowledge Portal that is currently under development.

Dans la nouvelle économie caractérisée par des propriétés telles que la mondialisation, l'intangibilité et l'interconnectivité, les organisations éducatives sont nécessaires pour surmonter les nouveaux défis, en particulier la nature changeante du dynamisme accru et de la complexité des exigences des organisations éducatives. L'une des philosophies stratégiques actuelles aidant les organisations éducatives à développer des capacités stratégiques traitant de l'incertitude est la gestion des connaissances (GC). Grâce à l'acquisition systématique, la création, le partage et l'utilisation des connaissances, les organisations développent, renouvellent et exploitent leurs ressources fondées sur le savoir, leur permettant ainsi d'être proactifs et adaptables aux changements extérieurs et d'atteindre le succès concurrentiel. Apparaissant comme un moyen puissant de maintien, de la compétitivité de l'organisation, GC a été largement étudiée et ce à partir de différentes perspectives. Toutefois, seul un nombre limité de recherches ont visé les ressources des organisations éducatives pour examiner empiriquement les relations entre l'infrastructure GC et les différentes stratégies pour investir les actifs humains. Pendant ce temps, la recherche sur les approches GC à partir d'une approche dynamique a été la plupart du temps de nature conceptuelle. Il est proposé ici que l'omission d'appliquer le processus GC peut entraver la contribution intégrée, potentiellement utile aux stratégies organisationnelles afin d'améliorer l'éducation des principaux éléments qui constituent les approches GC. En outre, un examen de la littérature montre que les preuves les plus empiriques ont été obtenues dans le cadre des pays développés. La possibilité que ces modèles pourraient être adoptés dans les organisations éducatives pour répondre aux spécificités des pays en développement a reçu très peu d'attention à ce jour. En se basant sur la théorie de l'apprentissage social prolongé par les approches basées sur la capacité des connaissances dynamiques, cette recherche développe un modèle théorique d'intégration de la capacité GC. L'examen empirique des relations hypothétiques entre les variables est réalisé au moyen de questionnaires de sondage en Arabie Saoudite. Pour l'étude pilote, 30 projets de questionnaires ont été distribués directement aux cadres supérieurs participants au forum « société Global Knowledge 2013 » qui a eu lieu au centre du Roi Abdulaziz pour la Culture Mondiale du groupe ARAMCO Arabie Saoudite, le 9-10 Décembre 2103. [...] / In the New Economy characterized by properties such as globalization, intangibility and inter-connectivity, educational organizations are required to overcome the new challenges, especially the changing nature of the enhanced dynamism and complexity of the requirements from the educational organizations. One of the current strategic philosophies assisting educational organizations to develop strategic capabilities dealing with uncertainty is knowledge management (KM). Through the systematic acquisition, creation, sharing, and use of knowledge, organizations develop, renew and exploit their knowledge-based resources, thereby allowing them to be proactive and adaptable to external changes and attain competitive success. Emerging as a powerful means for sustaining organizational competitiveness, KM has been widely investigated from different perspectives. However, only a limited number of researches have adopted the resource based view of the educational organizations to empirically examine the relationships between KM infrastructure and the different strategies for investing human assets. Meanwhile, research on KM approaches from a dynamic capability approach has been mostly conceptual in nature. It is proposed here that a failure to apply KM approaches may hinder the potentially valuable integrated contribution to organizational strategies for enhancing education of the major components that constitute KM approaches. In addition, a review of the literature shows that most empirical evidence has been obtained in the context of developed countries. The possibility that such models might be adopted in educational organizations to fit the specificities of the developing countries has received very little attention to date. Relying on social learning theory extended by the knowledge and dynamic capability based approaches, this research develops an integrative theoretical mode) of KM capability. Empirical examination of the hypothesized relationships among variables is conducted by means of questionnaire surveys in Saudi Arabia. For the pilot study, 30 draft questionnaires were directly distributed to senior managers participating in the Global Knowledge Society Forum 2013 took place in King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture, ARAMCO Saudi Arabia, during the period of9-10 December 2103. The responses returned with complete data were assessed, using factor analysis and reliability testing, to refine and finalize the questionnaire administered in the main survey.