In this thesis we will discuss the importance of human resource development in smaller companies and if it will change from when the Swedish economy was in an economic boom and later on came to be in a recession. We choose to use a more qualitative approach for this research in order to conduct a more in-depth study of five smaller sized companies located on Gotland, Sweden. In order to limit our research we had as an ambition to answer these following questions: • What obstacles are there when it comes to human resource development and knowledge transference within smaller sized companies? • What can simplify or enable human resource development and knowledge transference within smaller sized companies? • Does the teaching process change to a more tacit human resource development between co-workers when there is less room for conventional human resource development? The result of the research came to show that the biggest barrier, when it comes to competence development within smaller companies, is time. However, our research also showed that a majority of the companies has changed from a more external educational plan to a more internal educational plan which focuses on keeping the human resource development within the company. This in turn makes it easier for the companies to manage time and integrate the learning process into a usual workday for employees.

This research addressed the need for in-depth investigation of what actually happens in the practice of risk management in software package implementation projects. There is strong 'official' sanction in the IT literature for the use of formal risk management processes for IT projects but there is a confused picture of their application in practice. While many potential risk factors for IT projects have been identified, and formal procedures have been prescribed for the management of these risks, there has been little work investigating how project managers assess these risks in practice and what countermeasures they employ against these risks in their projects. In particular, the study used an interpretive critical decision interview approach to focus on those areas of risk management knowledge that project managers have acquired through experience, i.e. tacit knowledge. A new categorization of risk factors emanating from three sources -- vendor, client, and third party -reveals risk factors not previously identified. Some of these new factors arise from the three sources noted, while others arise from the package implementation focus of the projects and from aspects arising from the location of the projects in Hong Kong. Key factors that cause problems even when anticipated and mitigated, and the most often unanticipated problems are also identified. The study further presents an examination of the studied managers' risk management practices, and the strategies they use to address both potential and actual problems. This examination revealed close conformance with recommended literature prescriptions at some stages of projects, and significant variation at other stages, with strategies applied being broad and general rather than risk specific. A useful categorization of these strategies into four broad groups relating to different sets of risk factors is presented, reflecting the actual practice of respondents. Tacit knowledge was revealed throughout these investigations in the variances observed between prescribed and actual practice, and particularly from an examination of project managers' decision-making practices from two different perspectives - rational and naturalistic. A hybrid decision-making model is proposed to capture the actual processes observed, and to provide prescriptive guidance for risk management practice. The investigation makes a contribution to the field of IT project risk management in three ways. First, the investigation has addressed the need for empirical studies into IT risk management practices and the factors influencing project managers in their choice and application of strategies to manage risk. Second, by examining how experienced IT project managers approach the task of managing risk in software package implementations, the study has extended our understanding of the nature of the knowledge and skills that effective IT project managers develop through experience. Third, the study makes a theoretical contribution to our understanding of IT project risk management by examining the decision-making processes followed by IT project managers from the perspective of two contrasting theories of decision-making - the rational method and the Naturalistic Decision Making theory.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 210-228). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

<p>Tacit knowledge refers to the knowledge that is located inside individuals; it is not expressed or written like explicit knowledge. Inherently, tacit knowledge is often limited solely to one person and consequently individually based. Project based companies need to acknowledge the importance of transforming tacit knowledge into explicit in order to preserve the knowledge inside the organisation. If the knowledge is not transformed, there is a great risk of losing the knowledge when a key individual leaves the organization.</p><p>One way of transforming the tacit knowledge is through Nonaka’s and Takeuchi’s knowledge spiral. But the knowledge spiral ignores some wider issues that should be included in order to achieve a transformation. This thesis shows that the knowledge spiral is a good base but the organisation has to provide a supporting context and an open culture to create an environment where a transformation can be accomplished. This thesis stresses that a transformation is not always the ultimate choice since it is not, at all times, possible. In some cases, distribution of tacit knowledge throughout the organisation is a better alternative to preserve the knowledge. A distribution can, for instance, be done through learning by doing. The thesis demonstrates that an organisation has to choose either a transformation or a distribution. The choice depends on which alternative that brings the most improvements, advantages and effectiveness for the organisation. The situation will then, as a consequence, decide whether the knowledge is to be transformed or not.</p>

Individers specifika, inneboende kunskap har kommit att bli ett allt viktigare redskap för att generera konkurrensfördelar i dagens föränderliga samhälle. Det ställer därmed krav på ledningen att kunna hantera organisationens komplexa tillgång och främja kunskapsöverföring mellan organisationsmedlemmarna genom tillämpliga processer. Lyckas detta, bevaras kunskapen inom organisationen. Syftet med studien är att skapa en ökad förståelse för ledningsdrivna processer och aktiviteter som avser att omvandla individbaserad kunskap till organisatorisk kunskap.  Studien belyser ett antal olika kunskapsöverföringsprocesser som nyttjas av organisationer i praktiken. Face-to-face metoder har visat sig föredras vid överföring av kunskap särskilt den tysta kunskapen, medan de tekniska/virtuella verktygen anses vara till fördel vid informationsspridning. En central slutsats för studien är att en verbal tvåvägskommunikation, såsom fysiska möten och telefonkommunikation, är mest tillämplig vid förmedling av den tysta kunskapen. Ytterligare ett centralt bidrag är att den individbaserade kunskapens betydelse för organisationen inte är branschspecifik utan värdesätts och uppmärksammas likvärdigt mellan de studerade företagsledarna. Tidigare studier har dock fokuserat på kunskapsintensiva organisationer.

Em um ambiente de desenvolvimento de software a etapa de extração de requisitos é um processo complexo que envolve uma importante interação entre cliente e analista. Essa etapa é crucial para que um projeto se inicie de forma correta, desencadeando um efeito de assertividade e qualidade nos produtos desenvolvidos. A interação cliente analista pressupõe uma intensa troca de conhecimentos de natureza sobretudo tácita cuja interpretação afeta diretamente o resultado final do processo. Assim sendo, o objetivo do presente estudo é analisar a dimensão tácita do conhecimento no processo de definição de requisitos e sua relação com a qualidade em uma Fábrica de Software da Serra Gaúcha. A pesquisa é um estudo de caso único e utiliza métodos de Sensemaking para o resgate do conhecimento tácito. Para organização do conteúdo obtido nas entrevistas foi utilizado o software Atlas/Ti e para a análise foi utilizado o método dos mapas de associação de ideias. Os resultados indicam que o conhecimento tácito influencia a interpretação resultante da interação entre cliente e analista e por isso afeta o refinamento do requisito. Indicam também que o conhecimento tácito quando socializado, pode funcionar como um dispositivo de ajuste, promovendo a evolução do processo de definição de requisitos para que o produto final fique adequado à realidade. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-04-29T12:24:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Rafael Poltronieri Panozzo.pdf: 2819586 bytes, checksum: ac03e26457c29a593d3b0d7da677f41e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-29T12:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Rafael Poltronieri Panozzo.pdf: 2819586 bytes, checksum: ac03e26457c29a593d3b0d7da677f41e (MD5) / In a development environment software requirements phase extraction is a complex process that involves a significant interaction between client and analyst. This step is crucial for a project to start correctly, triggering an effect of assertiveness and quality in the products developed. The interaction customer analyst assumes an intense exchange of knowledge of nature, especially tacit interpretation of which directly affects the outcome of the process. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the tacit dimension of knowledge in the process of requirements definition and its relation to quality in a Software Factory Serra Gaúcha. The research is a single case study and uses methods of Sensemaking to the rescue of tacit knowledge. To organize the content obtained in the interviews was the software used Atlas / Ti and the analysis method was used maps of association of ideas. The results indicate that tacit knowledge influences the interpretation resulting from the interaction between client and analyst and therefore affects the refinement of the requirement. They also show that tacit knowledge when socialized, can function as an adjustment, promoting the evolution of the process of defining requirements for the final product be suitable for reality.

A crescente necessidade em termos de informações remete a atitudes pró ativas em busca de maximizar a qualidade destas informações. No setor contábil, a elaboração de relatórios e sua apresentação aos clientes não constituem uma prática obrigatória aos processos contábeis, no entanto são fundamentais em termos de informações contábeis úteis ao processo gerencial e também decisório. A interpretação dos dados e informações contidos nesses relatórios possibilita a construção de estratégias fundamentadas em aspectos concretos do negócio. Por outro lado, o que se observa é que os profissionais envolvidos na elaboração e na apresentação dos relatórios contábeis possuem conhecimentos tácitos internalizados, que são um diferencial tanto em termos de desempenho como de qualidade final do trabalho. Estes conhecimentos são construídos com a prática ao logo do tempo. Assim este trabalho buscou estudar a dimensão tácita do conhecimento no setor contábil, utilizando os conceitos de Polanyi (1958 e 1966) e de Nonaka e Takeuchi (1995, 1997 e 1998). O objetivo foi analisar a dimensão tácita do conhecimento, sob a ótica dos elementos de ordem técnica e cognitiva, nos processos contábeis de elaboração de relatórios gerenciais e apresentação dos resultados aos clientes, em relação às práticas adotadas por organizações contábeis. O método utilizado foi um estudo exploratório a partir do resgate do conhecimento tácito, utilizando o sense-making de Dervin (1983 e 1999) e Weick (1995), associada ao método de análise de conteúdo conforme definições de Bardin (1977), Minayo (2004) e Vergara (2008). O estudo multicaso foi realizado nas organizações contábeis associadas ao Sescon-Serra Gaúcha, que implantaram o PQNC, Programa de Qualidade Necessária Contábil, categoria ouro. Uma proposição que emergiu do presente estudo é de que as técnicas de diálogo do sense-making, podem possibilitar a sistematização do resgate do conhecimento tácito no setor contábil e fundamentar a organização de uma base de conhecimento que poderia ser compartilhada e consultada pelos membros da organização. Outra proposição do estudo é que o conhecimento tácito quando compartilhado, pode influenciar os processos contábeis pela via de suas práticas, podendo ser um elemento central para a inovação incremental nos processos contábeis. Porém não é um processo espontâneo e por isso tem ser provocado, ou seja, a influência do conhecimento tácito só vai ocorrer na medida em que for resgatado. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-06T12:29:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fernando Luis Bertolla.pdf: 2992670 bytes, checksum: 30d1a3cf545111f77087c17c322ea398 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-06T12:29:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fernando Luis Bertolla.pdf: 2992670 bytes, checksum: 30d1a3cf545111f77087c17c322ea398 (MD5) / The growing needs in terms of information refers to pro-active attitudes seeking to maximize the quality of this information. In the accounting sector, reporting and presentation to customers are not required to the practice of accounting processes, however are critical in terms of useful accounting information to the management process and also decision-making. The interpretation of data and information contained in these reports enables the construction of strategies based on concrete aspects of the business. On the other hand, what is observed is that the professionals involved in the preparation and presentation of accounting reports have internalized tacit knowledge, which are a differential in terms of both performance and quality of the final work. This knowledge is constructed in the context of the practice time. Thus, this work aimed study the tacit dimension of knowledge in the accounting sector, using the concepts of Polanyi (1958 and 1966) and Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995, 1997 and 1998). The objective was to analyze the tacit dimension of knowledge, from the technical and cognitive approach in financial management reporting and presentation of results to clients. The method used was an exploratory study in tacit knowledge, using the sense-making of Dervin (1983 and 1999) and Weick (1995), associated with the method of content analysis according to the definitions of Bardin (1977), Minayo (2004) and Vergara (2008). The multicase study was conducted in organizations associated with the accounting Sescon-Serra Gaucha, who deployed PQNC, Quality Program Needs Accounting, gold category. One proposal that emerged from this study is the techniques of dialogue from the sense-making methode, provide a systematization of the tacit knowledge in accounting and support the organization of a knowledge base that could be shared and accessed by members of the organization. Another proposition of the study is that tacit knowledge when shared, can influence the processes by means of its accounting practices, which may be a central element for incremental innovation. But there is not a spontaneous process and it must be triggered.

Knowledge Management (KM) and Business Intelligence (BI) are topics, which are receiving much currency in the literature of academia and the general media over the past several years. This thesis explores KM from the perspective of the acquisition of business intelligence inside and outside the organisation. We do this by undertaking an extensive survey of the literature in the field. This thesis provides an overview of the major concepts, approaches, and issues as well as some experiences and trends of KM, covering both organisational and technological aspects. Firstly, chapter 2 discusses various definitions of knowledge and KM as well as related terms like tacit knowledge and intellectual capital, from a philosophical, a technological and a business point of view. Secondly, chapter 3, describes the major components of KM, from a process perspective, a func- tional perspective and a technological perspective. Important processes include the setting of appropriate goals; the creation, discovery, acquisition and capture of knowledge. The chapter also describes the storage of that knowledge in knowledge repositories, the classification, re- trieval, filtering and refinement of knowledge; the transfer and use of that knowledge. Finally, the chapter ends with how organisations may undertake the assessment, conservation and main- tenance of knowledge, and states that groupware, document management systems, intelligent agents, knowledge maps and expertise profiling are examples of technologies used in KM. iii The thesis then looks at the role of asynchronous groupware in enabling and harnessing the benefits of KM. Here, the research discusses how Information Technology (IT), and specifically, synchronous and asynchronous groupware, may be integrated with KM in a drive towards cre- ating BI. Chapter 4 also studies the term `business intelligence', with specific relevance to the identification of business opportunities, and the application of the concepts of intellectual capital (IC). Chapter 5 outlines the research methodology, which includes two surveys on KM awareness and KM practices in order to gauge the level of implementation and application of KM for adding value to organisations. The research methodology also employs a case study to validate the implementation of an aspect of KM collaboration and knowledge sharing. The findings from the surveys give testament to the level of awareness and implementation of KM in best practice organisations. Chapter 7 then presents the approaches to measuring IC, and BI used by firms employing knowledge management practices to maintain their competitive advantage. In chapter 8, the researcher analyses how KM presentations and implementation in organisations may be operationalised. In chapter 9, the research presents the research model, the KM-BI model, which is the seminal objective of this thesis. The KM-BI model uses the confirmatory factor analysis procedure, Proc Calis of SAS Institute, to present a measurement model. In seeking to clarify the argument being made, a model is confirmed and discussed in terms of the transformation process from KM to BI and the subsequent competitive advantage. iv / Business Management / DBL

Submitted by Timbo Noeme (noeme.timbo@metodista.br) on 2016-08-08T17:40:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RenataGava.pdf: 905550 bytes, checksum: c0bcf2e3186c97dc72d384935458c4e0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-08T17:40:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RenataGava.pdf: 905550 bytes, checksum: c0bcf2e3186c97dc72d384935458c4e0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-18 / This study aims to understand the reasons why the companies surveyed in the automotive sector to manage tacit knowledge, mediated by knowledge management in product development management. The research questions that this study aimed to answer was: How studied companies use tacit knowledge to become more efficient and effective in activities / operations? How tacit knowledge is perceived in the organization by employees and managers? To answer these questions was the investigation of two companies of the automotive sector in the product development area. As a theoretical basis for the development of the present study authors as Davenport and Prusak (1998), Nonaka and Takeuchi (1997) and Choo (2006) guide this research. The survey covers two companies in the automotive industry in the ABC Paulista region, with equivalence in the number of employees and size. Among the respondents there are employees and managers of projects and product management areas. The methodology applied to the study was qualitative through exploratory and descriptive research, and the data collection method is made from semi-structured interviews. The study investigated which practices used for the conversion of knowledge, facilitating factors and limiting factors for conversion of knowledge and major contributions to the application of practices and initiatives aimed manage tacit knowledge from the perspective of managers and employees. Through this study it can be seen that there is concern about knowledge management in the companies studied and there are several practices related to the tacit knowledge and forms of dissemination of this knowledge are different. Some of the practices are the specialization courses, brainstorming and lesson learned and informal conversations. In facilitating factors for the exchange of information among peers, weekly meetings, multidisciplinary / cross-functional teams. The hindering factors for the indication of behavioral issues, accumulation of functions and time to share information / O presente estudo buscou a compreensão dos motivos que levam as empresas pesquisadas do setor automobilístico a gerir o conhecimento tácito, mediados pela gestão do conhecimento, na área de gestão de desenvolvimento de produtos. As questões de pesquisa que este estudo objetivou responder foram: Como empresas estudadas utilizam o conhecimento tácito para se tornarem mais eficientes e eficazes nas atividades/ operações? De que forma o conhecimento tácito é percebido na organização por parte dos funcionários e gestores? Para responder a estas perguntas houve a investigação de duas empresas do setor automobilístico, na área de desenvolvimento de produtos. Como base teórica para o desenvolvimento do presente estudo autores como Davenport e Prusak (1998), Nonaka e Takeuchi (1997) e Choo (2006) orientam esta pesquisa. A pesquisa abrange duas empresas do ramo automobilístico na região do ABC Paulista, com equivalência no número de funcionários e porte. Dentre os entrevistados há funcionários e gestores de áreas de gestão de projetos e produtos. A metodologia aplicada ao estudo foi de caráter qualitativo por meio de pesquisa exploratória-descritiva, sendo que o método de coleta de dados se deu a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas. O estudo investigou quais as práticas usadas para a conversão do conhecimento, fatores facilitadores e fatores dificultadores para a conversão do conhecimento e as principais contribuições da aplicação das práticas e iniciativas voltadas gerir o conhecimento tácito, sob a ótica dos gestores e funcionários. Através do presente estudo pode-se verificar que existe a preocupação com a gestão do conhecimento nas empresas estudadas e que há práticas diversas relativas ao conhecimento tácito e que as formas de disseminação deste conhecimento são distintas. Algumas das práticas são os cursos de especialização, brainstorming e lesson learned e conversas informais. Nos fatores facilitadores há a troca de informação entre os pares, reuniões semanais, equipes multidisciplinares/ multifuncionais. Nos fatores dificultadores há a indicação de questões comportamentais, acúmulo de funções e tempo para partilhar informações.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T21:42:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RenataGava.pdf: 905550 bytes, checksum: c0bcf2e3186c97dc72d384935458c4e0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-18 / This study aims to understand the reasons why the companies surveyed in the automotive sector to manage tacit knowledge, mediated by knowledge management in product development management. The research questions that this study aimed to answer was: How studied companies use tacit knowledge to become more efficient and effective in activities / operations? How tacit knowledge is perceived in the organization by employees and managers? To answer these questions was the investigation of two companies of the automotive sector in the product development area. As a theoretical basis for the development of the present study authors as Davenport and Prusak (1998), Nonaka and Takeuchi (1997) and Choo (2006) guide this research. The survey covers two companies in the automotive industry in the ABC Paulista region, with equivalence in the number of employees and size. Among the respondents there are employees and managers of projects and product management areas. The methodology applied to the study was qualitative through exploratory and descriptive research, and the data collection method is made from semi-structured interviews. The study investigated which practices used for the conversion of knowledge, facilitating factors and limiting factors for conversion of knowledge and major contributions to the application of practices and initiatives aimed manage tacit knowledge from the perspective of managers and employees. Through this study it can be seen that there is concern about knowledge management in the companies studied and there are several practices related to the tacit knowledge and forms of dissemination of this knowledge are different. Some of the practices are the specialization courses, brainstorming and lesson learned and informal conversations. In facilitating factors for the exchange of information among peers, weekly meetings, multidisciplinary / cross-functional teams. The hindering factors for the indication of behavioral issues, accumulation of functions and time to share information. / O presente estudo buscou a compreensão dos motivos que levam as empresas pesquisadas do setor automobilístico a gerir o conhecimento tácito, mediados pela gestão do conhecimento, na área de gestão de desenvolvimento de produtos. As questões de pesquisa que este estudo objetivou responder foram: Como empresas estudadas utilizam o conhecimento tácito para se tornarem mais eficientes e eficazes nas atividades/ operações? De que forma o conhecimento tácito é percebido na organização por parte dos funcionários e gestores? Para responder a estas perguntas houve a investigação de duas empresas do setor automobilístico, na área de desenvolvimento de produtos. Como base teórica para o desenvolvimento do presente estudo autores como Davenport e Prusak (1998), Nonaka e Takeuchi (1997) e Choo (2006) orientam esta pesquisa. A pesquisa abrange duas empresas do ramo automobilístico na região do ABC Paulista, com equivalência no número de funcionários e porte. Dentre os entrevistados há funcionários e gestores de áreas de gestão de projetos e produtos. A metodologia aplicada ao estudo foi de caráter qualitativo por meio de pesquisa exploratória-descritiva, sendo que o método de coleta de dados se deu a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas. O estudo investigou quais as práticas usadas para a conversão do conhecimento, fatores facilitadores e fatores dificultadores para a conversão do conhecimento e as principais contribuições da aplicação das práticas e iniciativas voltadas gerir o conhecimento tácito, sob a ótica dos gestores e funcionários. Através do presente estudo pode-se verificar que existe a preocupação com a gestão do conhecimento nas empresas estudadas e que há práticas diversas relativas ao conhecimento tácito e que as formas de disseminação deste conhecimento são distintas. Algumas das práticas são os cursos de especialização, brainstorming e lesson learned e conversas informais. Nos fatores facilitadores há a troca de informação entre os pares, reuniões semanais, equipes multidisciplinares/ multifuncionais. Nos fatores dificultadores há a indicação de questões comportamentais, acúmulo de funções e tempo para partilhar informações.