Knowledge is a crucial resource in modern business environments. The proper management of an organization’s internal knowledge assets can lead to a sustainable competitive advantage. Literature on knowledge management has identified a large number of factors that influence the transfer of knowledge within organizations. The purpose of this study is to investigate how internal knowledge assets are managed in the R&D department of a large company in the high-tech healthcare industry, what informal and formal organizational factors influence the transfer of knowledge, and to explore possible requirements and success factors for ICTs in knowledge transfer. A qualitative case study approach is adopted and semi-structured interviews with a total of ten members of the research and development departments are performed. A theoretical framework is used with elements from the knowledge-based view of the firm, dimensions of knowledge strategies, operational knowledge management practise, knowledge transformation models, and social exchange theory. The results of the empirical research show a knowledge-heavy company that engages in personalization, as well as codification strategies with the support of ICTs. Socialisation, combination, externalisation, and internalization are identified and related to the organization’s processes and practises. In addition, drivers, such as a friendly, cooperative atmosphere and the complexity of task, as well as deterrents of knowledge transfer, such as lack of time and weaknesses of ICTs, are identified. Interviewees identified several requirements for ICTs, above all low thresholds and the attainment of critical mass, as well as the demand for standardization and formalization. It was also found that employees are willing to document their knowledge in a technological knowledge management system if they can retrieve knowledge for themselves from the same system. This study provides a relevant example of knowledge management and transfer processes and practises, as well as influences on internal knowledge exchange.

„Wissensmanagement ist eine Herausforderung für alle Unternehmen, welche in der Wissensgesellschaft überleben und ihre Wettbewerbsposition ausbauen wollen“ ([Pro12] 1). Vor diesem Hintergrund scheint insbesondere der Austausch und Transfer von Wissen ein hohes Wettbewerbspotenzial aufzuweisen und gestaltungsbezogen eine hohe Relevanz zu haben (vgl. [Leh14] 5 f., 13 ff.; [Krc95] 24 ff.), während klassische Kostensenkungsmaßnahmen weitgehend ausgereizt scheinen (vgl. [Nor11] 1 f.). Die Weitergabe von wertgenerierendem Wissen in Unternehmen ist jedoch mit Barrieren verbunden, die stark auf Egoismen und Hemmnissen beruhen, und die es zu überwinden gilt. Der nachfolgende Beitrag zeigt reinterpretiert die wichtigsten Ergebnisse einer im Rahmen einer Dissertation erfolgten empirischen Untersuchung zur Überwindung von Barrieren im Wissenstransfer auf und leitet daraus Handlungsempfehlungen für die Praxis ab [Sch13].

The awareness on the importance of managing knowledge as the most important assets that need to be fully utilised has become the key competitive issue lately. In Malaysia, the concern was not only from companies but also from the Government of Malaysia itself. At the end of the year 2002, the Government of Malaysia has launched the Knowledge-based Economy Master Plan which aims to propel Malaysia from a production-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. With an increasing concern to create a knowledgeable society, it is critically important to understand the nature of such knowledge that is already embedded in the organisation's business processes, and how that knowledge is used as an important source of competitive advantage. The overall aim of this thesis is to analyse the current situation on how knowledge is managed in the public organisation in Malaysia and to provide government agencies in Malaysia with data on how knowledge is transferred. The primary focus of the study is to identify the organisational elements that are important for the transfer of knowledge in the public organisations in Malaysia. The study also examines different lengths of working experiences and number of years in an organisation has an impact on the understanding of knowledge management in the public organisation. After a literature review, and the development of conceptual frameworks, a number of hypotheses are put forward. To achieve an in-depth study, the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development of Malaysia was chosen as a case study. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument in gathering data and interview(s) for the key informants were also conducted. A total of 154 respondents were involved in the survey and five key informants were interviewed. The questionnaire is principally concerned with the understanding of knowledge management in the Ministry and the questions on the variables that are used for the hypothesis testing. The study also investigates the relationship between organisational elements and the performance of knowledge transfer. Five main independent variables were identified - organisational culture, organisational structure, technology, people/human resources and political directives - and these were tested against knowledge transfer performance. The results reveal that there are two independent variables that have significant relationships to the performance of knowledge transfer. The variables are sharing culture and ICT know-how. Therefore, it is necessary for organisations to consider some of the elements that shows a relationship between the tested variables in implementing a knowledge management strategy in an organisation. However, certain variables that did not show any relationship should not be ignored totally, as they are still very important for some organisations. The study shows that knowledge management as a practice would be the most influential strategy in managing knowledge in public organisations in Malaysia in the near future. On the basis of the research findings the researcher is able to put forward a series of recommendations, particularly in formulating a knowledge management strategy that is suitable for the public organisation in Malaysia which complements the Knowledge-based Economic Master Plan that was launched by the Government.

Durch den Einsatz digitaler Technologien ergeben sich auch im Rahmen der beruflichen Bildung neue Möglichkeiten zur digitalisierten Dokumentation von Wissen und Verfügbarmachung von Informationen für die beteiligten Alteurinnen und Akteure. Dieser Beitrag zeigt, inwiefern eine digitale Lernortkooperation unter Gesichtspunkten des Wissenstransfers mithilfe eines Online-Berichtsheftes umgesetzt werden kann. Dazu wird das vom BMBF geförderte Verbundprojekt ‚Diffusion digitaler Technologien in der beruflichen Bildung durch Lernortkooperation‘ (DiBBLok) vorgestellt und inblicke in die Ergebnisse einer quantiativen Strukturdatenanalyse des Online-Berichtsheftes BLok gegeben.