Knowledge sharing barriers in organic growth: A case study from a software company

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kukko
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Software Company ◽  
Organic Growth

scholarly journals Knowledge Sharing Barriers of Acquisitioned Growth: A Case Study from a Software Company

10.5772/56005 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kukko
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Growth Strategy ◽  
Software Company ◽  
Software Business

Acquisition as a growth strategy is often burdened by subsequent unsatisfactory performance. The literature suggests that a potential cause is mismanagement of knowledge. Such mismanagement may occur if the barriers to knowledge sharing in acquisitioned growth are not adequately understood. Hence, the aim of this study is to improve understanding of the potentially most restrictive knowledge sharing barriers in acquisitioned growth. It does so through a case study in the context of the software business. The findings of the study will help companies with a strategy of growing through acquisitions to better prepare for the challenging task of managing such growth. The paper also contributes to the literature on knowledge management by defining knowledge sharing barriers in the context of acquisitioned growth in the software business. A contribution to growth literature is made by touching on the issue of the management of acquisitions from the perspective of knowledge management, and especially knowledge sharing.

Beginning a journey of knowledge management in a secondary school

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 364-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Wing Chu
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Digital Archive ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Despite the fact that schools should be places where learning occurs, most schools have overlooked the importance of knowledge. In contrast, commercial firms have recognized knowledge as a strategic intangible asset and a key resource of the enterprises. Therefore, enterprises have already harnessed knowledge to a great extent with wide practice of knowledge management (KM). The purpose of this paper is to show that KM could be applied to the education sector similar to the practice in the business world for leveraging intellectual assets. This paper examines how schools can kick off the process of KM implementation. This paper also reports what have been done and what should be done in KM implementation better in a school. This can give insights for schools which will try KM in near future. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a case study in a secondary school to explore how KM can be kicked off and sustained in a school setting. A KM system called knowledge base and a document management system called Digital Archive were developed to serve as the infrastructure for knowledge sharing. Lesson study and communities of practice (CoPs) were adopted to be the platforms for knowledge sharing among teachers in the school. A case study of the processes and lesson learned was done in this paper. Multiple sources of data, including observations, questionnaires and interviews, have been collected for evaluation. Findings In this paper, KM implementation was found to be effective through dual approaches: information-based and people-/interaction-based approaches. A knowledge base and a Digital Archive as knowledge repositories and lesson study and CoPs as platforms for knowledge sharing have been successfully established to facilitate sharing information/knowledge and nurturing a sharing culture and trust. Challenges faced and the related coping strategies during the process of implementation were shared and reflected. It was also found that building sharing culture is the critical turning point of the process of KM implementation. Breaking through the barrier of sharing was found to be very essential to KM implementation. Research limitations/implications This paper adopts case study methodology to report the process of KM implementation in a school. Although these results of the study conducted in one school may not be generalized to other school contexts, the lessons learned in the study will be a strong empirical evidence of research of KM implementation, especially in schools. Because of the limited number of prior studies and the importance of the pioneering work of launching KM implementation, this paper tries to address the research gap by using theory building from cases as a research strategy rather than theory testing research, especially in “how”and“why” in the steps of kicking off KM implementation in an unexplored research area. Practical implications This paper shows a case of KM implementation in a school with thoughtful procedures of implementing information-based and people-/interaction-based approaches. The paper is a showcase that will shed light on the processes and lessons learned and also helps to provide a model for schools who are interested in applying KM in their schools. Social implications Most people might think that KM can be applied only in commercial sector. This paper shows that KM can also be adopted in schools as well as other sectors. Originality/value This paper represents one of the pioneering work of implementing KM in a school. It hopes to make contributions for KM implementation also in the public sector within which are non-profit-making organizations.

scholarly journals Coordination mechanisms in the store opening process

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 482-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Sandberg
Keyword(s):  
Coordination Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organic Growth ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
A Company ◽  
Opening Process

Purpose – For many retailers organic growth through the opening of new stores is a crucial cornerstone of the business model. The purpose of this paper is to explore the store opening process conducted by retail companies. The research questions cover: first, the role and organisation of the establishment function in charge of the process; second, the activities and functions involved in the process; and third, the coordination mechanisms applied during the process. Design/methodology/approach – This research considers the store opening process as a company-wide project, managed by an establishment function, in which internal functions as well as external suppliers need to be coordinated. A multiple case study of eight retail companies is presented, focusing on the organisation of the establishment function, a mapping of the store opening process and the application of coordination mechanisms. Findings – The role and organisation of the establishment function is described and the store opening process is summarised into 11 main activities to be conducted by either the establishment function or other involved functions. During the store opening process six different coordination mechanisms are utilised, including mutual adjustments and direct supervision, as well as different types of standardisation. Originality/value – This research seeks to improve our understanding for the store opening process and how it can be managed and controlled in an effective manner.

scholarly journals New technologies in consulting sector – the paradigm of agility

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-146
Author(s):  
Celina SOŁEK-BOROWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Competitive Environment ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Global Teams ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Changing Knowledge

In order to keep pace with the demands of the ever-changing knowledge economy, organizations must be aware of the knowledge sharing tools that are in use today, customizing the technology to help them maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Moreover because of the competitive environment the shift is towards agile paradigm. The outcome of this study will enable further under­standing of knowledge sharing in consulting companies and will therefore contribute towards successful implementation of knowledge sharing as part of organizational knowledge sharing culture. The limita­tions identińed were the use of interview as the only form of data collection, since the company did not authorize the collection of documents, the interviews were conducted via Skype®. The ńndings are based on one case study and the ńndings are not generalizable. The results of this research may be useful for academics and organizations because they deepen the discussion on knowledge sharing in global teams.

scholarly journals Connecting Inward and Outward Internationalisation of Malaysian SMEs: A Learning Approach

2018 ◽  
pp. 264-275
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Supplier Relationships ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Relationship

When SMEs are part of global value chain, the flows of information in cross-border buyer-supplier relationships which emerge from inward-outward internationalisation connections should be addressed. This study therefore investigates the learning processes of internationalising small and medium enterprises that engage in inward and outward internationalisation. Hence, this study adopts a qualitative case study approach based on ten cases of the internationalising SMEs in Malaysia. Semi-structured interviews with the Managing Directors of the selected SMEs were conducted over a two-year period. Additionally, participant observations were conducted by attending the meetings related to import-export activities and documentations were gathered for data triangulation Findings of this study highlights that the relationship with key foreign suppliers empowered case firms to connect inward to outward internationalisation through collaborative knowledge sharing. The distribution of knowledge through tacit-tacit and tacit-explicit knowledge sharing underpinned by formal planning was a prerequisite for inward-outward internationalisation connections to be established.

scholarly journals Web-Based Job Aids Using RESTXQ and JavaScript for Authors of XML Documents

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Galtman
Keyword(s):  
Web Applications ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Job Aids ◽  
Xml Documents ◽  
Software Company ◽  
Technical Writers ◽  
Visualization Application ◽  
Exchange Data ◽  
The Web

Using XML as the source format for authoring technical publications creates opportunities to develop tools that provide analysis, author guidance, and visualization. This case study describes two web applications that take advantage of the XML source format of documents. The applications provide a browser-based tool for technical writers and editors in a 100-person documentation department of a software company. Compared to desktop tools, the web applications are more convenient for users and less affected by hard-to-predict inconsistencies among users' computers. One application analyzes file dependencies and produces custom reports that facilitate reorganizing files. The other helps authors visualize their network of topics in their documentation sets. Both applications rely on the XQuery language and its RESTXQ web API. The visualization application also uses JavaScript, including the powerful jQuery and D3 libraries. After discussing what the applications do and why, this paper describes some architectural highlights, including how the different technologies fit together and exchange data.

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