REAPING THE BENEFITS: MECHANISMS FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 1550018 ◽  
Author(s):  
MATTIAS AXELSON ◽  
ANDERS RICHTNÉR
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Product Development ◽  
Mutual Influence ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Joint Work ◽  
Operational Level ◽  
Work Tasks

Research on knowledge transfer has predominantly focused on how to transfer source knowledge successfully to a recipient. However, there is a lack of studies on product development (PD) collaborations where the parties involved in the knowledge transfer must all jointly contribute to the knowledge transfer process when no clear sender–receiver relationship exists. Our paper concerns these relationships and is guided by the following research question: What are the mechanisms used in order to create operational level conditions for knowledge transfer in collaborative PD projects? Through a three-year longitudinal inductive case study on knowledge transfer between two companies, covering both operational and managerial levels, five key mechanisms for enabling knowledge transfer were identified: (1) co-locate a team; (2) access to existing technology; (3) establish a common vocabulary; (4) shared work processes; and (5) having joint work tasks. Our results show these five mechanisms have a mutual influence on each other, thus further facilitating the transfer of knowledge. Understanding the mechanisms and their interplay can help companies succeed in their attempts at reaping the benefits of PD collaborations.

Knowledge transfer roles of subsidiaries in MNCs’ networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Baskici
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Based

Purpose Although there have been a considerable number of studies regarding subsidiary role typology in multinationals’ management literature, there appear to be few studies that consider knowledge-based role typology from the network-based perspective. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap and extend the study of Gupta and Govindarajan (1991). Thus, the study focuses on answering the following research question: Do subsidiaries have different roles in terms of knowledge flows within a multinational company (MNC)? Design/methodology/approach This empirical study has been carried out as an explorative single case study. An MNC with 15 foreign subsidiaries headquartered in Turkey, which operated in the manufacturing of household appliances and consumer electronics, has been selected as the case. Knowledge transfer is analyzed in this MNC from the network perspective. Findings Four role typologies are detected for subsidiaries of the MNC: collector transmitter, collector diffuser, converter transmitter and converter diffuser. Research limitations/implications Findings of this study are specific to this case. Testing the findings in a sample consisting of subsidiaries of MNCs producing transnational products may contribute to the generalizability of these roles. Practical implications This study offers potentially important findings for MNC managers to use. First, in this study, knowledge flows' route could be defined within MNCs’ dual network. Second, role typologies could inform MNC managers to design their MNCs’ knowledge network. Originality/value The suggested typologies are expected to more accurately define the roles of subsidiaries within contemporary MNCs which are accepted to be transformed from hierarchical structures to network-based organizations.

scholarly journals Innovation Management to Sustain Competitive Advantage: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Ghayth Tahat
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Research Question ◽  
New Product ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Organisational Capabilities ◽  
Innovative Capabilities

The significance of innovative capabilities and new product development (NPD) in marketing and business strategy innovation has been recognised by researchers and management. Researchers and practitioners have explored and evaluated the organisational capabilities and knowledge management, too. This current paper, however, represents inadequacy of connection between organisational capabilities, innovative capabilities, new product development and integrated shared knowledge. Furthermore, there is insufficient knowledge and data on the effect and the involvement of organisational capabilities and integrated shared knowledge to company's success, performance, and sustainability. This paper aimed at determining whether there is a connection between organisational capabilities, innovative capabilities, new product development and integrated shared knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and explore how organisational capabilities and shared knowledge impact and contribute to innovative capabilities, new product development and innovative management. This paper has empolyed a qualitative multiple-site case study through conducting one-on-one (personal) interviews as well as conducting in-depth interviews with key decision makers from innovative and technology companies located in Texas State in the USA. This paper attempts to answer the following key research question, namely: How do organisational capabilities and shared knowledge that influence innovative capability and new product development contribute to the company’s performance, success, and sustainability? NVivo 11 Qualitative Data Analysis Software was used to import and analyse the respondent interviews. The software (NVivo 11) was also used to determine the study findings through theme analysis. The paper key finding is that organisational capabilities and shared knowledge are linked and crucial for the success of innovative capabilities and new product development. A set of recommendations for future researchers is proposed.

Knowledge transfer in Hero Motor Corp Ltd.

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 260-263
Author(s):  
Geeta Rana ◽  
Alok Kumar Goel ◽  
Ajay Kumar Saini
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Strategic Alliances ◽  
Strategic Alliance ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
Cross Country

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the issues of knowledge transfer in international strategic alliance within Hero Moto Corp. Ltd., an Indian multinational company. International Strategic alliances have been increasing in numbers in the past decades and transfer of knowledge and its transfer in multinational companies is wider debate. The case explores the complex issues involved in cross-organization and cross-country transfer of knowledge. The company has forged a strategic alliance with the US-based Erik Buell Racing for accessing technology and design inputs. Design/methodology/approach – It presents a structured case study that examines a wide range of knowledge transfer issues of international strategic alliance. Findings – It reveals that a major influencing factor is the national culture of the parents and that of the host country which provides the context with in which alliances are operate. It is also explored the ways in which the multi-parentage of strategic alliances influences their Human Resource Management (HRM) policies and practices. Originality/value – It provides plenty of useful information on an issue that affects virtually every employee and organization.

scholarly journals Improving Overlapping Between Testing and Design in Engineering Product Development Processes

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadija Tahera ◽  
Chris Earl ◽  
Claudia Eckert
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Product Development Process ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Engineering Product ◽  
Virtual Testing ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Physical Tests

Testing components, prototypes and products comprise essential, but time consuming activities throughout the product development process particularly for complex iteratively designed products. To reduce product development time, testing and design processes are often overlapped. A key research question is how this overlapping can be planned and managed to minimise risks and costs. The first part of this research study investigates how a case study company plans testing and design processes and how they manage these overlaps. The second part of the study proposes a significant modification to the existing process configuration for design and testing, which explicitly identifies virtual testing, that is an extension to Computer Aided Engineering which mirrors the testing process through product modelling and simulation, as a distinct and significant activity used to (a) enhance and (b) replace some physical tests. The analysis shows how virtual testing can mediate information flows between overlapping (re)design and physical tests. The effects of virtual testing to support overlap of test and (re)design is analysed for the development phases of diesel engine design at a case study company. We assess the costs and risks of overlaps and their amelioration through targeted virtual testing. Finally, using the analysis of the complex interactions between (re)design, physical and virtual testing, and the scope for replacing physical with virtual testing is examined.

Investigating Knowledge Transfer Mechanisms for Oil Rigs

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Vianello ◽  
Saeema Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Actual Situation ◽  
Offshore Drilling ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Business Influence ◽  
Transfer Mechanisms ◽  
Systematic Reuse

It is widely recognized, both in industry and academia, that clear strategies in knowledge transfer positively influence the success of a firm. A firm should support the transfer of knowledge by standardizing communication channels within and across departments, based upon personalization, codification or a combination of these two strategies. The characteristics of the business influence the choice of communication channels used for knowledge transfer. This paper presents a case study exploring the transfer of knowledge within and across projects, specifically the transfer of service knowledge in the case of complex machinery. The strategies used for knowledge transfer were analysed and compared with the expected transfer mechanisms, similarities and differences were investigated and are described. A family of four identical rigs for offshore drilling was the selected case. The transfer of experience across the rigs during the commissioning phase of the first and the second rigs of the series was explored through interviews with the operators and the project management team. Differences between the expected knowledge transfer strategy, focused upon the moving of rig personnel and reusing of lessons learnt from one rig to the next, and the actual situation emerged. Various approaches for transferring knowledge were elicited and analysed with regard to the types of knowledge that were transferred and the context in which they were used. This study indicates factors that should be considered whilst designing a knowledge management system to support the systematic reuse of service knowledge.

The Transfer of Knowledge and University-Firm Tensions

2017 ◽  
pp. 361-381
Author(s):  
Hugo Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Academic Science ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Public Research ◽  
Business World ◽  
Economic Exploitation

Innovation is transformed in an encompassing domain where different types of actors are connected and interrelated. Nevertheless, academic science often feels threatened by the new emerging institutional paradigm characterized by the economic exploitation of public research results. This chapter explores university-firm relations and tensions, discussing the increased relevance of knowledge transfer. The ideas of Ludwik Fleck, intellectual precursor of Social Studies of S&T, contribute to the understanding of the difficulties of communication between different collectives, their styles of thought and the importance of ‘marginal individuals' in connecting different institutional spheres. Based on a qualitative approach to the case study of a Portuguese university attempting to create bridges with the business world, the text illustrates differences between the ‘academic science' and the firm, the recent institutionalization of commercialization of research, and findings for policy-making and management of knowledge transfer activities.

scholarly journals Challenges with Supplier Involvement in Product Development: A Supplier’s Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2179-2188
Author(s):  
Filip Flankegård ◽  
Glenn Johansson ◽  
Anna Granlund
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Product Variety ◽  
Customer Requirements ◽  
Time To Market ◽  
Supplier Involvement ◽  
Potential Benefits

AbstractStudies of supplier involvement in product development have revealed potential benefits including faster time to market, reduced cost and increased quality. However, existing literature has mainly focused on the customer's perspective on advantages, disadvantages and factors to be considered when involving suppliers in product development. This paper addresses the supplier's perspective by answering following research question: How do challenges that originate from involvement in customer's product development affect a supplier? The question is answered through a single case study at a supplier that develops and manufacture products primary used in capital goods. Thirteen challenges are identified, classified as being internal or external, and categorised into five areas: (A) Customer requirements, (B) Information exchange between customer and supplier, (C) Product variety management, (D) Design- manufacturing integration and (E) Processes and work instructions. The findings suggest that internal challenges need as much attention as external ones that originate from the customer. Also, an indication of when the challenges affect the supplier during product development is presented.

scholarly journals LOCAL WISDOM-BASED STRATEGY OF TRANSFERRING KNOWLEDGEAMONG EDUCATORS AT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SRENGSENG SAWAH SUB-DISTRICT, JAGAKARSA DISTRICT, SOUTH JAKARTA

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laksmi Laksmi ◽  
Luki Wijayanti ◽  
Kiki Fauziah
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
The Social

In every educational institution, knowledge is regarded as the principal asset to achieve its goals. Educators are thus required to improve and broaden their knowledge through the transfer of knowledge and information. This paper seeks to answer the following research questions: 1) how knowledge transfer is constructed, through the SECI process, based on local wisdom by educators at Early Childhood Education Programs (PAUD) in Srengseng Sawah Sub-District, Jagakarsa District, South Jakarta? 2) what kinds of local wisdom do they apply? The aim of this research is to identify the social construction that takes place in the process of local wisdom-based knowledge transfer among educators. By applying a qualitative approach and a case study method, this research found that the educators, all of whom are women, construct education based on collective consciousness of their role as mothers and their common predicament working as PAUD educators. Their role as mothers teaches them how to deal with children (as role models and motivators). Being aware of their similar condition—PAUD educators have not been given equal status as educators at formal kindergartens—they take the initiative to build a social relationship based on egalitarian values (trust and respect among each other), as well as cosmopolitan values (openness, honesty, and orientation towards information and technology). Egalitarian and cosmopolitan values are part of the Betawi culture. The significance of this research is to raise a cultural understanding of the process of local wisdom-based knowledge transfer.

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