scholarly journals Analysing the Communication Process Between Middle and top Managers Through the Concept of 'Ba'

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. pp226-236
Author(s):  
Jarrah Al-Mansour ◽  
Demola Obembe
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Organization Management ◽  
Social Stereotypes ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Successful Execution

In the last few decades the relevance of knowledge management to organizations has become increasingly apparent. However, there are varying levels of emphasis on researching different aspects of this multidimensional construct.  One such dimension is knowledge sharing, which is extensively researched from an impact perspective but with limited research on understand dynamic interactions of actors. In this research, we aim to explore factors influencing knowledge sharing among top and middle managers during the strategy communication process. We further draw on the concept of ‘ba’ as an alternative interpretive tool for understanding managerial interaction dynamics. Adopting a qualitative approach, 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted across a single case Kuwaiti public sector ministry and collated data presented as a thematic narrative to capture managerial perspectives. The findings indicate that organizations benefit more from aligning heterogenous groups within common collective spaces, and that social spaces or contexts are critically important for sharing knowledge pertinent to successful execution of strategies. Furthermore, the propensity to share knowledge was found to be dependent on the tribal affiliations of individual actors, and knowledge sharing dispositions was impacted by prejudices and social stereotypes. The research proposes practical considerations for organization management to foster knowledge exchange among the workforce.

scholarly journals Understanding employees’ intrapreneurial behavior: a case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1677-1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgiana-Alexandra Badoiu ◽  
Mercedes Segarra-Ciprés ◽  
Ana B. Escrig-Tena
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Single Case ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Corporate Entrepreneurship ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Top Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper insight into the organizational factors and personal motivations of intrapreneurs that may foster intrapreneurial behaviors of employees in a new technology-based firm (NTBF). Design/methodology/approach The paper takes a qualitative approach to explore organizational and individual antecedents of employees’ intrapreneurial behavior. A single case study was conducted on the basis of semi-structured interviews with the founders and top managers of the firm and with intrapreneurial employees. Findings Results show that intrapreneurial projects may arise in firms whose top managers support corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in a non-active manner. Intrapreneurial behaviors of employees can emerge despite the lack of time and limited resources available for undertaking projects. Moreover, work discretion and mutual confidence and the quality of the relationship between employees and top managers are the most valued factors for intrapreneurs. Practical implications Based on the intrapreneurial projects studied, this paper helps to contextualize intrapreneurs’ perception of organizational support and the personal motivations for leading projects within an NTBF. Originality/value Traditionally, the literature has mainly focused on the top-down implementation of entrepreneurial projects within large firms. This paper contributes to the understanding of the combination of firm- and individual-level factors that facilitate intrapreneurial behaviors of employees. It also illustrates the contextual conditions and the firms’ orientation on CE within an NTBF.

scholarly journals Managing the challenges of piggybacking into international markets

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Mark Rosenbaum ◽  
Tage Koed Madsen ◽  
Henrik Johanning
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Organizational Cultures ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Development ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Global Player ◽  
Managerial Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the process by which piggybacking partners attempt to overcome the challenges of interfirm diversity when entering foreign markets.Design/methodology/approachThe authors present a longitudinal case study following the collaboration between a rider (a small software developer) and carrier (a global player in software solution distribution) as a means of co-creating value for global customers in the pharmaceutical industry.FindingsThe authors find that despite differential size and incongruent organizational cultures, top managers were still initially able to facilitate collaboration through various knowledge-sharing initiatives, but that these efforts were subsequently undermined by middle managers (due to misaligned incentives), which prevented both parties from reaping the gains of piggybacking on global markets.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings have a number of implications for academics and practitioners alike. Theoretical implications include treating piggybacking as a special case of indirect exporting with particular challenges for knowledge exchange and trust building.Practical implicationsThe authors offer managerial implications for reconciling divergent organizational cultures, partner selection and incentive alignment.Originality/valueThis appears to be the first paper to empirically assess the viability of piggybacking as a foreign entry mode by examining the crucial processes of knowledge sharing and trust development within piggybacking arrangements.

scholarly journals Strategy communication and transition dynamics amongst managers: a public sector organization perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Demola Obembe ◽  
Jarrah Al Mansour ◽  
Oluwaseun Kolade
Keyword(s):  
Social Practice ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Strategy Implementation ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to build on the research-supported view that interactions between top and middle management enhances effective implementation of organizational strategies by exploring the role of internal actors in driving organizational strategy at the intersection between strategy formulation and strategy implementation.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a social practice perspective, we undertook semi-structured interviews of 27 top and middle level managers drawn from a single case organization. Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsDifferences in managerial perception of strategy has significant impact on implementation of strategic decisions as well as creating tensions in recursive communication practices between internal social actors. Furthermore, individual perceptions cannot only limit the extent of strategy awareness amongst key actors, the manifestations through social interaction between top and middle managers is a critical determinant of effective communication and realization of organizational strategy.Originality/valueThe research contributes to the strategy process and practice literature by exploring the dynamic interactions taking place at the intersections of strategy formulation-implementation phases of organizational strategy. It particularly highlights practical issues in top and middle manager interactions and implications for successful strategy implementation.

scholarly journals Assessing collaborative performance on construction projects through knowledge exchange

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 968-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergana Staykova ◽  
Jason Underwood
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collaborative Performance

Purpose How knowledge exchange (KE) can be used for the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance of project-based organisations in construction is explored. Collaboration on construction projects must be facilitated by people alongside practice of continuous performance assessment and improvement. Currently available assessment tools fail to explicitly define appropriate behaviours and actions due to a poor understanding of what it means for people to collaborate. In contrast, it is established that KE is the focus of collaborative efforts on construction projects; therefore, as most knowledge resides with people, it represents their role in collaboration. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Through a phenomenological/interpretivist and qualitative methodology, how KE can be used for the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance in project-based organisations in construction is explored. A single case study of a UK rail strategic alliance was adopted and six semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed through a thematic analysis. Findings An assessment tool is proposed based on a set of 20 characteristics of KE, divided into seven categories and linked to indicators of collaboration. The tool can be applied to highly collaborative projects where BIM and Lean are implemented, and project participants are collocated. By measuring their performance against the set criteria, project teams can assess which of their behaviours and actions are inappropriate, and focus their efforts on correcting them. Originality/value Defining the abstract indicators traditionally used to assess collaboration in terms of characteristics pertinent to day-to-day communication amongst participants on collaborative projects to facilitate the continuous assessment and improvement of collaborative performance.

Knowledge sharing in an interorganizational setting: empirical evidence from the Orange Line metro train project

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehab Iftikhar ◽  
Tuomas Ahola
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose This paper aims to focus on knowledge sharing process in an interorganizational setting. For this purpose, the context examined is the Orange Line metro train project in Pakistan, in which multiple organizations are involved. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a single case study approach. The empirical data comprises semi-structured interviews and archival documents. Thematic analysis is used for analyzing the data. Findings The findings present distinct mechanisms of knowledge sharing, which include knowledge sharing tools, both formal and informal; types of knowledge, i.e. tacit and explicit knowledge; and levels of units such as individuals, teams, organizations (internal knowledge sources) and the interorganizational level (external knowledge sources). Based on the findings, the authors propose an integrative model of the interplay between knowledge sharing tools, types of knowledge and levels of units. Furthermore, the findings depict that the knowledge sharing tools and types of knowledge are important at different levels of units, but their importance may vary depending on whether they are primary or supporting for different levels of units. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on knowledge-based theory by examining knowledge sharing in an interorganizational project. The proposed model deepens our understanding of the practices and processes of interorganizational knowledge sharing.

Research on the impact of knowledge sharing on risk control of inclusive finance in rural areas during the post-COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunlong Duan ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Yilin Chen ◽  
Weiqi Guo ◽  
Lisheng Yang
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Risk Control ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to focus on the impact of multi-level knowledge sharing between and within organizations on the risk control of rural inclusive finance. The paper presents a synergistic risk control system integrating external and internal factors for rural inclusive finance by constructing different knowledge-sharing platforms in an environment, which is full of many uncertainties. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on survey methods. To achieve the research objectives, the authors adopt a single case study approach. For data collection, the authors apply a wide variety of methods such as semi-structured interviews, field visits, second-hand databases and official websites. Findings The results emphasize that using multi-level knowledge sharing such as the inter- and intra-organizational level, can facilitate the risk control of rural inclusive finance during the post-COVID-19 era. Furthermore, it is also noted that achieving knowledge sharing at different levels by building diverse knowledge-sharing platforms can promote the risk control of rural inclusive finance from the individual-organization level to the chain level of multi-organization collaboration, which contributes to the formation of symbiotic risk control ecology. Research limitations/implications The authors have formed the “Chinese wisdom” to deal with inclusive financial risks and to promote in-depth development in relation to the “last mile” practice of inclusive finance, which means the final and the most important phase of a project. The conclusions contribute to enriching the outcomes regarding the risk control of rural inclusive finance, provide experiences to its sustainable development and offer a reference to other countries with their risk control of rural inclusive finance. Originality/value Drawing on the knowledge-sharing approach, this study creatively resolves the persistent problems in the risk control of rural inclusive finance, which forms a powerful supplement to the extant literature. Meanwhile, the paper combines the two contextual factors of the post-COVID-19 era and emerging economies, which can be deemed as a novel attempt.

Open innovation and knowledge networking in a multinational corporation

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Schneckenberg
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Multinational Firms ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Multinational Firm ◽  
Large Firms ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to inquire how large multinational firms can develop and implement knowledge-sharing measures that move their corporate strategy towards the open innovation paradigm, since open innovation becomes increasingly important as source for competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – We review the literature on open innovation and combine it with a single case study of one multinational firm that is gradually implementing its open innovation strategy. We pay special attention to the development and usage of a collaborative IS infrastructure that is deployed to create a culture of openness and to support knowledge networking amongst the workforce. Findings – The in-depth case study demonstrates that managers have to balance a complex interplay of human and IT components to make open innovation happen. Measures taken to foster openness and knowledge exchange inside the firm include developing managerial innovation capabilities, creating communities and networks around strategic topics and leveraging the adoption of the collaborative IS infrastructure through piloting use of cases in innovation projects. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this case study remain limited to the characteristics of large firms in multinational markets. Practical implications – This article offers valuable insights for corporate strategists, IT specialists and change managers who want to open up corporate innovation. We present a range of institutional measures that help to overcome silo mentalities and knowledge-sharing barriers and establish an open innovation culture within large firms operating in multinational markets. Originality/value – Complementing previous research, this article highlights how large firms can use a combination of strategic, cultural and technological measures to bring open innovation from strategic vision to organisation-wide reality. We identify in addition factors which either inhibit or foster the implementation of knowledge sharing and open innovation practices inside large firms.

scholarly journals A Case Study of Academics’ Knowledge Sharing Motivations at Malaysian Public Academic Institutions

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alsaleh Saad
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Public University ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Analysis Method

This qualitative case study aims to explore and describe the academicians’ knowledge sharing motivations in a Malaysian public university. A single case study was conducted with the aim to gather deeper insights on the knowledge sharing motivation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. A total of 15 renowned academicians were interviewed. Content analysis method was used to extract the knowledge sharing motivations from the qualitative data. The research results reveal seven important factors which motivate academicians to share their knowledge. These motivations are build reputation, acknowledgement (includes gain rewards, get a promotion, and recognition), to be knowledgeable, reciprocity, vision and mission, mentoring, personal beliefs (includes culture, sense of responsibility, and religion). The research comprehensive analysis and results would expand an area of knowledge sharing motivations among academicians in universities which may still theoretically and empirically not adequately explored and described.

scholarly journals The evolution of parents’ beliefs about childhood cancer during diagnostic communication: a qualitative study in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. e004653
Author(s):  
Dylan Graetz ◽  
Silvia Rivas ◽  
Lucia Fuentes ◽  
Ana Cáceres-Serrano ◽  
Gia Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Education ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cancer Communication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Centre ◽  
Treatment Abandonment ◽  
Cancer Beliefs

IntroductionFatalistic cancer beliefs may contribute to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes, including treatment abandonment, for children with cancer. This study explored Guatemalan parents’ cancer beliefs during initial paediatric cancer communication, and the sociocultural and contextual factors that influence these beliefs.MethodsTwenty families of children with cancer were included in this study. We audio-recorded psychosocial conversations with psychologists and diagnostic conversations with oncologists, then conducted semi-structured interviews with parents to explore the evolution of their cancer beliefs. Audio-recordings were transcribed and translated from Spanish into English, with additional review in both languages by bilingual team members. All 60 transcripts were thematically analysed using a priori and novel codes.ResultsGuatemalan parents’ beliefs evolve as they learn about cancer through various sources. Sources of information external to the cancer centre, including prior experiences with cancer, media exposure, community discussion and clinical encounters, contribute to pre-existing beliefs. Many parents’ pre-existing cancer beliefs are fatalistic; some are influenced by Mayan spirituality. Sources internal to the cancer centre include psychologists and oncologists, other providers, other patients and families. Psychologists acknowledge pre-existing beliefs and deliver cancer education using verbal explanations and hand-drawings. Oncologists provide diagnostic information and outline treatment plans. Both support hope by providing a path toward cure. Parents’ lived experience is a culmination of sources and simultaneously independent. Ultimately most parents arrive at an understanding of cancer that is consistent with an allopathic medical model and offers optimism about outcomes.ConclusionAn interdisciplinary communication process that includes cancer education, is attentive to pre-existing beliefs, and supports hope may encourage acceptance of the allopathic medical model and need for treatment. Providers in settings of all resource levels may be able to use these techniques to support cross-cultural cancer communication, reduce treatment abandonment and improve therapy adherence.

Between sexual assault and compassion: The experience of living with a spouse’s dementia-related hypersexuality—A narrative case-study

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110320
Author(s):  
Dovrat Harel ◽  
Tova Band-Winterstein ◽  
Hadass Goldblatt
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Older Woman ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Narrative Case Study ◽  
As If

Background Hypersexuality is one of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This symptom can lead to poor quality of life for the person who lives with dementia, as well as for his or her caregiver, who might be exposed to sexual assault. Aim This study aimed to highlight the experience of an older woman living and coping with a spouse who exhibits dementia-related hypersexuality. Method A narrative case-study of a single case was designed, composed of four semi-structured interviews conducted over a 10-month period. The data were analyzed through thematic, structural, and performance analysis. Findings Four phases were revealed, depicting the experience of being a partner and caregiver of a spouse with dementia-related hypersexuality: a) “I need help”: A distress call; b) “It depends how long I agree to go on with it”: Living with the ambiguous reality of dementia-related hypersexual behavior within an ongoing intimate relationship; c) “It’s as if I’m hugging someone who’s no longer alive”: The transition from the previous couplehood identity to a new couplehood identity; and d) “I am just taking care of him as if he is a child”: A compassionate couplehood identity construction. Conclusions Living with a partner with dementia-related hypersexuality is a distressing experience for the caregiver-spouse. Yet, positive memories from a long intimate relationship can lead to the creation of a compassionate identity, which supports the caregiving process, and creates a sense of acceptance and meaning making. This, in turn, enables a positive aging experience. These finding have some practical implications for supporting and intervening in such cases.

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