scholarly journals Successful Strategies for Using Knowledge Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-361
Author(s):  
Dr. Josephine K. Nsubuga-Mugoa ◽  
Dr. Irene A. Williams ◽  
Dr. Jorge Gaytan
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Methodological Triangulation ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies that managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use to effectively integrate knowledge management (KM) into business practices. The study population comprised of five managers from two SMEs operating in Uganda. The eligibility criteria were that participants had to be managers from Ugandan SMEs with a knowledge-intensive environment, with some responsibility of KM in the organization, and experienced with at least 1 year of successful KM practices. The conceptual framework for this study was theory z. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews, and reviews of company documents. Member checking was completed to strengthen credibility and trustworthiness. Synthesis: After methodological triangulation of the data sources collected and completion of Yin’s 5-step process of data analysis, five themes emerged: having supportive leadership, ensuring sustainability, embedding KM practices in the organization culture, socialization, and embracing modern technology. The findings of this study might promote social change by supporting small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) managers’ use of KM to expand opportunities for employees to learn new skills and knowledge leading to the expansion of employment opportunities.

scholarly journals Operationalization of knowledge management in knowledge-intensive Pakistani banks: a qualitative case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Bashir Memon ◽  
Wajid Hussain Rizvi ◽  
Sumaiya Syed
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

This exploratory study deals with the core issues related to the operationalization of knowledge management in knowledge-intensive Pakistani banks. In terms of scientific relevance, this study is important, because it contributes to the body of literature on knowledge management issues in the context of banks in Pakistan. A qualitative research approach involving semi-structured interviews with senior managers and HR heads was adopted for the study. A total of sixteen interviews were conducted with senior managers and HR heads. All the interviews were carried out face to face amongst purposively selected participants from four commercial banks. The research findings were derived from the rigorous analytical process based on the qualitative content analysis method for making replicable and valid inferences from data in their context. The findings indicate that the present knowledge management system of the banks in Pakistan has helped members to meet the information needs through capture and to share explicit knowledge.

Predictors of it Support for Knowledge Management in the Professions: An Empirical Study of Law Firms in Norway

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petter Gottschalk
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Law Firms ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Knowledge management is an increasingly important source of competitive advantage for organizations. Knowledge embedded in an organization's business processes and an employee's skills provide a firm with unique capabilities for delivering a product or service to customers. Law firms represent an industry which seems very well suited for knowledge management investigation. Law firms are knowledge intensive and the use of advanced technology may transform these organizations in the future. To examine knowledge management in Norwegian law firms, a study which involved two phases of data collection and analysis was designed. The first phase was a field study of the largest law firm in Norway. The semi-structured interviews conducted in the initial field study documented a strong belief in the potential benefits from knowledge management. The second phase was a survey of Norwegian law firms. Firm culture, firm knowledge and use of information technology were identified as potential predictors of information technology support for knowledge management in law firms in Norway. The extent to which law firms in Norway use information technology to support knowledge management is significantly influenced by the extent firms generally use information technology.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND NEW SERVICE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE: INSIGHTS FROM KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE BUSINESS SERVICE

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 371-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHUNZHONG LIU
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Service Development ◽  
New Service Development ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Supportive Culture ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Knowledge Intensive Business Service ◽  
The Relationship

Current research on new service development (NSD) management has resulted in an impressive amount of literature on the success factors of new service development, but there is little literature on NSD organizational culture. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between organization culture and NSD performance. Data were collected via questionnaires through face-to-face interviews with KIBS managers knowledgeable about NSD in their organization (sample size 192). The set correlation analysis was chosen to assess and evaluate the relationship between organization culture and NSD performance. Research results indicate that there exist strongly complementary relationships among innovative supportive culture, market orientation culture, learning culture and customer communication culture. This study outlines that the NSD management should perform to foster the different NSD organizational culture together and thereby enhance the performance of new service development activities.

Knowledge management influences on strategy dissemination: Cemig case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Kátia Regina De Melo Teixeira ◽  
Rodrigo Baroni de Carvalho ◽  
Humberto Elias Garcia Lopes ◽  
Grace Vieira Becker
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
University Education ◽  
Strategic Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Energy Company ◽  
Rich Media ◽  
The Difference

This study aimed to understand and analyze the influence of Knowledge Management on the process of strategy dissemination at Cemig (Energy Company of Minas Gerais, Brazil). A model linking the interfaces between the themes of Strategy and Knowledge Management was developed as part of the theoretical background. In order to understand the strategy dissemination flow, thirty (30) semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees at all organizational levels: directors, superintendents, managers, and employees with university education as well as technical and operational level education. The documental analysis of files concerning corporate strategy as well as direct observation were conducted, allowing data triangulation. Content analysis was used to analyze the interviews. The results revealed that the existence of knowledge management influences the strategy dissemination in Cemig. This influence, however, varies according to the use of communication channels, tools and practices. It can be noticed that the use of tools and channels is configured as an input accessory (media support). Nevertheless, what really made the difference was the use of face-to-face communication (rich media). The importance of the leader in the process of strategy dissemination was also identified. Not all leaders, even acknowledging the importance of their role in this process, have already put their words into practice. We conclude, therefore, that there is already a consistent and recognized organizational effort in externalizing strategic knowledge through the various channels, tools and practices available. However, it is clear that the process of internalization of strategic knowledge by the employees still needs to be improved. It is expected that the expansion and maturity of the direct contact between leaders and teams will strengthen knowledge internalization and the contribution of individual employees to strategy achievement.

scholarly journals The nurse without a nurse: the antecedents of presenteeism in nursing

BMC Nursing ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi ◽  
Nahid Dehghan Nayeri ◽  
Shokoh Varaei ◽  
Arezoo Rasti
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Limited Power ◽  
Health Complications ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

Abstract Background Presenteeism describes the state in which staff who lack the conditions for being present at work and need rest and leave for various reasons (such as illness, low spirits, fatigue, etc.) are present at the workplace. Due to the lack of knowledge about the antecedents of presenteeism in nurses and the context-based nature of this concept, the present study was conducted to explain the reasons for presenteeism in nurses. Methods This qualitative study was performed using the qualitative content analysis method. The study population consisted of 17 nurses working in different wards of hospitals. In this regard, data were collected from February to June 2020 using individual, face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results The nurse without a nurse was a category introduced as an antecedent of presenteeism. In this respect, nurses experienced limited power, injustice, compulsory presence, inadequate structural facilities, damaged professional identity, manager-nurse disconnect, insufficient knowledge, physical and mental health complications, job stress, job burnout, multitasking, and impaired communication. Conclusion The nurse, who has been responsible for caring, supporting, advising, advocating, and educating the patient, has now been left without a nurse. In other words, not nursing the nurse has given rise to the emergence of presenteeism. It is recommended that the results of this study be used in making health policies. The results of this study can make nurses’ voices heard by health leaders and managers. A voice that has never been heard as it deserves.

Big data investments in knowledge and non-knowledge intensive firms: what the market tells us

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Zhang ◽  
William Yu Chung Wang ◽  
David J. Pauleen
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Stock Prices ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the value of big data investments by examining the market reaction to company announcements of big data investments and tests the effect for firms that are either knowledge intensive or not. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on an event study using data from two stock markets in China. Findings The stock market sees an overall index increase in stock prices when announcements of big data investments are revealed by grouping all the listed firms included in the sample. Increased stock prices are also the case for non-knowledge intensive firms. However, the stock market does not seem to react to big data investment announcements by testing the knowledge intensive firms along. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the literature on assessing the economic value of big data investments from the perspective of big data information value chain by taking an unexpected change in stock price as the measure of the financial performance of the investment and by comparing market reactions between knowledge intensive firms and non-knowledge intensive firms. Findings of this study can be used to refine practitioners’ understanding of the economic value of big data investments to different firms and provide guidance to their future investments in knowledge management to maximize the benefits along the big data information value chain. However, findings of study should be interpreted carefully when applying them to companies that are not publicly traded on the stock market or listed on other financial markets. Originality/value Based on the concept of big data information value chain, this study advances research on the economic value of big data investments. Taking the perspective of stock market investors, this study investigates how the stock market reacts to big data investments by comparing the reactions to knowledge-intensive firms and non-knowledge-intensive firms. The results may be particularly interesting to those publicly traded companies that have not previously invested in knowledge management systems. The findings imply that stock investors tend to believe that big data investment could possibly increase the future returns for non-knowledge-intensive firms.

scholarly journals Telling Our Stories: Resilience during Resettlement for African Skilled Migrants in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3954
Author(s):  
Lillian Mwanri ◽  
Leticia Anderson ◽  
Kathomi Gatwiri
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
African Migrants ◽  
Cultural Expectations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Resilience Factors

Background: Emigration to Australia by people from Africa has grown steadily in the past two decades, with skilled migration an increasingly significant component of migration streams. Challenges to resettlement in Australia by African migrants have been identified, including difficulties securing employment, experiences of racism, discrimination and social isolation. These challenges can negatively impact resettlement outcomes, including health and wellbeing. There has been limited research that has examined protective and resilience factors that help highly skilled African migrants mitigate the aforementioned challenges in Australia. This paper discusses how individual and community resilience factors supported successful resettlement Africans in Australia. The paper is contextualised within a larger study which sought to investigate how belonging and identity inform Afrodiasporic experiences of Africans in Australia. Methods: A qualitative inquiry was conducted with twenty-seven (n = 27) skilled African migrants based in South Australia, using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Participants were not directly questioned about ‘resilience,’ but were encouraged to reflect critically on how they navigated the transition to living in Australia, and to identify factors that facilitated a successful resettlement. Results: The study findings revealed a mixture of settlement experiences for participants. Resettlement challenges were observed as barriers to fully meeting expectations of emigration. However, there were significant protective factors reported that supported resilience, including participants’ capacities for excellence and willingness to work hard; the social capital vested in community and family support networks; and African religious and cultural values and traditions. Many participants emphasised their pride in their contributions to Australian society as well as their desire to contribute to changing narratives of what it means to be African in Australia. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that despite challenges, skilled African migrants’ resilience, ambition and determination were significant enablers to a healthy resettlement in Australia, contributing effectively to social, economic and cultural expectations, and subsequently meeting most of their own migration intentions. These findings suggest that resilience factors identified in the study are key elements of integration.

scholarly journals PARE0023 ORAL HEALTH IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: LISTENING TO PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1297.2-1297
Author(s):  
J. Protudjer ◽  
C. Billedeau ◽  
C. Stavropoulou ◽  
A. Cholakis ◽  
R. Schroth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Periodontal Disease ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Oral Health Education ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Latent Content

Background:Rates of periodontal disease and tooth loss are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Periodontal disease may exacerbate RA inflammation and complicate RA care. Understanding factors that contribute to the increased burden of periodontal disease in RA is critical to improving oral health and possibly arthritis outcomes. People with RA may have unique needs and/or barriers to maintain oral health.Objectives:To determine from people with RA what are their experiences and perceptions about their oral health, their most important questions relating to oral health, and how they wish to receive oral health information.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with RA patients. Recorded interview transcripts underwent iterative content analysis. Transcripts were initially reviewed to develop a coding guide. Latent content, or larger themes, were then applied to the transcripts. Constructs were considered saturated when no new themes were identified with subsequent interviews. We report identified themes with representative quotes.Results:Interviews with 11 RA (10[91%] female; all on RA medication) averaged 19 minutes (range 8-31 minutes) and were mostly conducted face-to-face. Many believed RA medication contributed to dry mouth. Most participants had not previously considered other links between oral health and RA. Themes identified included the need for complicated oral health routines, barriers of cost and access to dental care, and shame relating to oral health (Table 1). Participants preferred to receive oral health education from their rheumatologists or dentists over printed or online resources.Conclusion:RA patients have unique needs relating to oral health and report poor oral quality of life. Strategies to optimize oral health in RA may include educational tools for optimizing oral self-care appropriate for RA, and improved access to oral care professionals who are aware of the needs of arthritis patients.Disclosure of Interests:Jennifer Protudjer: None declared, Corrie Billedeau: None declared, Chrysi Stavropoulou: None declared, Anastasia Cholakis: None declared, Robert Schroth: None declared, Carol Hitchon Grant/research support from: UCB Canada; Pfizer Canada

Women’s Czech Folk Costume: Negotiating Ambivalence and White Ethnicity in the Midwest

2021 ◽  
pp. 0887302X2110275
Author(s):  
Erin French ◽  
Kelly L. Reddy-Best
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Identity ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
Czech Population ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Ethnic Heritage

Folk costume is traditionally worn to represent and preserve ethnic heritage. Large numbers of Czechs emigrated to America from the 1870s to 1920s, but eventually, a generation was born that had little contact with their immigrant ancestors. The purpose of our research was to examine what role folk costume plays in the negotiation of Czech ethnic identity and how meaning is constructed and communicated through Czech folk costumes for modern-day wearers. We conducted 11 indepth, semi-structured interviews with descendants of Czech immigrants in a previously unexplored Czech population of the Midwest. We identified four major themes: feelings of connectedness; sense of pride and joy; importance of perceived authenticity; and variation, nuance, and meaning of costume construction and style. Through our work, we contribute to the preservation and documentation of modern-day Czech traditions, ongoing discussions surrounding defining cultural traditions, and business practices of retailers.

scholarly journals Why do Irish pig farmers use medications? Barriers for effective reduction of antimicrobials in Irish pig production

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Diana ◽  
Sylvia Snijders ◽  
Alison Rieple ◽  
Laura Ann Boyle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Potential Barriers ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Personal Action ◽  
Barriers And Challenges ◽  
Attitudinal Changes

Abstract Background In addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is critical to understand the barriers to the uptake of strategies for the reduction of antimicrobial use (AMU) in the pig industry. In several EU countries, factors such as education level, habits and social pressures are recognised as affecting farmers’ decision-making process in relation to AMU. However, there is a lack of information on the Irish scenario. The aim of this study was to investigate pig farmers’ perspectives and their behaviour towards AMU to identify potential barriers to effectively reduce AMU in Irish pig production. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 30 pig farmers, 5 pig veterinarians and 4 focus groups of pig farm personnel. We employed qualitative analyses to explore the objective of the study. Results Qualitative analysis revealed six convergent themes as potential barriers: perceptions about the need for AMU on farm, concept of animal welfare and associated management practices, legislation, culture, economics and standards of communication/type of advice-network. Overall, pig farmers believed that there is poor communication between stakeholders (i.e. farmers, vets and advisors) and a lack of reliable people to approach for advice. They considered themselves as operating responsibly in terms of AMU compared to their national and international colleagues and expressed the importance of a so-called ‘Irish solution’ to the problem of AMU because it was associated with what ‘has always been done’ and was therefore considered reliable and safe. Conclusions Barriers and challenges were in line with those identified in other EU countries highlighting similarities in behavioural and attitudinal patterns among pig farmers. Overall, farmers appeared to be more likely to rely on previous experiences or to wait for an imposed change (e.g. legislation) instead of taking personal action. Thus, considerable behavioural and attitudinal changes are needed to adopt a more responsible AMU in Irish pig production and to develop effective intervention strategies.

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