Enabling Factors for Knowledge Sharing among Employees in the Workplace

2014 ◽  
pp. 978-1003
Author(s):  
Temtim Assefa ◽  
Monica Garfield ◽  
Million Meshesha
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Commercial Bank ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Business Goals ◽  
Individual Task ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

This chapter investigates enabling factors that promote knowledge sharing among employees in the workplace. The study was conducted on employees of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) as a research case. Banks in particular and financial institutions in general are now becoming knowledge intensive organizations where knowledge is used as a key strategic resource to achieve their business goals as well as competitive advantage. This study uses an exploratory case study research method that allows deeper understanding and interpretation. Although there is plenty of literature on knowledge sharing, existing findings are not consistent due to the influence of contextual factors on knowledge sharing. This study identifies organizational, individual, task characteristics, and technological factors as main enabling factors that promote knowledge sharing in the workplace. Although organizations put much emphasis on technology to promote knowledge sharing in the workplace, non-technological factors (organizational and individual factors) appear more significant. As the study was conducted on a commercial bank within developing economies context, it contributes additional perspectives to confirm or extend existing findings on knowledge sharing.

Enabling Factors for Knowledge Sharing among Employees in the Workplace

2014 ◽  
pp. 246-271
Author(s):  
Temtim Assefa ◽  
Monica Garfield ◽  
Million Meshesha
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Commercial Bank ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Business Goals ◽  
Individual Task ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

This chapter investigates enabling factors that promote knowledge sharing among employees in the workplace. The study was conducted on employees of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) as a research case. Banks in particular and financial institutions in general are now becoming knowledge intensive organizations where knowledge is used as a key strategic resource to achieve their business goals as well as competitive advantage. This study uses an exploratory case study research method that allows deeper understanding and interpretation. Although there is plenty of literature on knowledge sharing, existing findings are not consistent due to the influence of contextual factors on knowledge sharing. This study identifies organizational, individual, task characteristics, and technological factors as main enabling factors that promote knowledge sharing in the workplace. Although organizations put much emphasis on technology to promote knowledge sharing in the workplace, non-technological factors (organizational and individual factors) appear more significant. As the study was conducted on a commercial bank within developing economies context, it contributes additional perspectives to confirm or extend existing findings on knowledge sharing.

Knowledge Management Enablers and Knowledge Sharing Process

2010 ◽  
pp. 199-211
Author(s):  
Kalsom Salleh ◽  
Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan ◽  
Syed Noh Syed Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Systems Analysts ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Physical Assets

In the knowledge based economy era, the success of an organization lies more in its intellectual capital and system capabilities than its physical assets and financial capital. Therefore, professional intellects such as lawyers, doctors, systems analysts, accountants are an important source of intelligence for most organizations. Knowledge Management (KM) in a public sector organization can take advantage the transfer and sharing process of experiences, ideas and expertise of the organization’s professional intellects for the organization’s knowledge assets with the support of information technology. Therefore, this chapter presents the knowledge sharing model that interconnects KM enablers and knowledge sharing process for KM implementation success in the public sector accounting organization in Malaysia. Survey questionnaires were used as the main instrument to collect data from all public sector accountants working in the Accountant General’s Department (AGD) which is an accounting specialist department of the Federal Government in Malaysia. This selected knowledge intensive accounting organization has a large pool of public sector accountants and the core competencies of the organization are to provide timely accounting information and quality accounting services to all agencies of the Federal Government. Therefore, knowledge management (KM) in this case study organization is concerned with the flow of accounting knowledge during the sharing process of public sector accountants and getting value through the knowledge flow for the organizational performance. Since the main task of the AGD is heavily related to accounting process and technology for its financial data integrity, the statistical results of this case study research provide evidence that knowledge sharing technology has a high significant impact on the knowledge sharing performance as compared to other moderate significant factors such as leadership roles to create knowledge sharing culture, ICT skills and know-how of accountants and the ICT infrastructure and software for the accounting information system.

scholarly journals Knowledge sharing in knowledge-intensive manufacturing firms. An empirical study of its enablers

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1124-1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Cavaliere ◽  
Sara Lombardi ◽  
Luca Giustiniano
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Technological Factors ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate, following previous studies on knowledge-sharing (KS) processes that consist of knowledge donating (KD) and knowledge collecting (KC), the relationship between KS processes and KS enablers to understand the effect of organizational, individual and technological factors. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a Web survey. Data were collected from a sample of 759 knowledge workers selected from 23 knowledge-intensive manufacturing companies exposed to international markets and located in Tuscany (Italy). The analysis is based on multivariate regression models considering KD and KC as dependent variables. Findings – The results show that individual, organizational and technological factors matter to KS. Specifically, the paper reports that individual-level enablers and supportive leadership have a positive effect on both sub-processes of knowledge sharing. Further, the organic management system has a strong and positive impact on KD, while the efficacy of information and communication technology solutions is positively related to KC. Research limitations/implications – Although based on a geographically bounded perimeter, the analysis allows some generalizations. In fact, the paper proposes a set of enablers that empirically link micro- and macro-organizational mechanisms to KS. Practical implications – The evidence described can help improve the organizational management of KS and, consequently, support managers dealing with organizational design aimed at successful KS. Originality/value – The paper presents original results by combining individual, organizational and technological variables in the explanation of KS. It could be a basis for further studies.

Designing Organisational Memory in Knowledge-Intensive Companies

2003 ◽  
pp. 137-153
Author(s):  
Dee Alwis ◽  
Vlatka Hlupic ◽  
George Rzevski
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Organisational Memory ◽  
Business Opportunities ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Organisational memory refers to the storage of a company’s collective expertise and experience that is cultivated through human and technological networks for improving organisational performance. A knowledge-sharing environment gives employees access to the most innovative and creative ideas that exist within the company and translates into significant business opportunities for the organisation. In this chapter, the issues related to designing organisational memory in knowledge-intensive companies are investigated using a case study example. Key findings of the case study are outlined, and a framework is proposed to assist knowledge-intensive organisations in implementing and managing a corporate knowledge base.

The effect of HRM practices on knowledge management capacity: a comparative study in Indian IT industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmila Gope ◽  
Gianluca Elia ◽  
Giuseppina Passiante
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
It Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Capacity ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose Successful businesses demand high-performing human resource management practices (HRMP) and effective knowledge management capacity (KMC) to enhance the overall organizational performance. Rapid growth of both local and multinational companies operating in knowledge-intensive industries has increased the global competition in the labor market, also for the developing economies. Therefore, attracting valuable human capital, retaining talents and managing effectively knowledge to deliver on the latest technologies and innovative solutions and services are the biggest challenges in the modern IT industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of HRMP on KMC through a cross-case analysis including four companies operating in Indian IT sector. Based on the existing studies in this field, five key HRMP have been identified (i.e. recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and reward, employee retention and career development), as well as two key processes supporting the KMC (i.e. knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing). Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a qualitative research method based on a multiple case study, and it uses primary and secondary data collected through desk research and field interviews. Findings Results show the existence of HRMP aiming to enhance the individual learning, motivation and retention of employees for knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing, in the strategic perspective to improve the organizational performance. Research limitations/implications The paper presents some limitations, which may provide scope for future research. First, being the study a qualitative multiple case analysis, a more extensive research is needed to generalize the results and investigate further relationships existing between HRMP and KMC. Moreover, a deep investigation on the organizational performance dimensions (e.g. sales growth, cash turnover, financial goal achievement) is required to verify the existence of possible links. Finally, a further limit consists in considering only knowledge acquisition and knowledge-sharing processes, excluding another crucial knowledge management (KM) process such as knowledge application. As for the research implications, the paper contributes to investigate the role of HRMP in supporting KMC in Indian IT companies, which represents a context of research not so much investigated. Practical implications From a practitioner point of view, the study can be helpful to HR and KM managers for motivating employees to undertake learning processes and enhance their performance, as well as to acquire and share knowledge resources that are useful for the organization to remain innovative and stay competitive. Originality/value As the influence of HRMP on KMC has not been widely studied in the Indian IT industry, the study may open the field for further studies on a deeper investigation of the relationships existing between human resources management (HRM), KM and organizational performance in knowledge-intensive industries in India and, more in general, in developing economies.

Enablers and Barriers of Knowledge Sharing for Offshore Outsource ISD Project

2016 ◽  
pp. 999-1015
Author(s):  
Hans Solli-Sæther ◽  
Jan Terje Karlsen
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Cultural Heterogeneity ◽  
Qualified Personnel ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Structured Approach

Many firms increase their flexibility and raise their information systems development (ISD) capacity by exploiting qualified personnel in low cost countries. Since ISD is a knowledge-intensive activity, knowledge sharing is particularly critical in an offshore outsourcing context. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of enablers and barriers to knowledge sharing in offshore ISD projects. This research is important, as there is a need to understand knowledge organizations case by case to develop effective and contingent strategies to increase knowledge sharing. The empirical data are based on a qualitative case study with in-depth interviews following a semi-structured approach. In this research we investigate a Norwegian based information systems service provider and their offshoring of ISD to Bangladesh. The paper contributes to understanding the role and specific challenges of knowledge sharing in offshoring ISD projects. The empirical results showed that structural as well as political, cultural and personal enablers play an essential role in facilitating knowledge sharing. The role of the Scrum methodology, in particular, with its daily Scrum meeting should be underlined because it enables coordination, communication and knowledge sharing between the parties. Additionally, several key barriers hindering knowledge sharing were discovered such as lack of direct personal interaction, time differences, poor infrastructure, cultural heterogeneity, and different personalities.

Enablers and Barriers of Knowledge Sharing for Offshore Outsource ISD Project

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Solli-Sæther ◽  
Jan Terje Karlsen
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Offshore Outsourcing ◽  
Cultural Heterogeneity ◽  
Qualified Personnel ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Structured Approach

Many firms increase their flexibility and raise their information systems development (ISD) capacity by exploiting qualified personnel in low cost countries. Since ISD is a knowledge-intensive activity, knowledge sharing is particularly critical in an offshore outsourcing context. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of enablers and barriers to knowledge sharing in offshore ISD projects. This research is important, as there is a need to understand knowledge organizations case by case to develop effective and contingent strategies to increase knowledge sharing. The empirical data are based on a qualitative case study with in-depth interviews following a semi-structured approach. In this research we investigate a Norwegian based information systems service provider and their offshoring of ISD to Bangladesh. The paper contributes to understanding the role and specific challenges of knowledge sharing in offshoring ISD projects. The empirical results showed that structural as well as political, cultural and personal enablers play an essential role in facilitating knowledge sharing. The role of the Scrum methodology, in particular, with its daily Scrum meeting should be underlined because it enables coordination, communication and knowledge sharing between the parties. Additionally, several key barriers hindering knowledge sharing were discovered such as lack of direct personal interaction, time differences, poor infrastructure, cultural heterogeneity, and different personalities.

Emergent approach to knowledge management by small companies: multiple case-study research

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Zieba ◽  
Ettore Bolisani ◽  
Enrico Scarso
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Business Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the knowledge management (KM) approach followed by small companies. In particular, after introducing the notion of emergent approach, the paper aims to examine if that notion is useful to properly describe the way small businesses approach their KM activities. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the results of a qualitative survey involving 12 owners and managers of small companies belonging to the knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) sector. The survey uses the case-study method. Findings The findings confirm that the approach to KM adopted by small companies can be defined as emergent: in the analysed cases, there were no formal KM plans, despite the fact that the examined companies have all introduced various KM practices. This shows that there can be the need to define KM approaches that better fit smaller companies. Practical implications Although an emergent approach may be seen as unplanned, companies should learn how to be aware of their KM practices and, once they are, how to develop them properly. For executives to be able to recognize emergent KM practices, notions and elements of KM need to be introduced in their business background and professional education (e.g. how KM fits into a small organization, what KM processes are, what KM tools and practices exist, etc.). Originality/value The study contributes to the understanding of KM in really small entities, still a much under-explored topic.

Qualitative Case Study Research Design

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Tetnowski
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Real World ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Study Research

Qualitative case study research can be a valuable tool for answering complex, real-world questions. This method is often misunderstood or neglected due to a lack of understanding by researchers and reviewers. This tutorial defines the characteristics of qualitative case study research and its application to a broader understanding of stuttering that cannot be defined through other methodologies. This article will describe ways that data can be collected and analyzed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document