scholarly journals Knowledge Transfer Across Types of Assignments: Case study of an International Oil Company

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Amal. M. Jawad

The principal objective of this paper is to explore how using different sorts of international assignments (short-term expatriation, long-term expatriation, short-term inpatriation) enable the headquarters (HQ) and ancillary branches to transfer an assortment of knowledge types (procedural, declarative, axiomatic, and relational knowledge) from the HQ to their ancillaries, through the period of assignment. The current study used a qualitative approach based on the data collection strategy of semi-structured interviews with 20 partakers with standings of international assignment (IA). The content analysis methodology was managed to analyze and codify the interviews. The findings reveal that every single kind of assignment acts as a special knowledge transfer situation. The principal benefaction of our study is that it delivered a more precise understanding of international assignments as knowledge transfer situations than any research in precedence. While the contributions of this study have been salient, certain limitations pave the way for extensive research possibilities. To begin with, this paper lays emphasis on a large organisation in the Oil and Gas sector in three countries, UK (the HQ), Oman and UAE, which limits generalization of the findings. The paper reviews the implications of selecting IA to transfer the various types of knowledge. We achieve this by distinguishing the knowledge convey role of international assignments across different types of assignments, types of knowledge, and the direction and timing of knowledge transfer through or following the international assignment. First this paper is necessary to analyze the success of knowledge transfer and IA and ascertain their application. To the best of our knowledge, this research one of the rare studies that include the engineer’s perspective in the global Oil and Gas sector. This umbrella approach aids in better understanding IA and knowledge transfer.

Author(s):  
Jibran Hafeez ◽  
Rameez Khalid ◽  
Shahid Mir

Measuring supply chain performance is an important business success factor in today's competitive environment and continuous improvement culture. Several models have been developed for this purpose, however, such models lack standardized language and are not well known in the developing countries. Supply Chain Council (SCC) developed Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model. This paper presents a case-based action-research for a step-by-step implementation of SCOR model. The case company belongs to oil and gas sector in a developing country. As-Is model was developed and analyzed for gaps. Reasons were identified using company documents and semi-structured interviews. To-Be model was then developed along with recommendations keeping into account the challenges faced by companies operating in emerging markets. The step-by-step SCOR implementation was found to be effective. It is further found that adapting the SCOR model for developing countries is a time-intensive effort and adapting the best practices can be a better option.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Kollinger ◽  
Riina Koris

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify what (de)motivates millennial students from undertaking mobility upon graduation and whether this depends on gender, region of origin, prior work experience, level of studies, or international mindset and how. The paper provides insights on the preferred length of mobility and the most (un)attractive regions.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consists of 1,001 millennial students from 77 countries. Data from a quantitative self-reported survey were analysed employing exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory data analyses.FindingsFactors that motivate mobility are personal development, learning about foreign cultures and the opportunity to travel and those that demotivate are a preference for short-term assignments, unwillingness of family to move and disruption of home country life. Factors differ by region, gender, level of current studies and the student's international mindset.Research limitations/implicationsThe cohort included only students pursuing a business or technical education. A willingness to accept an international assignment may not necessarily translate into accepting an international assignment due to the effect of the attitude–behaviour gap. The authors do not aim to generalise on the basis of the results since the sample was fairly disproportionate in terms of world regions. We do, however, invite further studies to treat ours as potential input for new and emerging studies of either a quantitative or qualitative nature.Practical implicationsDue to a strong attachment to home, short-term assignments are preferred. Salary and financial benefits remain hygienic factors and motivating factors remain on the “soft” side. Motivating millennials to engage in mobility requires an individualised approach, dependent on region of origin, gender, the level of education, work experience and international mindset.Originality/valueThis study indicates that the factors that (de)motivate millennial students to engage in international assignments differ on the basis of various socio-demographic variables.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1573-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saleem Sumbal ◽  
Eric Tsui ◽  
Ricky Cheong ◽  
Eric W.K. See-to

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the critical types of knowledge lost when employees depart companies in the oil and gas field. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a grounded theory methodology. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite informants in the oil and gas sector to gain an in-depth insight into the research problem. ATLAS.ti was used for data analysis and coding. Findings In the oil and gas industry, employees generally have job rotation and work at various geographical locations during their career. The departing employees possess valuable types of knowledge depending on the role and duties they have performed over the years. These include specialized technical knowledge, contextual knowledge of working at different geographical locations, knowledge of train wrecks and history of company, knowledge of relationships and networks, knowledge of business processes and knowledge of management. Research limitations/implications The study findings might only be applicable to the oil and gas sector. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified gap on the identification of critical areas of knowledge loss when employees depart from oil and gas companies. The study adds to the existing body of literature on this underexplored area in the knowledge management literature.


Author(s):  
Jibran Hafeez ◽  
Rameez Khalid ◽  
Shahid Mir

Measuring supply chain performance is an important business success factor in today's competitive environment and continuous improvement culture. Several models have been developed for this purpose, however, such models lack standardized language and are not well known in the developing countries. Supply Chain Council (SCC) developed Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model. This paper presents a case-based action-research for a step-by-step implementation of SCOR model. The case company belongs to oil and gas sector in a developing country. As-Is model was developed and analyzed for gaps. Reasons were identified using company documents and semi-structured interviews. To-Be model was then developed along with recommendations keeping into account the challenges faced by companies operating in emerging markets. The step-by-step SCOR implementation was found to be effective. It is further found that adapting the SCOR model for developing countries is a time-intensive effort and adapting the best practices can be a better option.


Author(s):  
Kieran M. Conroy ◽  
Anthony McDonnell ◽  
Katrin Holzleitner

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the specific forms of training and support that individuals on short-term international assignments (SIAs) receive. It further explores issues such as short notice prior to departure and how this impacts the type of training and support compared to what the extant literature on expatriates intimates. Scholars and practitioners both agree that the increasing deployment of individuals on SIAs presents significant challenges that have not yet been met with the development of appropriate organisational policies and practices. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on in-depth exploratory qualitative interviews with a sample of German assignees, the paper is abductive in nature with semi-structured interviews analysed through thematic based analysis. The data analysis identifies the need for more tailored training and support through formal and informal mechanisms, developed in pre-departure and post-arrival contexts. Findings The paper makes key contributions through providing much needed empirical evidence on the training and support short-term assignees receive and in so doing we identify specific forms of training and supports deemed relevant from the perspective of individuals on SIAs. Given the inherent time constraints for SIAs, the significance of informal support, in both pre-departure and post-arrival contexts is especially emphasised. Originality/value The paper is one of the first empirical pieces of work to explicitly consider the specific forms of training and support that SIAs consider important. The authors answer calls for greater consideration into the significance of developing a more tailored and strategic approach to managing SIAs as a specific form of an international assignee.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Luiz de Mattos Nascimento ◽  
Osvaldo Luiz Goncalvez Quelhas ◽  
Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão Caiado ◽  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to explore synergies between lean production (LP) and six sigma principles to propose a lean six sigma (LSS) framework for continuous and incremental improvement in the oil and gas sector. The Three-dimensional LSS framework seeks to provide various combinations about the integration between LP principles, DMAIC (define–measure–analyse–improve–control) cycle and plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle to support operations management needs. Design/methodology/approach The research method is composed of two main steps: diagnosis of current problems and proposition of a conceptual framework that qualitatively integrates synergistic aspects of LP and six sigma and analysis of the application of the construct through semi-structured interviews with leaders from oil and gas companies to assess and validate the proposed framework. Findings As a result, a conceptual framework of LSS is developed contemplating the integration of LP and six sigma and providing a systemic and holistic approach to problem-solving through continuous and incremental improvement in the oil and gas sector. Originality/value This research is different from previous studies because it integrates LP principles, DMAIC and PDCA cycles into a unique framework that fulfils a specific need of oil and gas sector. It presents a customized LSS framework that guides wastes and cost reduction while enhancing quality and reducing process variability to elevate efficiency in operations management of this sector. This is an original research that presents new and original scientific findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saleem Sumbal ◽  
Eric Tsui ◽  
Eric W.K. See-to

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between big data and knowledge management (KM). Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative research methodology and a case study approach was followed by conducting nine semi-structured interviews with open-ended and probing questions. Findings Useful predictive knowledge can be generated through big data to help companies improve their KM capability and make effective decisions. Moreover, combination of tacit knowledge of relevant staff with explicit knowledge obtained from big data improvises the decision-making ability. Research limitations/implications The focus of the study was on oil and gas sector, and, thus, the research results may lack generalizability. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need of exploring the relationship between big data and KM which has not been discussed much in the literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
Sung Suk Kim ◽  
Jacob Donald Tan ◽  
Rita Juliana ◽  
John Tampil Purba

This study aims to explore the financial management practices ofsmall-and-medium-enterprises (SMEs) in the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek). We investigate into 3 SME cases by conducting the semi-structured interviews with the owner-managers and using direct observations to know the practices of financial management of SMEs. Through the research, we have found six propositions related to the practice of short-term financial management. They apply bootstraps to ensure availability of working capital. They set aside cash reserves from retained earnings and minimize loans from financial institutions. They have the computerized system to track receivables facilitating working capital needs. They keep theirinventory control efficient to manage working capital. They screen customers using transactional records and reputations to minimize the risk of bad debts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1064-1076
Author(s):  
O.V. Ovchar

Subject. Under rapid changes in the external economic environment, new forms and methods of State regulation of oil and gas industries, especially, improving the taxation and tax regulation instruments become relevant. Objectives. The study aims to provide an original interpretation of methods of improving the tax administration of major taxpayers in the oil and gas sector applied at the present stage. Methods. I employ normative and holistic approaches to examine taxation efficiency in the oil and gas sector, general scientific and special methods of scientific cognition, i.e. retrospective, system analysis, observation, classification, instrumental methods of grouping, sampling, comparison and synthesis, as well as evolutionary and dynamic analysis. Results. I consider basic problems and solutions in the sphere of tax administration of major taxpayers of Russian oil and gas industries. The paper offers a package of measures and recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency of tax regulation, underpins the applied approach to tax administration of organizations operating in the oil and gas sector. Conclusions and Relevance. Our country needs a comprehensive program for tax administration of the entire technological cycle: from upstream operations to full-scale import substitution of consumer goods.


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