Corporate memory dynamics in project-based organizations (PBOs): multiple case study in Brazilian engineering design firms and a framework proposal

Purpose This study aims to investigate how the processes of memory acquisition, retention, retrieval and application occur in project-based organizations (PBOs). In this kind of organization, the nature of corporate memory is influenced by the transience, uniqueness and independence of the project portfolio. Such understanding may help practitioners to mitigate the effects of project transience and promote knowledge sharing among project teams. Design/methodology/approach An empirical and qualitative study was carried out through a multiple case study approach conducted in three Brazilian Engineering Design Firms, which are organized by projects. Document analysis, direct observation and semi-structured interviews with engineers, project managers and executives were conducted. Findings The memory acquisition process takes place in five forms which have different sources and destinations when comparing PBOs with traditional organizational settings. Memory retention in PBOs crosses organizational boundaries and establishes a knowledge network of former employees and third parties. The PBOs project memory can be divided into volatile and perennial memory, where the former can be lost throughout project execution and the latter is internalized, becoming an inseparable part of the corporate memory. Memory retrieval in PBOs is also distinct since it has particular mechanisms depending on whether the knowledge is technical or administrative. Originality/value The research investigates the corporate memory processes within the volatile context of PBOs in a Latin-American developing country whose culture favors tacit knowledge exchange. The paper proposes a framework that unveils different patterns of knowledge acquisition, temporary and perennial retention structures, intensive usage of external knowledge in memory retrieval and particular memory applications in PBOs. The framework may guide scholars, project managers, engineers and practitioners in navigating through the uniqueness of organizational learning flows and structures in PBOs

What do environment-related illnesses tell us about the character of military medicine and future clinical requirements?

Extreme environments present medical and occupational challenges that extend beyond generic resuscitation, to formulating bespoke diagnoses and prognoses and embarking on management pathways rarely encountered in civilian practice. Pathophysiological complexity and clinical uncertainty call for military physicians of all kinds to balance intuition with pragmatism, adapting according to the predominant patterns of care required. In an era of smaller operational footprints and less concentrated clinical experience, proposals aimed at improving the systematic care of Service Personnel incapacitated at environmental extremes must not be lost to corporate memory. These general issues are explored in the particular context of thermal stress and metabolic disruption. Specific focus is given to the accounts of military physicians who served on large-scale deployments into the heat of Iraq and Kuwait (Operation TELIC) and Oman (Exercise SAIF SAREEA). Generalisable insights into the enduring character of military medicine and future clinical requirements result.

A fuzzy approach to assess outsourcing risks in Brazilian navy industrial military organizations

Purpose This study assesses outsourcing risks using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). Design/methodology/approach This descriptive research combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Risks identified in the literature review were classified with FAHP using questionnaire data from respondents in operations, procurement and risk management in Brazilian Navy Industrial Military Organizations (OMPS-I, by its Portuguese acronym). Findings The results indicate that FAHP is a method capable of producing relevant information to decision-making in the risk management process. A framework was created incorporating 16 major risks related to outsourcing. The results point to higher inherent risk levels related to outsourcing in the context of OMPS-Is: in order, hidden costs and unrealized savings; loss of knowledge/skills and/or corporate memory and difficulty in reacquiring a function; and loss of opportunities and reputation. The category of economic risk was revealed as the most important. Originality/value This study improves understanding of outsourcing risks and improves risk assessment by refining decision-making information and developing a system of decision analysis with several criteria. It also contributes to the development and implementation of a usable version of decision analysis with several criteria at a managerial level.

Evolution of the deployed medical director role in an era of contingency operations: reflections from a United Nations operation

This paper examines the development and evolution of the deployed medical director (DMD) role and argues for the re-establishment of a formal selection process and training pathway. Recent deployments into new areas of operations, deployment of smaller medical treatment facilities (MTFs), the reduced numbers of deployments for clinicians, working with various multinational partners and both military and civilian organisations all pose specific problems for DMDs. The initial and then continued deployment of a secondary care role 2 MTF as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan illustrated some of these challenges. Although a novel operation, the broad categories of these new challenges were similar to the historical challenges facing the first DMDs in Afghanistan. Corporate memory loss may be unavoidable to some degree due to rapid turnover in appointments, particularly in single service and joint headquarters. However, individual memory and experience remains extant within the military medical deployable workforce. After the cessation of UK military deployed hospital care involvement in Afghanistan, the UK DMD formal training pathway ended. This paper argues for the re-establishment of a more formal DMD selection process and training pathway to ensure that organisational learning is optimised.

Innovative Potential of Personnel as a Factor of Competitiveness of the Organization

The article deals with the formation and development of the innovative potential (IP) of an organization based on knowledge management. It is emphasized that of all the qualities that characterize this potential, the most important is the company's ability to self-development, to form its key competencies and dynamic abilities. It is indicated that the named competencies and abilities should be formed within the framework of the knowledge management system (KMS) created in the organization. At the same time, the specified system should be an organic part of an innovative business model formed in the company, which, in turn, should be built into the corporate culture and corporate memory of the company. The role of corporate universities in the creation of an effective KMS is noted. It is emphasized that a successfully functioning knowledge management system is a guarantee of continuous growth of the innovative potential and competitiveness of the organization.

Preserving Endangered Archives Through Open Access

Archives and manuscript collections, when well preserved, play a pivotal role in the preservation of corporate memory as well as the transmission of culture, building of national identity, and in providing valuable information sources on a variety of issues. However, in many parts of the world, the preservation and accessibility of archives and manuscripts, particularly those privately held, remains a neglected area requiring innovative ways to enhance their long-term preservation and accessibility. This chapter examines how endangered archival collections can be preserved through open access and digitization programmes funded locally or jointly with donor agencies. Specifically, the chapter examines the contribution made by the Endangered Archives Programme, a UK-based programme supported by Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, to preserve endangered archives in Africa. The chapter shows that over the past 16 years, the Endangered Archives Programme has made a significant contribution in the preservation of endangered archives held privately and in public archival institutions. The chapter argues that the approach followed by the Endangered Archives Programme clearly demonstrates that collaborative effort in the preservation of endangered archives results in mutual benefits to the local communities as well the research community via the British Library. The chapter concludes by suggesting future directions that may be considered when undertaking similar copying projects.

Public healthcare co-payments in Botswana: the dynamics and consequences of policy amnesia

Background When policy implementation is not regularly monitored and evaluated, it risks irrelevance to changing conditions and, over time, its original purpose can even be forgotten. In 1975, the government of Botswana instituted co-payments for public healthcare, a policy which has remained largely unaltered since its introduction with the exception of two increases in the fee-level. Therefore, this study aims to critically analyze the institutional design and operation of Botswana's co-payment policy for public healthcare. Methods Using documentary analysis and interviews with 32 key informants, Botswana's longstanding policy requiring a modest co-payment in public healthcare facilities was analysed. Data were analysed thematically in an inductive way. Results The findings revealed the policy was not monitored, rarely evaluated and became both ineffective and inefficient, costing more to administer than was received in revenue. The Ministry of Health and Wellness no longer had a copy of the original policy and there was no corporate memory of its original purpose. Informants were confused about the policy and why it was still in place after four decades. There was absence of requirements for monitoring and evaluation in the original policy. The top-down policy development failed to explain rationale for policy and mobilize popular support leading to civil society ignorant of the policy. Conclusions The consequences of policy amnesia in this study are evident. The lack of timely policy evaluation influenced discretionary powers for administrators applying the co-payment leading to the problems of partiality. Uneconomic financial returns as a result of inflation and poor enforcement mechanisms continued without causing concerns. That might have been undermined by placing emphasis on the role of central actors and ignoring the involvement and significance of the local actors, who are in a much better situation to propose and implement purposeful policies. Key messages Lack of regular policy monitoring and evaluation risks irrelevance to changing conditions, and overtime, the policy’s original purpose is easily forgotten. Requirements for policy monitoring and evaluation need to be explained with the initial policy and enforcement mechanisms put in place.

From the Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to the 3rd Volume, 1st Issue of Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning This is my first editorial. Let me thank David Schmidt for keeping everything in order and working beyond his call of duty in these difficult times. I do hope he will continue to work with us and bring in his corporate memory to provide ongoing support and leadership to the Journal. I would also like to thank Mark Parton who has provided his expertise in a copyediting capacity and has been critical to the behind the scenes work of the journal. This issue reflects the philosophy of HETI – Interprofessional care and education. The first paper by Simon Holliday and colleagues is about prescribing for chronic pain which is a major issue in our community. They have shown how to provide a multifaceted pain management program and how the General Practitioners can be upskilled. Triage nurses have to be efficient and effective in running our emergency rooms. Thawley and colleagues have done a survey of educational needs of triage nurses and have come up with some interesting suggestions to improve patient safety and outcomes. For optimum patient care, we need allied health professionals who are fit to practice. Farlie and colleagues have explored strategies for this. Simulation training is the way we prepare students for the future in many curricula. Ryall et al explore MASK-ED for physiotherapy students to make simulation more authentic. We look forward to their next paper on this protocol. I do hope in these challenging times, you are all keeping well, both physically and mentallyAs somebody said, ask your colleagues, what matters to you and not what is the matter with you. We are all together, in this difficult COVID times.

Soviet and Emigrant Historians in the Eyes of P. N. Milyukov (1920s-1940s): Corporate Memory Features

The article presents the assessment of P. N. Milyukov for Russian historical science of the 20th century through the biographies of its iconic representatives A. A. Kizevetter, S. F. Platonov and M. N. Pokrovsky. The source base was made up of articles and obituaries written by Milyukov and dedicated to the deceased scholars. The specifics of the historiographic Milyukov’ discourse consists of 1) the structural features of the narrative, which includes, the author’s own biography along with the biography of historians; 2) in the criteria for assessing the scientific contribution and prospects for the development of historical scholarship from the point of view of fitting into Moscow or St. Petersburg historical schools. In conclusion of the article the authors named features of the corporate memory of emigrant scientist.