Keeping the wheels of the automotive industry turning: the use of tacit knowledge by product development workers in a multinational automotive manufacturer

PurposeThis research identifies the forms of tacit knowledge frequently requested in the job descriptions of knowledge workers in a multinational automotive manufacturer's product development department. It then explores how and why the most requested forms of tacit knowledge are used in practice to achieve organizational goals.Design/methodology/approachThis study follows a sequential mixed-methods approach to quantify the most frequently requested forms of tacit knowledge within internal job descriptions and then explores how and why this tacit knowledge is used. The first stage applies manifest content analysis to internal job descriptions to highlight the epitomes of tacit knowledge to identify the most frequently requested forms of tacit knowledge. The second stage employs semi-structured interviews to explore the use of the most frequently requested forms of tacit knowledge in practice.FindingsThe research indicated that the organization most frequently requested tacit knowledge in the form of skills and experience in the job descriptions of knowledge workers in the product development department. When the use and application of tacit knowledge in the form of skills were further explored in practice, it was found that tacit knowledge-based socially-focused skills were used, which was underpinned by the need to bring people together and align them towards a common goal to make things work; by enabling people to work together as a team; by developing and using networks; and acting as a required resource to support the development and integration in product development. Tacit knowledge in the form of experience was applied through the application of personally obtained experience to enhance development work by acting as a pacemaker for increasing efficiency and a sense of upcoming issues.Originality/valueThis work addresses the paucity of studies identifying tacit knowledge in large organizations and meets calls to investigate the processes and activities related to tacit knowledge in specific contexts.

The Possibility of Implementing Mushārakah Mutanāqiṣah Contract in Home Financing at Hong Leong Islamic Bank

Mushārakah Mutanāqiṣah (MM) or Diminishing Partnership is one of the financing contracts that comply with Shariah and many Malaysian Islamic banks have introduced this mode of contract into their home financing product except Hong Leong Islamic Bank and some other Islamic banks who have not yet done so. Thus, this research intends to study the possibility of offering MM contract in Islamic Home Financing as a product at Hong Leong Islamic Bank. The researchers conducted a field study through several interviews with the staff working in the product development department and department of Shariah in some of the Malaysian Islamic banks. From the theoretical aspect, the researchers explain the concept of home financing, MM and the fiqh perspective of the subject in question. The responses received during the interviews are used to analyze the possibility of offering MM contract in Islamic Home Financing product at Hong Leong Islamic Bank. This research concludes that there is a possibility for Hong Leong Islamic Bank to do so, should it consider some suggestions presented in this paper.

Global Approach to Good Design, A Team Effort

I work for a Norwegian company, which develops, manufactures and sell seating solutions for the active working human being. The company is over 50 years old, we have over 40% market share on our home market and we are one of the 10 biggest office chair manufacturers in Europe. We have been represented on the American Market for many years. I work in the product development department, where I participate in or head projects. I work closely with a number of different designers, and this is part of my professional life.