A decision tree conceptualization of choice of knowledge transfer mechanism: the views of software development specialists in a multinational company

Creating a Culture to Avoid Knowledge Hiding Within an Organization: The Role of Management Support

Knowledge hiding is known to have negative consequences on organizational performance. The existing literature mainly focuses on the identification of antecedents and consequences of knowledge hiding. The studies pertaining to the top management role in creating a culture that stops concealing knowledge within an organization are limited. To fill that gap, the paper empirically address the knowledge sharing culture and to explore the management support to avoid knowledge hiding culture in an organization. This study based on an empirical study carried out in a United Kingdom-based laboratory within a high-tech global corporation, in which the atmosphere appeared conducive to knowledge sharing, and knowledge transfer appeared voluntary and spontaneous. The paper seeks to address why members of the case organization is reluctant about knowledge hiding among themselves. The study reveals that the management role is important in creating a culture that help discourage employees to withhold knowledge. The paper identifies the actions that top management takes to stop concealing knowledge within an organization. This study has provided several contributions. The findings of the study may be useful to managers and practitioners. For managers, this paper presents some important organizational factors that can be nurtured to avoid a knowledge-hiding culture in the organization. They can also take the management actions of the case organization as lessons to create a culture that encourage their employees to avoid knowledge hiding behavior.

Climate-Driven Legacies in Simulated Microbial Communities Alter Litter Decomposition Rates

The mechanisms underlying diversity-functioning relationships have been a consistent area of inquiry in biogeochemistry since the 1950s. Though these mechanisms remain unresolved in soil microbiomes, many approaches at varying scales have pointed to the same notion—composition matters. Confronting the methodological challenge arising from the complexity of microbiomes, this study used the model DEMENTpy, a trait-based modeling framework, to explore trait-based drivers of microbiome-dependent litter decomposition. We parameterized DEMENTpy for five sites along a climate gradient in Southern California, United States, and conducted reciprocal transplant simulations analogous to a prior empirical study. The simulations demonstrated climate-dependent legacy effects of microbial communities on plant litter decomposition across the gradient. This result is consistent with the previous empirical study across the same gradient. An analysis of community-level traits further suggests that a 3-way tradeoff among resource acquisition, stress tolerance, and yield strategies influences community assembly. Simulated litter decomposition was predictable with two community traits (indicative of two of the three strategies) plus local environment, regardless of the system state (transient vs. equilibrium). Although more empirical confirmation is still needed, community traits plus local environmental factors (e.g., environment and litter chemistry) may robustly predict litter decomposition across spatial-temporal scales. In conclusion, this study offers a potential trait-based explanation for climate-dependent community effects on litter decomposition with implications for improved understanding of whole-ecosystem functioning across scales.

Linkage between culture, leadership, and knowledge sharing in MNCs-Moderating role of training and development:

The paper develops a theoretical model that focuses on the integrated effect of organizational factors on knowledge sharing, taking the moderating effect of training and development. The proposed hypotheses were tested with structural equations modeling using self-reports of 200 personnel working in Bngladesh-based MNCs. The organizational factors such as respect for people, job stability, aggressiveness, transformational leadership, transactional leadership and decentralization have a direct influence on knowledge sharing. The substantial effect of training and development was not evident in moderating the relationship between organizational factors and knowledge sharing. However, this study reveals that training and development moderates only the relationship between team orientation and knowledge sharing. the findings broaden the understanding of the impact of organizational culture, leadership, and training and development, and knowledge sharin. This study helps managers to formulate strategies and provide new knowledge to researchers to look further into this field.

Classification of inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms and their effects on networking capability: a multi-layer decision making approach

Purpose

The role of inter-organizational knowledge mechanisms (IOKMs) in learning networks is increasing so that the competition of business networks in providing innovations is highly dependent on the effective selection and application of these mechanisms. This study aims to argue that recognizing the classification of IOKMs and understanding their impact on networking capability (NC) makes the selection of mechanisms more effective.

Design/methodology/approach

With a systematic review of literature, a comprehensive list of IOKMs, their main characteristics and NCs have been extracted. The authors have used a focus group for data gathering and a hybrid multi-layer decision-making approach for data analysis. Finally, the impact of IOKMs on NC was determined.

Findings

By implementing a multi-layer decision-making approach, four categories of IOKMs including person-to-person, co-creation, team-oriented and informational are illustrated and their effects of NC are determined. Therefore, the findings of this research provide latecomer firms (LCFs) managers with a clear framework for selecting IOKMs.

Originality/value

The literature review shows that the number of knowledge mechanisms, especially their inter-organizational types, is increasing. It has made it difficult for LCFs managers to select effective and efficient mechanisms. Most of these mechanisms are listed, and few studies have classified them. Besides, research shows that fewer studies have investigated how IOKMs relate to NC. Furthermore, most studies on IOKMs have been conducted in the context of leading firms and LCFs have been neglected.

The Use of the UTAUT Model in the Adoption of E-Learning Technologies

E-learning is treated as a learning approach in higher education worldwide. E-learning systems are all about using digital technologies to acquire, store, and process learning resources. This article aims to examine the end-users' acceptance of e-learning in the banking sector using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. The paper reviews the extant literature from which a theoretical model is developed and tested empirically in the French context. The UTAUT is extended by incorporating one additional factor (top management support). A quantitative approach based on cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from 133 bank officials. Data was analyzed using, statistical software SPSS version 15. The article successfully confirms the applicability of e-learning in France-based banks. The model developed in this paper helps the practitioner to understand the factors that should be given emphasis to ensure the effective development and acceptance of the e-learning technologies in a commercial setting.

An Empirical Study of the Role of Knowledge Characteristics and Tools on Knowledge Transfer in China-Based Multinationals

This article describes how technology—i.e. the infrastructure of tools, systems, platforms—enhances knowledge transfer. The effect of tools on the relationship between knowledge characteristics and knowledge transfer effectiveness is under-researched. This article attempts to address the interplay of knowledge characteristics and transfer tools within multinational corporations (MNCs). Based on the structural equation modelling, this research proposes and tests a basic model that captures knowledge characteristics and transfer tools at 125 Japanese subsidiaries operating in China. Drawing on the literature, this article argues that the role of knowledge characteristics and transfer tools need to be considered for effective knowledge transfer between MNCs and their subsidiaries. Knowledge characteristics and transfer tools play differing roles in knowledge transfer. This article also extends the existing studies by focusing on knowledge characteristics and transfer tool constructs simultaneously in a model to understand the notion of knowledge transfer effectiveness in the global business context.

Developing a domain ontology for knowledge management technologies

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new ontology for knowledge management (KM) technologies, determining the relationships between these technologies and classification of them.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies NOY methodology – named after Natalya F. Noy who initiated this methodology. Protégé software and ontology web language are used for building the ontology. The presented ontology is evaluated with abbreviation and consistency criteria and knowledge retrieval of KM technologies by experts.

Findings

All the main concepts in the scope of KM technologies are extracted from existing literature. There are 241 words, 49 out of them are domain concepts, eight terms are about taxonomic and non-taxonomic relations, one term relates to data property and 183 terms are instances. These terms are used to develop KM technologies’ ontology based on three factors: facilitating KM processes, supporting KM strategies and the position of technology in the KM technology stage model. The presented ontology is created a common understanding in the field of KM technologies.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of specific documentary about logic behind decision making and prioritizing criteria in choosing KM technologies.

Practical implications

Uploading the presented ontology in the web environment provides a platform for knowledge sharing between experts from around the world. In addition, it helps to decide on the choice of KM technologies based on KM processes and KM strategy.

Originality/value

Among the many categories of KM technologies in literature, there is no classifying according to several criteria simultaneously. This paper contributes to filling this gap and considers KM processes, KM strategy and stages of growth for KM technologies simultaneously to choice the KM technologies and also there exists no formal ontology regarding KM technologies. This study has tried to propose a formal KM technologies’ ontology.

Re-conceptualising Knowledge Transfer Approach

Knowledge transfer approach (KTA) denotes how knowledge is transferred from the source to the seeker in a typical sender-receiver communication framework. The selection of an appropriate KTA largely determines the success of knowledge transfer. However, the existing literature fails to provide managers and employees with a clear conceptualisation of what constitutes a KTA and how different KTAs are distinguished. This paper aims to address this inadequacy by developing a two-dimensional framework for constructing the KTA. A clearer conceptualisation of KTA can help managers and employees improve their knowledge transfer efficacy as they will know how to better plan the knowledge transfer process. Hence, this paper creates value for both researchers and organisations. Theoretically, the framework enhances our understanding of the construct of KTA as well as its operationalisation and reinforces the role of KTA in knowledge transfer studies. In practical terms, the framework can inform organisations of the strategic considerations they need to take into account when planning knowledge transfers, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different KTA choices.