VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

Perez-Soltero, Alonso; Galvez-Leon, Humberto; Barcelo-Valenzuela, Mario; Sanchez-Schmitz, Gerardo

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-08-2015-0043

PurposeThis study aims to propose a methodology in order to develop an organizational memory to benefit from team knowledge and to make the design of electromechanical devices processes more efficient.Design/methodology/approachDifferent frameworks and methods were analyzed from literature, obtaining key ideas to be included in the methodology developed and considering other approaches to apply in team knowledge about design processes. The research was conducted as a case study in a Mexican SME dedicated to the manufacturing and installation of electromechanical devices where the methodology was implemented.FindingsA five-stage methodology was developed which consisted of preparation, identification, capture & storage, dissemination & application, and finally the evaluation & feedback stage. An implementation of the described processes was carried out, which was materialized into a technological tool that represents the organizational memory where knowledge was captured, organized and disseminated.Practical implicationsThis study offers guidelines that can be applied in other organizations where team knowledge on design processes have not been adequately used for company´s improvement. The application of this methodology could be a strategy that enabled team knowledge to store their experience. This knowledge could then be consulted and recovered by the workgroup in an effective manner to solve new problems.Originality/valueA methodological proposal to develop an organizational memory about team knowledge was developed. In order to evaluate the impact of the methodology implementation, a variety of indicators were proposed, which were classified as economic, organizational and performance indicators.

Valmohammadi, Changiz; Ghassemi, Ali

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-08-2015-0046

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to identify the barriers of Knowledge Management (KM) implementation in Alborz Province industrial Parks Corporation (APIPC) and prioritize them using Fuzzy Analytical Network Process(FANP).Design/methodology/approachThrough an in-depth review of the literature on KM and researcher findings from observations and interviews with experts, the main barriers of KM implementation, namely, organizational culture, organizational structure, human resource, technology, and miscellaneous factors along with their related factors in the surveyed organization were identified. Then, based on the information gathered, an expert questionnaire was developed. Finally the priority of each main barrier and their sub-factors were determined using Fuzzy Analytical Network Process (FANP).FindingsThe results show that human resource and organizational culture factors with the weights of 0.66 and 0.22 respectively have the highest ranking and therefore are the most important barriers. And the technology factor with the weight of 0.00002 is the least important barrier in implementing KM in the surveyed corporation.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this study is the eneralizability of the findings, which may be limited by the single case study method used.Originality/valueThere are fewer studies about KM barriers specifically with a focus on prioritizing them in organizations, especially in the context of Iran as a developing country. This study develops a comprehensive and solid mathematical technique in order to prioritize the identified barriers of KM implementation in the context of Iran.

Akhavan, Peyman; Khosravian, Farnoosh

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-07-2015-0040

PurposePurpose - It is commonly known that intellectual capital (IC) plays a remarkable role in organizations especially in colleges and academic centers. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of knowledge sharing on intellectual capital.Design/methodology/approachDesign/methodology/approach - Based on the extensive literature review, a questionnaire was designed. The questions were composed of two parts; knowledge sharing questions and intellectual capital questions. 352 students completed questionnaires in Shahinshahr branch of Payam-e-Noor (PNU) University. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to develop the measurement model. FindingsFindings - The finding showed that knowledge sharing (KS) has a significant positive correlation with intellectual capital (IC) and its dimensions. The structural equation modeling confirmed the research model and showed a good match with it.Originality/valueOriginality/value - Given that this study aimed to examine KS and IC, it implies that with optimized knowledge management in universities, providing the infrastructures of knowledge sharing, and strengthening students' motivational factors, knowledge sharing capacities can be enhanced and intellectual capital of universities would be strengthened.

Paavola, Risto; Hallikainen, Petri

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-03-2016-0013

PurposeThe main focus of the requirements engineering (RE) literature has been on the technical aspects related to the RE projects. Research has largely focused on the specific methods for collecting the requirements for an information system. Much less research has been conducted on the social and collaboration aspects of RE. To fill this gap, this paper studies the contribution of social factors, such as social ties, knowledge sharing and flexibility to successful collaboration in RE teams.Design/methodology/approachThe research followed the case study methodology. Data were collected from a successful requirements engineering and development project in a public sector company in Finland. The model for social collaboration by Kotlarsky and Oshri (2005) was applied as a starting point for analysis, but new concepts emerged during the coding process.FindingsThe results suggest that human-related aspects, such as flexibility, collective knowledge and transactive memory, were important for successful collaborative work in the RE team studied. The results show a clear connection between the collaboration factors in the RE process and the success of the end product.Originality/valueThe article fills a clear gap in the RE literature. It shows that human-related aspects are important in the RE process. This opens up new research avenues, such as investigating the effect of human-related factors over the whole lifecycle of a project.

Stanica, Stefan; Peydro, Jorge

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-11-2015-0061

PurposeThis article studies the challenge of transferring knowledge among product development processes of an R&D department and other departments of the organization. To have a more concise focus on this broad field and having a lean perspective, this article aims to analyse and identify how the cross-training employee lean tool affects the knowledge transfer processes in the previously mentioned departments.Design/methodology/approachThis paper bases its research on a valid theoretical framework which is built to develop an explorative perspective that allows the authors to create and interpret the data collected from the companies through interviews. The paper uses a qualitative perspective by using the expertise of the companies not only to validate and draw conclusions from the studied theoretical framework, but also to look beyond itFindingsThe companies agree that the implementation of the cross-training employee lean tool will have a positive effect on the knowledge transfer processes in the organizations. Other important advantages that are detected is that this lean tool broadens the knowledge and the competences of employees, and that it helps the company to manage the tacit knowledge. However, some unexpected drawbacks such as the lack of metrics for measuring the knowledge transfer and the strictness of this lean tool, were also found.Originality/valueNo previous research exists that analyses the effect of cross-training lean tool in knowledge transfer processes. This paper identifies such a gap in the literature and is used as the starting point to motivate the use of this tool to improve knowledge transfer processes due to the positive effects of it.

Costa, Vítor; Monteiro, Samuel

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-02-2015-0017

PurposePurpose – The aim of this paper is to review current literature on knowledge management processes considering the relationship between the key knowledge processes of acquisition, sharing, storage, codification, creation, application, and different types of innovation, through a systematic literature review. Design/methodology/approachDesign/methodology/approach – This study follows systematic review protocols for management and organisational sciences and analyses 45 full papers on knowledge management processes and innovation. FindingsFindings – Results show that all knowledge processes can directly support innovation but also that other organisational variables (e.g., organisational learning, absorptive capacity) mediate this relationship. Moreover, knowledge creation and knowledge application appear as two central processes through which knowledge acquisition, sharing, codification, and storage influence innovation. Knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing are the most frequently studied knowledge processes. The majority of the sample papers present traditional innovation definitions (product vs. process, radical vs. incremental, and technical vs. administrative). However, organisational innovation, innovation capability, and innovation performance approaches emerge from the papers’ analysis. Research limitations/implicationsResearch limitations/implications – The present review includes major scientific papers, however the search is limited to the Web of ScienceTM platform. Originality/valueOriginality/value - This literature review analyses high quality, peer-reviewed papers, following a systematic methodology that can be tested and updated. Papers were divided based upon the knowledge process(es) being analysed and the innovation type/approach, providing a twofold contribution to knowledge management and innovation literature.

ramezan, majid

2016 VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems

doi: 10.1108/VJIKMS-12-2014-0065

PurposeThe aim of this study is to investigate the impact of organizational culture (OC) on social capital (SC) between experts of research based industrial organizations who were aware of the subject of research. Design/methodology/approachOur tools in this study were the native and modified questionnaire of Denison organizational culture model with 33 items and Abili’s developed questionnaire based on Nahapiet and Ghoshal model for social capital with 24 items. Validity of questionnaire well approved based on face validity method by experts, specialists and professors of management. Using the results of pre-test, Cronbach’s alpha was showed the very high reliability. Because of the low number of experts, we did not sampling and decided to distribute questionnaires among all of them. 120 completely filled questionnaires were returned out of the 134 distributed. For examining the main hypothesis and sub-hypothesis of this study simple linear regression and multiple regression analysis were used.Findingsthe results of regression analysis showed that regression line ascribes changes in dependent variable (SC) to independent variable (OC). It means that in research based industrial organizations, organizational culture has a significant positive impact on social capital and cultural traits with internal focus have more impact on social capital than those with external focus. Then, with utilizing of parametric tests, the relationship between OC and SC; and between components of OC and SC was investigated. Finally, Pearson correlation tests results confirmed the significant relationships. Overall, the results of this study show the significant, positive, strong relationship between OC and SC.Originality/value– As not many studies have been done about the impact of organizational culture on social capital, the paper’s findings will be useful to assess and improve the cultural situation for increasing the social capital in organization.