Towards a smart project network via quality knowledge management
2013 (English)In: IFKAD 2013: Proceedings / [ed] Schiuma, G.; Spender, J.C..; Pulic, A., Institute of Knowledge Asset Management (IKAM) , 2013, p. 235-252Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Purpose - The purpose of this paper was to study knowledge management (KM) in inter-organizational project co-operation in the context of the manufacturing process in the offshore and marine industries. The main aim was to find out how knowledge of quality requirements and changes was managed in the network towards a smarter value chain. The second aim was to find out what kind of procedures, if any, could be defined as operative, tactical, and strategic levels of learning (Carayannis 1996; Carayannis and Alexander 2002) and KM in a network of companies.
Design/methodology/approach - The paper utilizes the multiple case study approach, focusing on the diffusion of quality knowledge in the network. The study was conducted during 2012 in a networked project organization of two European shipyards by analysing the quality documentation, interviewing quality managers at the shipyards and by surveys among their project network companies.
Originality/value - The paper presents a two-way view of quality knowledge management in a complex project network comparing the KM procedures of both the core companies and their project network suppliers. The paper presents an understanding of the absorption and diffusion of changed quality demands in the project network companies and the reactive and proactive procedures followed. Understanding the gaps between the KM efforts of the network companies and their project network can help companies to communicate and manage their knowledge efficiently in the project network.
Practical implications - The findings of the study indicate the effects of the companies' KM efforts in their project network based on the understanding of the operational, tactical, and strategic level reactions of the network companies. This understanding of how and to what extent the quality knowledge is diffused can help companies to develop more dynamic KM processes in their network. The paper proposes ways to utilize the reactive and proactive potential of the network companies better in order to enhance the diffusion of knowledge and quality production ability of the whole network. The paper also suggests some ways to develop the network KM towards a smarter value chain where knowledge and innovations diffuse both ways.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Institute of Knowledge Asset Management (IKAM) , 2013. p. 235-252
Keywords [en]
knowledge management, quality management, knowledge diffusion, ship building
National Category
Information Systems, Social aspects
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-62586ISI: 000357261000014ISBN: 978-88-96687-01-7 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:oru-62586DiVA, id: diva2:1157428
Conference
8th International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics (IFKAD 2013), Zagreb, Croatia, June 12-14, 2013
2017-11-162017-11-162017-11-20Bibliographically approved