Designing Knowledge Management to Sustain Differentiation Business Strategy at CV Fel & Co International
Authors:   MBA Student, Sekolah Bisnis dan Manajemen, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, Darmawan Ade Julianto , Sushandoyo Dedy ,   Proffesor, Sekolah Bisnis dan Manajemen, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
Published: June 2023

This research addresses CV Fel & Co Company’s knowledge management challenges in achieving high product quality and uniqueness in the leather goods industry. This thesis focuses on Designing a Knowledge Management (KM) framework to address the knowledge-related challenges faced by CV Fel & Co International, a renowned fashion industry company specializing in producing high-quality leather-based fashion products under the brand name Kias Leather. A combination of primary and secondary data collection methods is employed to achieve this objective. The primary data collection method involves conducting interviews with the CEO and production manager of CV Fel & Co International, providing valuable insights into the specific knowledge-related issues faced by the company. The secondary data is obtained from reliable sources such as industry reports, scholarly articles, and websites, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge management landscape in the leather goods industry. This research adopts a goal-oriented analysis approach, focusing on the KM Process model, which encompasses People, Process, and Technology. The KM Process model provides a framework for effectively managing knowledge within the organization. By aligning people, processes, and technology, CV Fel & Co International can foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration, facilitating the creation and utilization of valuable knowledge assets. Additionally, the SECI model is utilized to support the conversion of explicit knowledge into tacit knowledge, promoting continuous learning and innovation within the company, by conducting a comprehensive analysis of CV Fel & Co International’s issues from the company like the increasing number of competitors so the company needs a breakthrough to sustain a differentiation business strategy, human resources require special expertise and can be categorized as old and have knowledge needs and gaps, and lack of standard operating procedures (SOP). A KM Roadmap is developed as a comprehensive solution based on a thorough analysis of CV Fel & Co International’s challenges. The KM Roadmap outlines strategies and actions to effectively manage knowledge and bridge the identified knowledge gaps. It emphasizes the importance of aligning people, processes, and technology to support knowledge sharing and collaboration within the unique context of the leather goods industry. The KM Roadmap includes initiatives such as establishing communities of practice, implementing knowledge-sharing platforms, conducting regular knowledge transfer sessions, and fostering a learning culture through training and development programs. Furthermore, this thesis proposes integrating knowledge management practices into CV Fel & Co International’s business processes, specifically focusing on product design and execution and employee training and development. By embedding knowledge capture, dissemination, and utilization within the existing processes, CV Fel & Co International ensures that knowledge about design trends, branding strategies, and customer preferences is systematically incorporated into product development and production, enhancing the brand’s reputation and customer satisfaction. This integration enables the seamless flow of knowledge throughout the organization, improving product quality, increased innovation, and enhanced employee expertise. In conclusion, this research proposes a comprehensive KM framework, supported by the KM Roadmap and integrated business processes, to address the knowledge management challenges faced by CV Fel & Co International. By implementing these solutions, the company can enhance its knowledge management practices, bridge knowledge gaps, and sustain a differentiation business strategy in the competitive leather goods industry.