bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Events and professional learning: studying educational practitioners
Authors: Fox A. , McCormick R. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeBy trailing data collection and analytical methods this study aims to address the dearth of research into the use of attending off‐site events for professional learning.Design/methodology/approachThree events, for academics and school leaders, were studied. A range of methods was trailed during 2006‐2007, with the aim of collecting real‐time data. These included shadowing individual delegates, interviews of other delegates, still and moving imagery and a survey questionnaire.FindingsCollecting evidence of professional activities in real‐time requires sensitivity to minimise its impact on the activities. It is ideal if everyone at such events can be informed fully in advance of data collection. Any assistance, including participating in the research, in reflecting on the benefits of attending an event was appreciated. The most important benefit of attending events was in networking rather than the formal purpose of the event itself. It was found that such interactions are likely to affect the delegates' sense of identity. Individuals also reported that their strategies for using knowledge from events are incompletely developed.Practical implicationsThe study raises issues of how best to support learning at events and the use of knowledge and understanding back in the workplace. Raising awareness of the importance of networking at an event to participants could influence how both organisers plan for, and delegates use, such events.Originality/valueThe study is exploratory both in methodological and in conceptual development and highlights key issues and possible avenues for conceptualising the learning from events. Few studies have been carried out on such events.
Interactive research and joint learning for practical contributions
Authors: Holmquist Mats 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether universities can find ways to make more practical contributions through collaboration, collective reflection and joint learning.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes the form of action research and cooperation in three different development networks in Sweden. Data are analyzed by theories on science in society, organizational learning, dialogue and reflection.FindingsResults show that the participants in the networks reduced their insecurity and increased their competence to handle change. The dialogue, exchange of experiences and systematic reflections gave ideas, knowledge and contacts that supported them in their work life and inspired them to take development action.Research limitations/implicationsResearchers can contribute to the development process by acting as facilitators and using interactive methods for joint learning. Coming from different cultures and aiming to collaborate under equal and democratic conditions, all involved actors must have an attitude that is humble and free of an assumed prestige.Practical implicationsExternal development networks with university participation can be a useful tool for internal development.Originality/valueInteractive research is a possible way for universities to make practical contributions at work. All academics who work with applied research should consider this approach.
Managing skills and knowledge using online tools
Authors: Waller Dave , Holland Tom 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to explore a structured approach to measuring skills and knowledge, and to outline how such an approach can be beneficial for improving performance and supporting strategy. It also seeks to examine how online tools can help with this process and to look at implications for the wider UK and European skills development environments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the practical experience of a learning technology company working with a range of organisations across the private and public sectors.FindingsThe paper concludes that, by developing online tools to guide organisations through the process of mapping and measuring skills and targeting skills gaps, organisations will be able to better support their strategic aims.Practical implicationsThe paper is grounded in practical experience, and the methodology that it outlines can be used to target training for better value and better results in organisations of all kinds.Originality/valueThe paper will be of benefit to people looking for practical applications of tools for managing knowledge and skills.
Knowledge and information sharing in a closed information environment
Authors: Hong Telvin Goh Choo , Hooper Val 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe objectives of this research are to ascertain the current status of, and barriers to, knowledge and information sharing; to elicit suggestions for improvement; and to determine whether the situation is different from that experienced by organizations operating in an average business environment.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted was a survey conducted within the New Zealand Defence Force, for the purpose of obtaining a deeper understanding.FindingsIt was found that much similarity existed between the two types of organizations except that the organization operating in a closed information environment presented as an extreme example of an average organization. In particular, the requirement to maintain high security yet encourage the free flow of knowledge and information presents a considerable challenge.Originality/valueThe paper presents some insights into an area about which very little is known and which is, by its nature, difficult to research. It shows how closed information environment organizations could provide insights and examples for those operating in the average business environment. When consequences are more critical, practice will become more finely honed.
Knowledge elicitation in reliability management in the airline industry
Authors: Kwong Erin , Lee W.B. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the appropriate method, demonstrating with a prototype model, of how knowledge in reliability management can be elicited from individuals as well as a team.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is to elicit the tacit knowledge of the reliability engineers through narratives and cognitive mapping. With a sufficient number of cognitive maps, patterns are revealed and an aggregate cognitive map for all participating members is produced, which helps to summarize various approaches and procedures that can be taken in handling different reliability management issues.FindingsThe work provides a real‐life example to support the stages of learning from the individual, the group to the organizational level as described in the theoretical Learning Framework.Research limitations/implicationsMany knowledge management programs failed for various reasons. One common pitfall is that they are either too ambitious or too vague in the scope, methodology of their deliverables. To be successful, the project objectives should be linked to the business needs that lead to solving their business problems.Practical implicationsA prototype is developed in the organization of expertise knowledge in a bottom‐up manner in the building of a corporate memory from individuals to team level in the reliability management in an airline company.Originality/valueThis is the first study in the airline industry to capture the know‐how and experience of its reliability engineers in the form of congregate cognitive maps so as to facilitate team learning and the building of organizational memory. It is the first in the airline industry to adopt this methodology for developing its own procedure manuals. The model was implemented successfully in the Engineering Division of an airline business in order to handle their reliability management issues.
Chinese cultural influences on knowledge management practice
Authors: Tong Jin , Mitra Amit 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore national cultural influences on knowledge management (KM) practices within Chinese manufacturing enterprises.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study in four steps was conducted within a Chinese mobile phone company (referred to as Lotus). Data collection was based on observations and in‐depth interviews.FindingsIt was discovered that employees in Chinese manufacturing enterprises like to keep their knowledge implicit and are willing to share it informally. A series of factors derived from Chinese culture such as hierarchy consciousness, fear of losing face, a sense of modesty, competitiveness and a preference for face‐to‐face communication, can act as barriers to KM initiatives within Chinese manufacturing organisations. Trust in intra‐personal relationships among employees can partly mitigate the impact of the above cultural characteristics. However, at a macro organisational level there is still need to share tacit knowledge using explicit/formal KM approaches.Research limitations/implicationsThough knowledge mapping is recommended as a feasible means to promote formal knowledge sharing within Chinese organisations, evidence showing the efficacy of such a method are only grounded in related literature here. Therefore, practical experimental evidence should be collected in future research.Practical implicationsKM strategies proposed for an organisation based in China should take revealed cultural influences into account.Originality/valueFew studies have explicitly concentrated on KM within Chinese organisations. The present study provides useful information for academics interested in cultural issues in KM and impartial advice for knowledge managers within Chinese enterprises.
Knowledge‐based anti‐money laundering: a software agent bank application
Authors: Gao Shijia , Xu Dongming , Wang Huaiqing , Green Peter 
Published: April 2009

PurposeCriminal elements in today's technology‐driven society are using every means available at their disposal to launder the proceeds from their illegal activities. While many anti‐money laundering (AML) solutions have been in place for some time within the financial community, they face the challenge to adapt to the ever‐changing risk and methods in relation to money laundering (ML). This research seeks to focus on ML control and prevention, which aim to automate the monitoring and diagnosing of ML schemes in order to report suspicious activities to banks.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopted the technology of intelligent agents to provide a more adaptive, flexible, and knowledge‐based solution for AML.FindingsBased on the analysis of monitoring, diagnosing, and reporting of ML activities occurring in electronic transactions, several types of intelligent agents are proposed and a multi‐agent framework is presented for AML. Furthermore, business knowledge such as business rules and strategies are extracted from AML practice, and applied to the design of individual agents to make them act autonomously and collaboratively to fulfil the goal of ML detection.Practical implicationsThe proposed multi‐agent framework is a stand‐alone system, which can be integrated by banks to combat ML. Although it is a uni‐bank framework at present, it can be extended to multi‐bank application in the future.Originality/valueThe research explores the approach of applying an intelligent agent for knowledge‐based AML in an electronic transaction environment for banks. By separating business logic from the business model, such a business‐rules approach can enhance the flexibility and adaptability of the agent‐based AML system.
Knowledge management and knowledge creation in academia: a study based on surveys in a Japanese research university
Authors: Tian Jing , Nakamori Yoshiteru , Wierzbicki Andrzej P. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis study aims to pose one major research question, i.e. why and how to use knowledge management methods in order to enhance knowledge creation in academia – at universities and research institutes?Design/methodology/approachThe paper defines KM in academia as any systematic activity related to support and enhancement of the creation of scientific knowledge and achievement of research goals, including both social process and relevant computer technology tools. Two surveys and case studies were carried out to achieve the research purpose at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). The first survey focused on knowledge management in academia and investigated the current KM situations, special and diverse requirements from researchers. The second survey concentrated on supporting the creative processes of academic research and investigated which aspects of knowledge creation processes should be supported in particular. Based on survey findings, the practical solutions are further presented aimed to improve the creative environment for scientific knowledge creation.FindingsThe findings from the first survey showed that the KM obstacles reflected on various aspects: technological support, the people involved in creation activities, laboratory cultural, and so on. The seven most critical questions and three most important questions were evaluated by responders with respect to academic knowledge creation process in the second survey.Research limitations/implicationsThe study advances the belief that knowledge management (KM) is applicable not only in industrial and market organizations, but also in academia.Practical implicationsWith respect to the survey results, it is suggested that a creative environment in academia should be enhanced from both “soft” and “hard” aspects under the guidelines of a systems thinking framework for KM in scientific labs. From the soft side, by using personalization strategies, a knowledge‐sharing culture has to be built in labs to facilitate scientific communication, debate and team work. From the hard side, by using technology strategies, a practical example is presented in JAIST concerning the implementation of the hard aspect of creative environment. It is hoped that the research can launch further debate and prompt practical steps to help research institutes or universities improve their management and increase the research efficiency.Originality/valueAn essential point is that the study is based on the feedback from knowledge creators in a typical knowledge creation organization, which makes the analyses and conclusions more comprehensive and persuasive from both the theoretical and practical points of view. The research not only explores some hidden or tacit problems existing in academic knowledge management and scientific knowledge creation, but also proposes solutions for scientific knowledge creation that were found to be valuable by university management.
Using a KM framework to evaluate an ERP system implementation
Authors: Chan Eric W.L. , Walker Derek H.T. , Mills Anthony 
Published: April 2009

PurposeCompetitive advantage can be gained in several ways including gaining a knowledge advantage (K‐Adv). This paper sets out to report on the first stage of broad study to assess the effectiveness of implementing an enterprise resource planning system (ERP) from a knowledge management (KM) perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a survey of a small but representative group to gain feedback in their experience of using the ERP system. Results are evaluated using a KM framework, the knowledge advantage (K‐Adv) capability maturity model (CMM) tool that was initially developed for use by construction organisations to assess the impact of leadership and its supporting ICT infrastructure on the ability of people (by effectively creating, sharing, disseminating and using knowledge) operating in a highly dynamic business environment.FindingsThe K‐Adv framework analysis for the study indicates that the ERP system was seen as a useful tool for cost management and that its deployment effectiveness is mainly dependent on human‐to‐human knowledge transfer about how to make the ERP system work. Also, how leaders in organisations facilitate and support people is a critical enabler of the ERP system deployment. The K‐Adv CMM tool was useful in making sense of the degree of organisational maturity from a KM perspective.Practical implicationsThe findings first highlight the usefulness of focusing on people‐support in using the ERP adoption in this organisation's context and, second, they illustrate how a CMM tool like the K‐Adv can be used to evaluate KM practices.Originality/valueThe likely effectiveness of use of an ERP is well‐known. However, the originality of the paper is twofold. First, it explains effective ERP application drivers and inhibitors from a KM perspective. Second, it tests and adapts a tool that helps evaluate KM effectiveness and assists better understanding of how these practices are enacted from a cost management business unit perspective.
The processes of knowledge management in professional services firms in the construction industry: a critical assessment of both theory and practice
Authors: Fong Patrick S.W. , Choi Sonia K.Y. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeQuantity surveying firms are characterized by their professional identity and knowledge‐driven nature; knowledge is crucial to their success in the competitive and dynamic business environment. As knowledge management is still in its infancy in the construction industry and structured knowledge management processes have not yet been adequately deployed in the surveying discipline, this research seeks to focus on the implicit knowledge management processes being undertaken in professional quantity surveying firms in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachA framework of knowledge processes was developed from a detailed literature review in an attempt to enhance the knowledge flow in Hong Kong professional quantity surveying firms. The applicability and validity of the framework were verified by quantitative research methods. Based on the proposed process model, a questionnaire survey was then conducted to study the opinions of professional quantity surveyors on the details of these processes; the questionnaire was returned with a response rate of 42.6 percent out of 260.FindingsFrom the findings of the questionnaire survey, the research confirms the six knowledge management processes in quantity surveying firms, namely acquisition, creation, storage, distribution, use, and maintaining. There is a general lack of specifically assigned staff for knowledge acquisition from external sources, knowledge acquisition having an overall mean value marginally below the passing point, and a relatively low reliance on external knowledge by these firms.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper unravels some of the mysteries and difficulties of transferring knowledge both within and across projects. The findings can equally be applied in other project‐based industries.Practical implicationsA clear policy/strategy governing the ways in which knowledge should be handled is far from prevalent in Hong Kong quantity surveying firms. The appointment of managers for knowledge aspects was only carried out by one third of the responding quantity surveyors. Despite the absence of such an appointment and policy, nearly half of the responding quantity surveyors can seek the necessary knowledge when they need it.Originality/valueAlthough the study applies uniquely to quantity surveying professional services firms and may not yield an evaluation that is comparable with previous studies, it is hoped that the same survey instrument can be applied to other types of project‐based professional services organizations in order to find out whether there are differences among different professions in terms of how they manage their organizational knowledge. In addition, these future studies can offer a benchmarking effect to firms providing customized professional services to clients.
Evaluating web site quality: the value of a multi paradigm approach
Authors: Fink Dieter , Nyaga Casty 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to benchmark the quality of web sites of major public accounting (PA) firms by seeking the opinions of potential clients and analysing the data to establish best quality practice for PA web sites.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting in which potential clients of PA firms used a modified version of the WebQual™ questionnaire to evaluate the web sites of six leading PA firms. Design science provided the guiding paradigm but its weaknesses were ameliorated by drawing on constructivism and pragmatism to provide context and practicality for the research.FindingsThe study established web site quality profiles of six leading PA firms. The interpretation of findings is influenced by axiology and rhetoric and are both unbiased (determined by statistical means) and biased (influenced by the researchers' values). Data analysis clearly showed that the usability construct reflected the highest quality at all levels while riskiness was the construct with the lowest quality level.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of multiple paradigms (design science, constructivism, and pragmatism) produced the desired insights to determining web site quality issues for the PA sector for the key reason that they complemented each other rather than being in conflict. However, the usefulness of the approach is dependent on follow‐up research to confirm the findings with the PA firms concerned and to monitor any action taken by them in response to the study's findings.Practical implicationsBy benchmarking a number of PA web sites, practices within the sector will be able to learn from the findings and be able to improve the quality of their web sites thereby retaining the competitive edge to meet their clients' needs.Originality/valueThe paper reflects on the value of the multi paradigm approach to web site quality research design and conduct and discussion of findings. It was concluded that design science provided the necessary research rigour while the other two paradigms enabled the researchers to bring their worldviews on ontology, epistemology, axiology and rhetoric to the research.
Scenario planning: a collage construction approach
Authors: Graham Saunders Stephen 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest and recommend an alternative visual technique to collect scenario planning information. This visual technique is known as collage or papier collé.Design/methodology/approachA case study example of using collage construction to collect scenario planning information is presented.FindingsCollage construction was deemed well suited to scenario planning as it overcome some of the problems of verbal communication techniques, providing an additional technique that allows the scenario planner to analyse information from multiple angles and sources. Through using multiple techniques, the scenario planner is able to increase “trustworthiness” of the data and analysis and build confidence that the future scenarios are “authentic”, “believable” and “applicable”.Research limitations/implicationsA major limitation of this study is that only one case study is presented. To ensure “trustworthiness” across a variety of industries and cultural contexts, further replication would be needed.Practical implicationsCollage construction can prove to be a valuable additional tool for the scenario planner when verbal communication is limited or problematic.Originality/valueThis research recommends a scenario planning technique that does not necessarily rely on verbal communication skills.