bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Knowledge Management Readiness in an Engineering Consulting organization in South Africa
Authors: Mahuni Edigar , Fombad Madeleine 
Published: September 2023

This article investigates knowledge management readiness at an engineering consulting firm in South Africa known as Zutari (Pty) Ltd, or Zutari, and suggest a strategy to achieve readiness in engineering firms. Engineering consulting firms are knowledge-intensive firms that offer specialised services in the provision of independent expert knowledge in the fields of engineering, science and other related areas in the public and private sectors, infrastructure, and construction sectors Although knowledge management is widely acknowledged as a strategic enabler in engineering consulting firms, most initiatives fail, making a knowledge management readiness assessment essential before implementation. The target population was Zutari’s permanently employed technical professionals. Stratified and systematic sampling methods were applied to select a sample of 285 technical professionals. A questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data. The assessment model of Aydin and Tasci (2005) was used to assign readiness levels for the critical success factors under investigation. The findings reveal that the level of knowledge management awareness among Sutaria staff is quite high, even though knowledge management is practised informally. A knowledge management readiness strategy is suggested to get Sutaria to the expected level of readiness. Knowledge management is widely acknowledged as a strategic enabler by employees in Zutari, with information technology currently the only critical success factor at the expected level of readiness. A knowledge management strategy is suggested to assist Sutaria in achieving the expected level of readiness. Further research could test the effectiveness of the readiness strategy in different contexts using mixed methods research. This research will add new knowledge to the body of knowledge in the engineering consulting sector and help firms planning to implement knowledge management. Not many studies have been conducted to test the organisational readiness for knowledge management in engineering consulting firms. This article adds to the body of knowledge in this field.
Knowledge Sharing and Transfer Frameworks: Lessons from Sub-Saharan South Africa.
Authors: Nadison Donovan , Olekanma Obafemi , Mgedezi Viwe 
Published: September 2023

The success of Sub-Saharan South Africa’s public sector could be deemed dependent on context-relevant knowledge sharing and transfer (KST) frameworks to facilitate knowledge exchange. Knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks which facilitate knowledge management (KM) are still largely influenced by Western research studies, these contributions dominate the field. The extant knowledge sharing and transfer public management frameworks increasingly reflect a predominantly western oriented bias towards objectivist perspectives on knowledge, the alternate practice-based knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks, considered responsive to Sub-Saharan African knowledge exchange problems are under-investigated. This paper thus aims to understand ‘what KST framework factors enhance public management in Sub-Saharan South Africa’. The research was designed as a qualitative study underpinned by interpretivist philosophy. Qualitative data were collected from 15 public sector practitioners, using the semi-structured interview technique. Thematic Analysis and Trans Positional Cognition Approach was used to analyse the data collected. The findings from this study yielded four themes namely, Unique antecedent performance factors; Human performance factors; Organisational performance factors and Continuous learning performance strategies. Rahman’s knowledge sharing and transfer conceptual model was adopted as a theoretical framework and used to better understand the findings of this work. Applying the theoretical framework, we note elements within Rahman’s model could be deemed more applicable in a Western context as it only confirmed two of the study’s four findings. We therefore propose the output of this study as new knowledge within the Knowledge sharing and transfer frameworks’ domain. Our contribution is compatible with the Sub-Saharan South African organisational context. The implication of this within context is that KST implementation in sub-Saharan South Africa could deemed bottom up oriented as against the western approach which is top-down. This study thus contributes to a better understanding of KST Framework implementation in Sub Saharan South Africa and provides opportunity for future research work in this field.
Reimagining Power and Micro-politics in Project Organisations
Authors: Olaisen Johan , Jevnaker Helene 
Published: September 2023

The empirically investigated problem of our paper is what impact do micropolitics and power have on project management in an organization? Informal power and micropolitics played a massive role in the projects, and personal and relational knowledge appeared in all projects to achieve the expected results. The project manager uses personal networks, personal relations, and mentor's network with cognitive, affective, and emotional influence as power and politics if needed to achieve expected results. Power and micropolitics were necessary skills and tools for a successful project manager. The findings relate to the manager's intentions. The informal power and micro-politics process are reused in every project because informal power and micropolitics are a part of project work. Power accumulation and wise handling are essential leadership tools for every manager. Employees work for managers who have power over those who do not. The former can get them what they want: visibility, upwards mobility, and resources. Micropolitics and power represent a unique competence (i.e., knowledge, experiences, and attitudes) and tool for handling any project. Power is significantly underrated as a tool to control and govern projects. Micropolitics is a part of that tool to get the decisions the project leader wants, maybe with future promises. A democratic and consensus-oriented decision process opens for power games and micropolitics rather than hedging them in more hierarchical organizations. A complex matrix organization involving employees in many projects is also open to micropolitics and power. Micropolitics and power might prolong and complicate decision-making processes in ordinary projects and improve processes in fast-track projects. Micropolitics and power both increase and reduce the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization. The higher complexity, the higher returns on using power and micro-politics to get the expected project results.
Knowledge About Medical Waste Management: How do Healthcare Professionals Learn and Practice?
Authors: Linden Ane , Werlang Amanda 
Published: September 2023

The management and disposal of medical waste follow scientific protocols to ensure safety. However, the effective implementation of the medical waste management system depended on correct handling and segregation by the healthcare workers, during their daily activities. These professionals need to know about health waste management, since incorrect handling and disposal pose a potential risk to the environment and human health. This study aimed to analyze the knowledge regarding the management of medical waste of the healthcare teams working in the Family Health Strategy (FHS). Designed to provide preventive and basic healthcare using multidisciplinary professional teams, the FHS reflects many best practices. The research was carried out in a city that is the 3rd economy in southern Brazil. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach, and data were assessed by using self-administered and pretested questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 74 participants, including doctors, nurses, and nursing technicians. Descriptive statistics were carried out to express participants’ demographic information, mean knowledge score, and the teaching strategies used with the team. The main research results show that the healthcare teams working in the Family Health Strategy have, in part, knowledge about the correct management of waste. Besides, they are sensitive, in general, to its impact on the environment. Nevertheless, the results highlighted that more practical training would be needed, to help healthcare workers with everyday doubts. Furthermore, the results show that it requires attention to rethinking the strategies used to train and develop knowledge and skills in health services.
Protection & Promotion of Traditional Knowledge of Marginalised Communities: A Legal Perspective
Authors: SMITH ROBERT , Perry Mark 
Published: September 2023

Marginalised rural communities, particularly in tropical countries such as those within Southeast Asia, are often aware of the use of indigenous herbs and agricultural products but concomitantly oblivious as to the means of protection and promotion of using their traditional knowledge. It is estimated that around 1,500 plant species have been widely used for traditional medicines in Southeast Asia. The paper will commence with a discussion of the meaning of “traditional knowledge”, adopting a utilitarian perspective. The paper focuses on the countries of Southeast Asia and provides a legal analysis of the protection of traditional knowledge provided under international treaties, namely: Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of International Property Rights (TRIPS); International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA); and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). To date, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has been unable to agree on the contents of an international legal instrument relating to intellectual property rights over genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and traditional culture. The legislative responses of the 11 nations of Southeast Asia are analysed. Much of the focus of international treaties is on protecting plant breeders’ rights over farmers’ rights, and this imbalance should be addressed. Governments should be proactive and amend their patent legislation to require patent applicants to declare their use of indigenous resources and knowledge. Examples of the development and promotion of traditional knowledge are briefly described.
Utilising Shared Service Organisations for dynamic service networks
Authors: Ryan Linda 
Published: September 2023

Collaborative governance which repositions citizens as service co-ordinators - has become an increasingly visible methodology within public organisations. In this new model, service management is dependent upon a complex series of iterative interactions between multiple stakeholders, making the service network is notoriously difficult to manage. Shared Service Organisations (SSOs) - unit(s) within an enterprise that deliver specialized, value-added services across the organization to multiple internal users – are uniquely positioned to understand and manipulate the complex, non-linear, relational nature of collaborative networks and fully harness operant resources for long-term impactful service delivery. Despite significant potential for SSOs within collaborative governance, there is a surprising lack of insight best managerial practices and the effect on staff behaviour, and even more so on the potential of SSOs to manage these networks. This research presents a single in-depth case study with the Project Management Office of an Irish national economic development agency using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) Methodology within a Design Thinking Framework. This allowed the researcher to see and interact with the challenges faced by participants and hone their understanding of influencing factors and contextual considerations. The research identified three key managerial implications. Firstly, explicit actions to establish and maintain a service mindset - which recognises and values operant resources - must be formally implemented into SSO operations. It is not sufficient to for managers to assume staff have a service orientated mindset, particularly when existing organisational processes reinforce old practices through quantifiable, process orientated outputs. Secondly, critical reflection must be formally integrated into management processes and must support the questioning of current operations in an open and frank atmosphere. Formalising time for critical reflection provides staff with opportunities and resources to question old practices and discuss and construct knowledge collaboratively. Thirdly, relational user engagement and communication practices within SSO service strategies must be deliberate and strategic. Due to the integrated nature of SSOs and the collaborative nature of their operations, clear operational and interaction guidelines empowers SSO staff fully harness their strategic role, question high level management and support critical strategic thinking.
Digital innovation through cybersecurity learning factories
Authors: Veerasamy Namosha , Mkhwanazi Thuli , Khan Zubeida 
Published: September 2023

Globally, the cybersecurity workforce changes tremendous challenges. Shortages in specialised cybersecurity staff members essentially puts organisations at risk. New graduates can face difficulties in entering the cybersecurity domain due to a lack of experience and knowledge. However, with the advent of newer techniques for knowledge development, we find that learning factories offer a fresh perspective. Learning factories provide a mechanism to remove the barriers in the field of cybersecurity and cultivate a nurturing training environment. This paper looks at the modernisation of traditional training by covering the application of learning factories in the cybersecurity field. It aims to show how knowledge can be geared into more practical schemes to empower participants and expose them to critical cybersecurity skills. Through the paper, it will be demonstrated that learning factories can be used for real-world learning and information sharing. Learning factories embody the principles of knowledge sharing and promotes more efficient knowledge management. With the use of nominated tools and technologies cyber security learning factories can help measure the effectiveness of worker training as well provide for consistent facilitated training. Overall, learning factories can help to transform training and build knowledge application.
Learning factories may be set up to tackle real industry challenges and are particularly useful in the field of cybersecurity. Using learning factories there is an opportunity to advance multi-dimensional cybersecurity skills and develop innovation in the field. Due to the added advantages of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) being virtually accessible, there is the added benefits of agility, responsiveness and increased engagement. Using a variety of modes, cybersecurity learning factories can combine the techniques of gamification, videos, multi-media and simulation. All of this provided an augmented and enriched experience for participants. Learning factories are a low-cost solution to replicating working environments thus assisting in skills development. Through the application of learning factories, a skilled workforce can be developed and cultivated.
Organizing decision making process in public administration: the impact of knowledge visualization
Authors: Vesperi Walter , Melina Anna Maria , Ventura Marzia 
Published: September 2023

The growing complexity of the competitive context imposes on organizations the necessary to make effective decisions in a short time. Consequently, the organization must make decisions on an ever-increasing volume of data and information to increase their competitive advantage. For this reason, the decision- making process must be supported by new tools capable of facilitating and time reduction the knowledge transfer. The public administrations are a particular and very emblematic case. Indeed, public administrations are characterized as bureaucratic organizations with lengthy, often ineffective decision-making processes. The main consequence is a loss of value for the reference community. Hence, improving decision-making in public administrations can have a direct impact on society. On this wise, knowledge visualization by transforming knowledge into different visual tools (e.g., images, tables, graphs, knowledge maps, etc.) can support the decision-making process, speeding up the knowledge transfer process. A growing field of studies is focusing on the knowledge visualization, and on tools to support the decision-making process. The knowledge visualization in complex organizations appears to be a subject that has not yet been fully explored. The objective of this study is to understand the impact that knowledge visualization has on the decision-making process in public administration. In this study the methodological approach implemented has qualitative and exploratory nature. The exploratory nature aims to build the theoretical premises regarding knowledge visualization, the use of knowledge visualization in public administration, and the operational and strategic capacity to support decision- making. The data was collected through the analysis of a case study. This study is part of knowledge management studies, with particular emphasis on knowledge. visualization. The results of this study, based on the observation of a case study, offer theoretical reflections on the impact of knowledge visualization in the decision-making processes of public administration. The managerial implications of this study offer an overview of the knowledge visualization tools used in public administration and the impact of knowledge visualization in the decision- making process.
Integrating Buddhist Principles Into Management Control Systems: A Cattari Ariya Saccani Approach
Authors: Kawi Irma Cahyani , Pontjoharyo Wiyono 
Published: September 2023

An organization or business entity has multiple goals, including providing happiness to stakeholders, fostering harmony with the surrounding environment and nature, and instilling universal, transcendental values in each member. The role of each individual in an organization or business entity is crucial as they are the source of human power. Therefore, self-control is an important aspect that must be addressed. According to various studies, organizations or business entities that incorporate spirituality in their activities have proven to be sustainable and successful. The Management Control System (MCS) can play a role in achieving this.
This study adopts a qualitative, exploratory research approach to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of the MCS based on the Cattari Ariya Saccani approach. which is not well known to the public and could lead to the creation of a new conceptual model. Cattari Ariya Saccani is a Buddhist teaching that integrates self-control with noble values and spiritual dimensions, different from the general MCS, making it suitable for exploring its unique essence. This study aims to contribute to existing theory by providing insights into the Cattari Ariya Saccani approach to MCS, which balances material, rational, and formal aspects of MCS with spiritual and ethical considerations. This research contributes to the literature by advancing the understanding of integrating religious principles into the business and management context. The practical implications suggest that organizations could consider adopting Buddhist principles through the Cattari Ariya Saccani approach as a means to enhance wisdom and ethical decision-making, as well as to promote sustainability in their operations.
Alteraciones en el sentido del olfato y del gusto en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica, trasplante y diálisis, y su asociación con el estado nutricional
Authors: Carrillo-Degollado Alba N. , Salazar-Guzmán Estefanía P. , Gutierrez-Pliego Laura E. , Orozco-González Claudia N. 
Published: September 2023

Introducción: la insuficiencia renal crónica cursa con alteraciones como la anosmia y la disgeusia causadas por el incremento de toxinas urémicas. Estos pueden influir en la alimentación del paciente y, por tanto, en su estado nutricional.
Objetivo: analizar las evidencias encontradas en la literatura sobre la prevalencia, fisiopatología y tratamiento de la pérdida de gusto y olfato en pacientes con enfermedad renal, cualquier terapia de reemplazo y trasplantados renales y su asociación con el estado nutricional.
Material y métodos: este trabajo es una revisión narrativa. Se realizó una búsqueda en PubMed, SciELO, Google académico, Elsevier, OVID, Medline y Scopus con el objetivo de evidenciar la asociación entre el estado de nutrición y la pérdida total o parcial del olfato y del gusto.
Resultados: se muestra la relación existente de la pérdida del olfato con el grado de insuficiencia renal y el grado de acumulación de toxinas urémicas. Con respecto al gusto, se ha descrito una disminución por déficit de zinc y eliminación de urea por medio de la saliva. La alteración de la percepción del gusto en estos pacientes de hemodiálisis se asocia de forma independiente con altos índices en déficits de micronutrientes asociados con el estado nutricional y con una mayor mortalidad.
Conclusiones: la pérdida del olfato, del gusto o ambas es una condición frecuente en los pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica y contribuye al riesgo nutricional de estos pacientes.
Rol de la suplementación con probióticos en el desarrollo y la evolución de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y la enfermedad de Parkinson: una revisión narrativa
Authors: Daza Latorre Maria Alejandra 
Published: September 2023

Con el envejecimiento de la población mundial, las enfermedades neurodegenerativas se han tornado cada vez más prevalentes. Esto afecta la calidad de vida en los adultos mayores y acarrea costos elevados en el cuidado de estos pacientes, además de consecuencias emocionales adversas para sus familias. Por otra parte, la microbiota intestinal emerge como un campo creciente en la investigación al punto de considerarse como un nuevo órgano, con un rol determinante en el proceso salud-enfermedad del individuo. Estudios recientes han caracterizado un posible papel primordial de la microbiota en la patogénesis de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y de la enfermedad de Parkinson, lo cual ha generado un nuevo campo de interés sobre cómo los cambios de la microbiota a través de la suplementación con probióticos podrían influenciar en la evolución de síntomas como el deterioro cognitivo en la enfermedad de Alzheimer y en la mejoría de síntomas motores y no motores en la enfermedad de Parkinson. En este sentido, algunas investigaciones han encontrado resultados esperanzadores tanto en el desempeño cognitivo y perfil metabólico en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer, como en la mejoría en la escala Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) y el estreñimiento en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson. Lo anterior plantea la necesidad de diseñar estudios futuros que permitan establecer los alcances reales que tiene esta novedosa terapéutica. De comprobarse su utilidad como tratamiento adyuvante, potencialmente podría modificar la progresión de los síntomas y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con este tipo de enfermedades catastróficas.