title: Change Readiness Influences on Knowledge Management Processes: A Case of Three Professional Service Firms

authors: Rusly, Fariza Hanim

subjects: knowledge management

abstract: Introduction: The current dynamic market is characterised by stiff competition and ever-changing clients’ demand for better and innovative products and services. In this challenging environment, the need for developing and managing knowledge transcends the importance of accumulating physical capital. With an increasing awareness of the potential of knowledge as a competitive source for firms’ survival, there is an increased knowledge management initiatives and investments by firms. Nevertheless, literature highlights increasing failures of knowledge management initiatives, with reasons for the failure yet to be established conclusively. 
On the basis of the premise that implementation of the knowledge management process could induce changes in firms’ practices and culture, and employees’ beliefs and cognitive structure,  the current thesis addresses the issue from the change management perspective. The main idea that drives the research evolves from the understanding that failure in knowledge management initiatives could be rooted in the lack of readiness to change.   

Objective: The primary objective of this thesis is to understand how the change readiness construct shapes the various processes for managing knowledge in professional service firms. Change readiness in this thesis was conceptualised as a multidimensional and multilevel construct. This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge by explicating the way these change readiness elements shape knowledge management processes. The study setting within the professional service industry offers unique insights, which is less explored in the extant KM literature. 

Method: The study was conducted within the professional service firms’ context, on the basis that knowledge represents the main source for survival and competitiveness in this knowledge-intensive industry. This research is grounded in the interpretive paradigm and is studied from the constructivist epistemological lens. This qualitative research employed multiple case study design in three New Zealand professional service firms. Two firms are accounting establishments and one represents an engineering maintenance firm. Sixteen semi-structured interviews, conducted over the period of two months, involved the managerial and operational professionals in these participating firms. Data were analysed following the grounded theory analysis and findings presented using cross-cases analysis.

Results: This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of knowledge management (KM) by revealing the distinctive influences of multidimensional elements of the change readiness construct on the knowledge acquisition, knowledge application and knowledge sharing processes in the firms studied. 
The thesis proposes three dimensions of the change readiness construct, which are categorised as KM change understanding, KM change context and individual differences. The dimension of KM change understanding consists of change goal, change benefit, need for knowledge, perceived management support and collective commitment. The KM change context is comprised of learning, participation, communication and management support. Individual expertise and adaptability represent the individual differences dimension of the change readiness construct. 

Specifically, findings show that:
1)	Readiness for the knowledge acquisition process is largely shaped by the individual’s change readiness elements, including the understanding of the need for knowledge and perceived management support, and the individual’s capability of expertise and adaptability.  Learning and communication provides the essential contexts that shape the firm’s readiness for the knowledge acquisition process.
2)	Readiness for the knowledge application process is largely shaped by the individual’s change readiness elements, including the understanding of change goal, change benefit and perceived management support, and the individual’s capability of expertise and adaptability. Collective commitment shapes professionals’ understanding of knowledge application at the firm level. Learning and management support provides the essential contexts that shape the firm’s readiness for the knowledge application process.
3)	Readiness for the knowledge sharing process is largely shaped by the firm’s change readiness elements, consisting of professionals’ understanding of collective commitment, and the essential contexts of communication, participation and learning. Understanding of the need for knowledge and change benefit, as well as the professional’s expertise, shapes the individual’s readiness for the knowledge sharing process.
4)	The way these change readiness elements shapes the distinctive KM processes in the professional service firms studied vary due to the effects of firm archetypes, inter-profession differences, change nature, knowledge nature and the demographic characteristic. These factors moderates the interrelationships described in in 1), 2), and 3).

text: Change Readiness Influences on Knowledge Management Processes: A Case of Three Professional Service Firms Introduction: The current dynamic market is characterised by stiff competition and ever-changing clients’ demand for better and innovative products and services. In this challenging environment, the need for developing and managing knowledge transcends the importance of accumulating physical capital. With an increasing awareness of the potential of knowledge as a competitive source for firms’ survival, there is an increased knowledge management initiatives and investments by firms. Nevertheless, literature highlights increasing failures of knowledge management initiatives, with reasons for the failure yet to be established conclusively. 
On the basis of the premise that implementation of the knowledge management process could induce changes in firms’ practices and culture, and employees’ beliefs and cognitive structure,  the current thesis addresses the issue from the change management perspective. The main idea that drives the research evolves from the understanding that failure in knowledge management initiatives could be rooted in the lack of readiness to change.   

Objective: The primary objective of this thesis is to understand how the change readiness construct shapes the various processes for managing knowledge in professional service firms. Change readiness in this thesis was conceptualised as a multidimensional and multilevel construct. This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge by explicating the way these change readiness elements shape knowledge management processes. The study setting within the professional service industry offers unique insights, which is less explored in the extant KM literature. 

Method: The study was conducted within the professional service firms’ context, on the basis that knowledge represents the main source for survival and competitiveness in this knowledge-intensive industry. This research is grounded in the interpretive paradigm and is studied from the constructivist epistemological lens. This qualitative research employed multiple case study design in three New Zealand professional service firms. Two firms are accounting establishments and one represents an engineering maintenance firm. Sixteen semi-structured interviews, conducted over the period of two months, involved the managerial and operational professionals in these participating firms. Data were analysed following the grounded theory analysis and findings presented using cross-cases analysis.

Results: This thesis contributes to the body of knowledge in the field of knowledge management (KM) by revealing the distinctive influences of multidimensional elements of the change readiness construct on the knowledge acquisition, knowledge application and knowledge sharing processes in the firms studied. 
The thesis proposes three dimensions of the change readiness construct, which are categorised as KM change understanding, KM change context and individual differences. The dimension of KM change understanding consists of change goal, change benefit, need for knowledge, perceived management support and collective commitment. The KM change context is comprised of learning, participation, communication and management support. Individual expertise and adaptability represent the individual differences dimension of the change readiness construct. 

Specifically, findings show that:
1)	Readiness for the knowledge acquisition process is largely shaped by the individual’s change readiness elements, including the understanding of the need for knowledge and perceived management support, and the individual’s capability of expertise and adaptability.  Learning and communication provides the essential contexts that shape the firm’s readiness for the knowledge acquisition process.
2)	Readiness for the knowledge application process is largely shaped by the individual’s change readiness elements, including the understanding of change goal, change benefit and perceived management support, and the individual’s capability of expertise and adaptability. Collective commitment shapes professionals’ understanding of knowledge application at the firm level. Learning and management support provides the essential contexts that shape the firm’s readiness for the knowledge application process.
3)	Readiness for the knowledge sharing process is largely shaped by the firm’s change readiness elements, consisting of professionals’ understanding of collective commitment, and the essential contexts of communication, participation and learning. Understanding of the need for knowledge and change benefit, as well as the professional’s expertise, shapes the individual’s readiness for the knowledge sharing process.
4)	The way these change readiness elements shapes the distinctive KM processes in the professional service firms studied vary due to the effects of firm archetypes, inter-profession differences, change nature, knowledge nature and the demographic characteristic. These factors moderates the interrelationships described in in 1), 2), and 3).

year: 2014

title: The response of a floating ice sheet to an accelerating line load

authors: Miles, J.

abstract: The two-dimensional response of a thin, floating sheet of ice to a line load that accelerates from rest at $t = 0$ to a uniform velocity V for $t \geq T$ is determined through an integral-transform solution of the linearized equations of motion. If $T = 0$ – i.e. if the load is impulsively started with velocity V – the solution exhibits singularities at $V = c_0$, the shallow-water-gravity-wave speed, and $V = c_{\min}$, the minimum speed for transverse motion of the ice, but these singularities are avoided by the acceleration of the load through the critical speeds.

text: The response of a floating ice sheet to an accelerating line load The two-dimensional response of a thin, floating sheet of ice to a line load that accelerates from rest at $t = 0$ to a uniform velocity V for $t \geq T$ is determined through an integral-transform solution of the linearized equations of motion. If $T = 0$ – i.e. if the load is impulsively started with velocity V – the solution exhibits singularities at $V = c_0$, the shallow-water-gravity-wave speed, and $V = c_{\min}$, the minimum speed for transverse motion of the ice, but these singularities are avoided by the acceleration of the load through the critical speeds.

year: 2003

title: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori

authors: Douglas, Vianney Gaye

subjects: Kura Kaupapa Maori

abstract: There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

text: Kua takoto te maanuka: Te tiimatanga o teetahi Kura Kaupapa Maaori There is a paucity of literature on the establishment of new schools, and more particularly, the establishment of Kura Kaupapa Maaori. In addition, there is even less literature concerning the experiences and perspectives of whaanau and hapuu within Kaupapa Maaori initiatives. 

This thesis, therefore, illustrates the experience of a whaanau in the establishment of their Kura Kaupapa Maaori. The assertion within this thesis is that there are unique issues and challenges that Maaori communities encounter when pursuing the establishment of a Kura Kaupapa Maaori. Furthermore, a key factor in the success of establishing and sustaining the school is in the leadership.

Thus, the cognisance of Kaupapa Maaori and the development of Kura Kaupapa Maaori are explored. In addition, the key characteristics, roles and responsibilities of Maaori leadership both within the wider community and within schools are explored.

This case study included an interview with the Principal, and several focus group interviews with parents, staff and students of the new Kura Kaupapa who were involved with the school’s establishment during its first three years. In 2013, in its eleventh year, the school was identified as one of the top five successful Kura Kaupapa Maaori. 

The findings of this research will assist whaanau and leaders within schools to develop an understanding and appreciation of five key issues and challenges that a new school may face, and avenues that may take to address these.

year: 2014