title: An investigation into tacit knowledge management at the supervisory level.

authors: Williams, David John

subjects: tacit knowledge

abstract: An investigation into tacit knowledge management at the supervisory level Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how supervisors managed tacit knowledge. Aims: The aims were to understand what tacit knowledge looked like on the shop floor, to understand "experience‟ in terms of tacit knowledge, and to describe the methods and techniques that supervisors used to manage this elusive resource as they went about the task of achieving organisational goals. Method: Qualitative data was collected using a novel iterative participant observation method, where the researcher-as-instrument was embedded as a novice (but privileged) employee for extended periods in four different case study sites. Over the course of the study, the researcher took on the role of laboratory technician, electrical engineer, manufacturing process worker, and aircraft maintenance engineer. A grounded theory approach was taken to the analysis of the various field notes, photographs, video, audio, and found objects. The methodology was augmented with specialist qualitative research software to manage the data. Results: It was found that supervisors' tacit knowledge management activities can be classified according to formal and informal behaviours that correspond with Nonaka and Takeuchi's SECI knowledge life cycle. It was also found that a worker's task related tacit knowledge has seven aspects in five levels of competency, and their experience can be described in terms of 10 categories of tacit knowledge working capital. Insights attributed to the novel method of data collection produced an unexpected finding – the Home Guard model, which describes how the value of an individual's knowledge sharing activities is related to their power distance and self-confidence. Conclusions: The findings provide empirical support for existing knowledge management theory, identify specific supervisory behaviours that support tacit knowledge management on the shop floor, and extend the knowledge management discourse with new theories about knowledge sharing behaviours that have direct application to the supervisory role.

text: An investigation into tacit knowledge management at the supervisory level. An investigation into tacit knowledge management at the supervisory level Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how supervisors managed tacit knowledge. Aims: The aims were to understand what tacit knowledge looked like on the shop floor, to understand "experience‟ in terms of tacit knowledge, and to describe the methods and techniques that supervisors used to manage this elusive resource as they went about the task of achieving organisational goals. Method: Qualitative data was collected using a novel iterative participant observation method, where the researcher-as-instrument was embedded as a novice (but privileged) employee for extended periods in four different case study sites. Over the course of the study, the researcher took on the role of laboratory technician, electrical engineer, manufacturing process worker, and aircraft maintenance engineer. A grounded theory approach was taken to the analysis of the various field notes, photographs, video, audio, and found objects. The methodology was augmented with specialist qualitative research software to manage the data. Results: It was found that supervisors' tacit knowledge management activities can be classified according to formal and informal behaviours that correspond with Nonaka and Takeuchi's SECI knowledge life cycle. It was also found that a worker's task related tacit knowledge has seven aspects in five levels of competency, and their experience can be described in terms of 10 categories of tacit knowledge working capital. Insights attributed to the novel method of data collection produced an unexpected finding – the Home Guard model, which describes how the value of an individual's knowledge sharing activities is related to their power distance and self-confidence. Conclusions: The findings provide empirical support for existing knowledge management theory, identify specific supervisory behaviours that support tacit knowledge management on the shop floor, and extend the knowledge management discourse with new theories about knowledge sharing behaviours that have direct application to the supervisory role.

year: 2011

title: Optimisation of bovine embryonic stem cell-like line derivation and candidate gene expression analysis

authors: Reddy, Shobana

abstract: The successful derivation of bovine embryonic stem cells (bESCs) has been an area of interest for livestock scientists over the years. These cells possess significant potential for revolutionising livestock breeding by enabling accelerated genetic gain within a single generation. Although robust derivation methods exist for mouse and human ESCs (mESC, hESC), this is not the case for livestock species. Its derivation remains challenging due to the lack of understanding of signalling pathways that maintain pluripotency and regulate early embryo development in livestock species, along with the failure of direct application of mESC and hESC culture conditions. In recent years, studies have reported the development of culture conditions that support bESC derivation, which were adapted in this thesis. This study aims to optimise bESC culture conditions, as well as optimise quantitative PCR methods for gene expression analysis to assess pluripotency. Using cell enrichment treatments, differential plating, colony picking and cell straining, three bESC-like cell lines were derived, which included a wild-type cell line (17), a red fluorescent reporter cell line (R23), and a transgenic β-κ-casein cell line (B2). Although these cell lines were found to express pluripotency markers, both gene and protein expression analysis revealed that the cell lines comprised of a mixed population. Further validation is required to confirm the identity of the derived cells, including using single cell RNA sequencing, karyotyping, in vitro and in vivo differentiation, whole animal generation, and germline contribution assessment.

text: Optimisation of bovine embryonic stem cell-like line derivation and candidate gene expression analysis The successful derivation of bovine embryonic stem cells (bESCs) has been an area of interest for livestock scientists over the years. These cells possess significant potential for revolutionising livestock breeding by enabling accelerated genetic gain within a single generation. Although robust derivation methods exist for mouse and human ESCs (mESC, hESC), this is not the case for livestock species. Its derivation remains challenging due to the lack of understanding of signalling pathways that maintain pluripotency and regulate early embryo development in livestock species, along with the failure of direct application of mESC and hESC culture conditions. In recent years, studies have reported the development of culture conditions that support bESC derivation, which were adapted in this thesis. This study aims to optimise bESC culture conditions, as well as optimise quantitative PCR methods for gene expression analysis to assess pluripotency. Using cell enrichment treatments, differential plating, colony picking and cell straining, three bESC-like cell lines were derived, which included a wild-type cell line (17), a red fluorescent reporter cell line (R23), and a transgenic β-κ-casein cell line (B2). Although these cell lines were found to express pluripotency markers, both gene and protein expression analysis revealed that the cell lines comprised of a mixed population. Further validation is required to confirm the identity of the derived cells, including using single cell RNA sequencing, karyotyping, in vitro and in vivo differentiation, whole animal generation, and germline contribution assessment.

year: 2025

title: Indigenous Psychology in Aotearoa: Realising Māori Aspirations

authors: Levy, Michelle Patricia

subjects: Maori

abstract: Indigenous psychology in Aotearoa positions the aspirations of Māori as central.  The aim of this thesis is to describe and contribute to the development of a psychological discipline which is relevant and of benefit for Māori communities.  Part One sets the scene in Aotearoa, examining the relationship between Māori development and psychology.  Part Two explores the indigenous psychology literature base, identifying strategies which may be relevant to Aotearoa.  The key themes of context, critical mass, and mechanisms to support indigenous psychology development are identified as being relevant to Aotearoa.  Part Three explores indigenous psychology development in Aotearoa.  Data from a range of sources is qualitatively analysed to develop five themes which describe the current status of Māori development in psychology, the importance of the critical mass and the notion of collective responsibility.  Part Four, drawing from the analysis in Parts One, Two and Three, identifies 'reaching the point of irreversible change' as the next phase of indigenous psychology development in Aotearoa.  This is the point at which indigenous psychology development becomes self-sustaining.  

The point at which irreversible change occurs is when: Māori knowledge bases are a legitimate part of psychology in Aotearoa; resistance to the legitimacy of Māori knowledge bases in psychology is not a characteristic of our landscape; environments supportive of indigenous psychology development are commonplace; and responsibility for contributing to indigenous psychology development is shared among and sustained by the collective capacity of the Leaders and Producers.  Consolidation, the process by which multiple and interrelated pathways are connected to form a unified whole, is fundamental to reaching the point of irreversible change.  An original interactional framework for consolidation is proposed.  This framework is based on two key consolidating mechanisms: a working description of Kaupapa Māori Psychologies; and a Kaupapa Māori Psychologies Research and Training Centre.  Psychologies relevant and of benefit to Māori communities which contribute to the realisation of Māori aspirations are the cornerstones, with all elements of the framework leading back into this fundamental foundation.

text: Indigenous Psychology in Aotearoa: Realising Māori Aspirations Indigenous psychology in Aotearoa positions the aspirations of Māori as central.  The aim of this thesis is to describe and contribute to the development of a psychological discipline which is relevant and of benefit for Māori communities.  Part One sets the scene in Aotearoa, examining the relationship between Māori development and psychology.  Part Two explores the indigenous psychology literature base, identifying strategies which may be relevant to Aotearoa.  The key themes of context, critical mass, and mechanisms to support indigenous psychology development are identified as being relevant to Aotearoa.  Part Three explores indigenous psychology development in Aotearoa.  Data from a range of sources is qualitatively analysed to develop five themes which describe the current status of Māori development in psychology, the importance of the critical mass and the notion of collective responsibility.  Part Four, drawing from the analysis in Parts One, Two and Three, identifies 'reaching the point of irreversible change' as the next phase of indigenous psychology development in Aotearoa.  This is the point at which indigenous psychology development becomes self-sustaining.  

The point at which irreversible change occurs is when: Māori knowledge bases are a legitimate part of psychology in Aotearoa; resistance to the legitimacy of Māori knowledge bases in psychology is not a characteristic of our landscape; environments supportive of indigenous psychology development are commonplace; and responsibility for contributing to indigenous psychology development is shared among and sustained by the collective capacity of the Leaders and Producers.  Consolidation, the process by which multiple and interrelated pathways are connected to form a unified whole, is fundamental to reaching the point of irreversible change.  An original interactional framework for consolidation is proposed.  This framework is based on two key consolidating mechanisms: a working description of Kaupapa Māori Psychologies; and a Kaupapa Māori Psychologies Research and Training Centre.  Psychologies relevant and of benefit to Māori communities which contribute to the realisation of Māori aspirations are the cornerstones, with all elements of the framework leading back into this fundamental foundation.

year: 2007