• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.53-68
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• 2006

Knowledge has become an important resource for organization. The manufacturing industry is usually operated on the basis of business processes, and most workers are familiar with their own processes. The process-based approach, therefore, can provide an efficient way to capture and navigate knowledge. In this study, we focus on knowledge which may be missed during knowledge transfer among workers. For this, we propose a method for analyzing knowledge flow, which is passed among business processes. We propose a process-based knowledge management framework for analyzing knowledge flow, which employs a two-phase analysis: process analysis and knowledge flow analysis. A knowledge flow model, represented by Knowledge Flow Diagram, is proposed as a tool for representing knowledge. We formulate several semantics for knowledge flow modeling. We build the three-level schema: conceptual, logical, and physical in order to automate the knowledge model adaptive to knowledge management systems. The proposed approach is verified and illustrated through a case study on the manufacturing process of A Company.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2002

Many organizations implement knowledge management initiates by developing knowledge management systems. This study aims at investigating knowledge sharing behaviors in a knowledge management system and identifying factors affecting such behaviors. To do this, we defined knowledge sharing behaviors in a knowledge management system as registration and view of knowledge at a system. Based on this definition, we established a research model by identifying seven factors affecting both behaviors as independent variables: Learning orientation, Pressure to share knowledge, Top management support, Reward for knowledge sharing, Level of experience in IT, System quality, and Knowledge quality. The 14 hypotheses derived from a research model were tested by a correlation analysis and a multiple regression analysis with data from 165 respondents of the 21 organizations which implemented knowledge management initiatives. As results, both of knowledge registration and knowledge review were strongly affected by the learning-orientedness of an organization. Finally, we discussed results and limitations of this study.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.25-44
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• 2001

There are two types of organizational knowledge in terms of its creation process: experiential and analytical knowledge. The experiential knowledge is created by repetitive experiences of an individual or team through task execution, while the analytical knowledge is acquired by analyzing accumulated data or information in the organization. The experiential knowledge often remains tacit or implicit in the organization because it is primarily acquired at an individual or team level. Therefore, the issue on the experiential knowledge is to share it actively within the organization. On the other hand, the analytical knowledge is explicit in its nature since it is extracted from data or information. Thus, it is important to guide a systematic creation of the analytical knowledge rather than encourage to share it. The current trend of "knowledge management" mainly focuses on the experiential knowledge - know-how, idea, case, etc - and neglects another important knowledge in the organization. i. e., analytical knowledge. This paper tries to shed a new light on the "knowledge management" arena by introducing rather new perspective in the concept of knowledge. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the analytical knowledge creation in the organization. We conducted an exploratory case study of three companies with a previously defined research framework and found some critical factors for the analytical knowledge creation. They are "organizational resource", "effectiveness of feedback process", "data source management", and "experimental mind set". Finally, we proposed research model and propositions regarding the analytical knowledge creation in the organization.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.75-97
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• 2019

In the rapidly changing business environment, knowledge has been recognized as a core asset for sustaining an organization's competitive advantage. In addition, knowledge sharing is one of the key elements of knowledge management, emphasizing external knowledge sharing beyond initial internal knowledge sharing. However, while knowledge management research emphasizes knowledge sharing, which is a positive aspect, research on preventing knowledge leakage that can have negative consequences is relatively lacking. Companies have tried to minimize the negative effects of knowledge management but many knowledge leakage accidents are still occurring. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of external factors based on deterrence theory and internal factors based on self-determination theory on knowledge leakage intention focusing on tacit knowledge. The results of the empirical analysis of 100 data sets collected through a scenario-based survey show that certainty of sanctions, social disapproval, and competence are found to have a significant effect on reducing tacit knowledge leakage intention. Furthermore, informal sanctions have a greater impact on tacit knowledge leakage intention than formal sanctions and external factors have a greater effect on tacit knowledge leakage intention than internal factors.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.31-46
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• 2018

Despite the organizational benefits of knowledge sharing among employees, many workers are reluctant to share their knowledge with their colleagues. Most organizations have taken a lot of actions to facilitate knowledge sharing among employees, including developing reward systems, enhancing social networks and interpersonal relationships and crafting organizational cultures that support knowledge sharing. To date, however, earlier studies have demonstrated that knowledge doesn't flow easily when an organization makes a concerted effort to facilitate knowledge sharing. The issue whether or not employees are motivated to share their knowledge with others is definitely the main concern in knowledge sharing. The purpose of this study is to explore the conditions under which employees are inclined to share knowledge with other members. Specifically, we examine the effect of knowledge self-efficacy on knowledge sharing intention. In addition, we attempt to investigate medicating effects of personal outcome expectation and performance-related outcome expectation on the relationship between knowledge self-efficacy and knowledge sharing intention. To test the proposed hypotheses in our study, we collected data via a survey with a sample of 210 employees in 23 firms in Korea. The major findings of the empirical research are as follows: 1) knowledge self-efficacy was positively related with knowledge sharing intention. 2) personal outcome expectation has turned out to have a mediation effect on the relationship between knowledge self-efficacy and knowledge sharing intention. 3) performance-related outcome expectation also mediates the relationship between knowledge self-efficacy and knowledge sharing intention That is, this result indicates that knowledge self-efficacy has indirect effect on knowledge sharing intention through personal outcome expectation and performance-related outcome expectation. Based on these findings, implications of the research findings and recommendation for future research are discussed.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-23
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• 2004

Knowledge sharing, as well as knowledge creation, is the basis for an organization to maintain its competitive advantage. Organizations trying to use knowledge resources for strategic purposes or pursuing knowledge management are now paying more attention to methods to facilitate knowledge sharing. This study aims to find out the answers to the questions below. (1) Which relational or structural factors influence the intentions to share knowledge among groups? (2) Does the intension to share knowledge among groups really influence the knowledge sharing behavior? (3) What are the roles of accessibility on the relationship between intention to share knowledge and behavior of knowledge sharing? (4) Does the behavior of knowledge sharing really improve the effectiveness of knowledge sharing among groups? Findings of this study are summarized as follows. First, the positive relations of the relational and structural factors with the intention to share knowledge among groups are found. However, crisis intensity was found to have no meaningful influence on the intention to share knowledge among groups. After all we could see through additional analysis that it is in curvilinear relation, not linear relation. Second, we examined relation of the intention to share knowledge with the behavior of knowledge sharing among groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that intention to share knowledge among groups had a statistically significant influence on the behavior of knowledge sharing among groups. Third, the moderating effect of accessibility on the relation between the intention to share knowledge and the behavior of knowledge sharing was found to be statistically significant. Fourth, the relation between behavior of knowledge sharing and the effectiveness among groups was found to be statistically significant, but in a negative direction. The findings imply that the quantity of knowledge sharing does not always lead to the effectiveness of knowledge sharing.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.277-306
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• 2008

Knowledge1 is considered to be a key element of understanding how organizations gain and sustain competitive advantages. But very few firms are capable of creating the requisite knowledge and thus, firms should acquire and exploit new knowledge through knowledge transfer processes. The empirical part of this study involves examining relationships among adaptability of knowledge and knowledge transfer and marketing performance and testing the moderating roles of absorptive capacity, socialization and local marketing knowledge. This study is organized as follows: (1) Previous literature on knowledge, knowledge transfer and absorptive capacity is summarized, followed by the development of hypotheses derived from the knowledge-based view and absorptive capacity. (2) The hypotheses are tested with data collected from MNCs' subsidiaries performing marketing activities in Korea.Thestudyisclosedwithfindings,implications,andconclusions. Following six research hypotheses are drawn from literature review in related areas: H1: Adaptability of knowledge transferred from the MNCs' headquarters and other subsidiaries is positively associated with knowledge inflows into the receiving subsidiary. H2: The level of marketing knowledge transferred from the MNCs' headquarters and other subsidiaries is positively associated with marketing performance of the receiving subsidiary. H3: Increases in potential absorptive capacity will enhance the relationship between adaptability of knowledge and the level of marketing knowledge transfer. H4: Increases in realized absorptive capacity will enhance the relationship between the level of knowledge transfer and marketing performance of the receiving subsidiary. H5: Increases in socialization activity among the headquarters and subsidiaries will enhance the relationship between adaptability of knowledge and the level of marketing knowledge transfer. H6: Increases in the level of locally developed marketing knowledge will enhance the relationship between the level of knowledge transfer and marketing performance of the receiving subsidiary. The research framework that illustrates the proposed hypotheses is presented in figure 1. The unit of analysis for this study is knowledge transfer from the MNCs' headquarters and other subsidiaries to their subsidiaries operating in South Korea. The population for this study consists of subsidiaries established either as joint ventures or as wholly-owned subsidiaries. A group of 603 foreign firms were drawn from diverse industry organizations and business societies. After personal contact, telephone, fax, and e-mail to request that the respondents complete the questionnaire, 282 valid questionnaires from 133 initial sample companies were collected. The results of the empirical analyses significantly support all of the proposed hypotheses except hypothesis 3. Adaptability of external knowledge promotes knowledge transfer and the relationship is moderated by a firm's potential knowledge absorptive capacity. On the other hand, knowledge transfer improves a firm's marketing performance and a firm's realized knowledge absorptive capacity and local marketing knowledge moderate the relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings in this study are as follows: (1) firms must take seeking, transferring, sharing and exploiting of external knowledge into serious consideration, while simultaneously creating knowledge to support the necessary business operations, remain competitive, and achieve superior performance. (2) Firms should continuously seek to develop their knowledge absorptive capacity (both potential and realized capacity) to absorb, learn and utilize valuable external knowledge. (3) Firms should emphasize not only absorptive capacity, but also development of local knowledge. Firms with strong absorptive capability and local knowledge can learn and transfer more external knowledge, which can be translated into greater levels of competence and performance.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.47-61
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• 2018

A knowledge map, a taxonomy of knowledge repositories, must have capabilities supporting and enhancing knowledge user's activity to search and select proper knowledge for problem-solving. Conventional knowledge maps, however, have been hierarchically categorized, and could not support such activity that must coincide with the user's cognitive process for knowledge utilization. This paper, therefore, aims to verify and develop a methodology to build a networked knowledge map that can support user's activity to search and retrieve proper knowledge based on the referential navigation between content-relevant knowledge. This paper deploys keywords as the semantic information between knowledge, because they can represent the overall contents of a given document, and because they can play the role of semantic information on the link between related documents. By aggregating links between documents, a document network can be formulated: a keyword-based networked knowledge map can be finally built. Domain expert-based validation test was also conducted on a networked knowledge map of 50 research papers, which confirmed the performance of the proposed methodology to be outstanding with respect to the precision and recall.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.83-111
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• 2009

Despite the growing emphasis on the importance of knowledge exchange among supply chain participants, few companies have fully exploited the knowledge resources held by their supply chain partners. Among many reasons for this phenomenon, recent literature on inter-firm knowledge exchange identifies knowledge complementarities between the supply channel partners as an important determinant of knowledge exchange. Firms participating in a supply chain are likely to exchange partners' complementary knowledge. In order to extract value from them, it is important to recognize the difference between the potential value and the implementation of this potential value. However, the literature fails to distinguish between potential knowledge complementarities and implemented knowledge complementarities. In order to realize the value of potential knowledge complementarities, knowledge should be exchanged and effectively integrated in the supply channel. Further, investigating inter-firm knowledge exchange from both partners' perspectives is important especially when there are interdependencies between the channel partners. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of potential knowledge complementarities on knowledge exchange in buyer-supplier relationships by looking at both partners' perspectives. This research also includes trust in partner's competence and inter-organizational information systems (IOIS) as they are relevant when the complementary knowledge flows between organizations. The data required for this field study was collected from 70 buyers and their suppliers in three multinational enterprises in two different industries (Automobile manufacturing and Telecommunication services) headquartered in Korea. The results indicate that potential knowledge complementarities between buyer and supplier do not directly influence knowledge exchange, but indirectly through trust in partner's competence. And the results indicate that competence-based trust and IOIS have direct effects on knowledge exchange. Empirical results also show that IOIS moderates the relationship between potential knowledge complementarities and knowledge exchange. This study is a first attempt to empirically verify the theoretical model about potential knowledge complementarities and to investigate the impact of potential knowledge complementarities on interfirm knowledge exchange. From a theoretical perspective, this study not only clarifies the distinction between potential knowledge complementarities and implemented knowledge complementarities, but also develops an instrument to measure the concept of potential knowledge complementarities in the context of operational and planning knowledge in a supply chain. Further, we develop a theoretical framework suggesting that potential knowledge complementarities of partners in a supply chain affect knowledge exchange directly and indirectly through competence-based trust. The findings from this study have some managerial implications for practicing managers as well. First, buyers should search for suppliers that have potential complementary knowledge, which can be integrated to create synergy through interfirm knowledge exchange. Furthermore, firms must develop mechanisms to identify potential complementary knowledge of partners. Second, firms should continue their endeavor to develop their own unique knowledge so that their knowledge can benefit the entire supply channel. Finally, trust among supply chain partners turns out to be an important factor for interfirm knowledge exchange. Therefore, effective management for engendering trustworthy buyer-supplier relationships should receive appropriate attention from managers.

• Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.61-83
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• 2012

A knowledge map describes the network of related knowledge into the form of a diagram, and therefore underpins the structure of knowledge categorizing and archiving by defining the relationship of the referential navigation between knowledge. The referential navigation between knowledge means the relationship of cross-referencing exhibited when a piece of knowledge is utilized by a user. To understand the contents of the knowledge, a user usually requires additionally information or knowledge related with each other in the relation of cause and effect. This relation can be expanded as the effective connection between knowledge increases, and finally forms the network of knowledge. A network display of knowledge using nodes and links to arrange and to represent the relationship between concepts can provide a more complex knowledge structure than a hierarchical display. Moreover, it can facilitate a user to infer through the links shown on the network. For this reason, building a knowledge map based on the ontology technology has been emphasized to formally as well as objectively describe the knowledge and its relationships. As the necessity to build a knowledge map based on the structure of the ontology has been emphasized, not a few researches have been proposed to fulfill the needs. However, most of those researches to apply the ontology to build the knowledge map just focused on formally expressing knowledge and its relationships with other knowledge to promote the possibility of knowledge reuse. Although many types of knowledge maps based on the structure of the ontology were proposed, no researches have tried to design and implement the referential navigation-enabled knowledge map. This paper addresses a methodology to build the ontology-based knowledge map enabling the referential navigation between knowledge. The ontology-based knowledge map resulted from the proposed methodology can not only express the referential navigation between knowledge but also infer additional relationships among knowledge based on the referential relationships. The most highlighted benefits that can be delivered by applying the ontology technology to the knowledge map include; formal expression about knowledge and its relationships with others, automatic identification of the knowledge network based on the function of self-inference on the referential relationships, and automatic expansion of the knowledge-base designed to categorize and store knowledge according to the network between knowledge. To enable the referential navigation between knowledge included in the knowledge map, and therefore to form the knowledge map in the format of a network, the ontology must describe knowledge according to the relation with the process and task. A process is composed of component tasks, while a task is activated after any required knowledge is inputted. Since the relation of cause and effect between knowledge can be inherently determined by the sequence of tasks, the referential relationship between knowledge can be circuitously implemented if the knowledge is modeled to be one of input or output of each task. To describe the knowledge with respect to related process and task, the Protege-OWL, an editor that enables users to build ontologies for the Semantic Web, is used. An OWL ontology-based knowledge map includes descriptions of classes (process, task, and knowledge), properties (relationships between process and task, task and knowledge), and their instances. Given such an ontology, the OWL formal semantics specifies how to derive its logical consequences, i.e. facts not literally present in the ontology, but entailed by the semantics. Therefore a knowledge network can be automatically formulated based on the defined relationships, and the referential navigation between knowledge is enabled. To verify the validity of the proposed concepts, two real business process-oriented knowledge maps are exemplified: the knowledge map of the process of 'Business Trip Application' and 'Purchase Management'. By applying the 'DL-Query' provided by the Protege-OWL as a plug-in module, the performance of the implemented ontology-based knowledge map has been examined. Two kinds of queries to check whether the knowledge is networked with respect to the referential relations as well as the ontology-based knowledge network can infer further facts that are not literally described were tested. The test results show that not only the referential navigation between knowledge has been correctly realized, but also the additional inference has been accurately performed.