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1 – 10 of 101Maryam Dehghani and Peyman Akhavan
Knowledge is a key driver for the competitive success of organizations, but about 90 percent of organizational knowledge is inside employees’ minds with personal essence;…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge is a key driver for the competitive success of organizations, but about 90 percent of organizational knowledge is inside employees’ minds with personal essence; therefore, this paper provides valuable vision for managers by exploring knowledge acquisition (KA) techniques and personality type. The purpose of this paper is to examine KA techniques and explore the impact of personality type on the KA process in the aerospace industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines KA techniques through an empirical study involving 83 participants to take part in KA sessions. For exploring techniques, a questionnaire was used, and also the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was used to identify participants’ personality type. The impact of personality type on KA processes was determined by correlation analysis.
Findings
Analyses confirmed some association between the type of personality and KA process. In addition, the findings of exploring questionnaire items showed that participants gave the laddering technique the highest rating.
Originality/value
The paper may be of high value to researchers in the field of KA, especially in aerospace industries, because there is very little experimental investigation of KA, and it also provides valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help researchers to select appropriate KA techniques.
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Mostafa Jafari, Jalal Rezaeenour, Peyman Akhavan and Mehdi N. Fesharaki
The objective of this paper is to develop a model for planning and establishment of knowledge management (KM) strategy in one of the Iranian Sub‐stream Aerospace Industries…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to develop a model for planning and establishment of knowledge management (KM) strategy in one of the Iranian Sub‐stream Aerospace Industries Organization to improve company's performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research tries to use multi‐method approach by integrating balanced score card, which is a renowned strategic management approach, and Nonaka and colleagues' knowledge creation process (socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization model), which is a well‐known knowledge creation and conversion model, being adopted as the foundations of strategic knowledge management model (SKMM).
Findings
The analytical approach identifies eight issues as critical success factors of the knowledge strategy map in this case study. The overall results from the case study are positive as well, thus reflecting the appropriateness of the suggested SKMM model.
Research limitations/implications
SKMM can be used to help forward the plan, establishment and evaluation of KM strategies and initiatives. This helps to ensure that the essential issues are covered during design and implementation phases of KM strategies.
Originality/value
This paper further provides an integrated perspective of KM metrics in high‐tech industries including the aerospace industry. It gives valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help leaders to consider important issues during performance measurement of KM strategies in organizations.
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Peyman Akhavan, Mohamad Ebrahim Sanjaghi, Jalal Rezaeenour and Hamed Ojaghi
The main aim of this paper is to study the effects of organizational culture on environmental responsiveness capability (ERC), both directly and through the mediation of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
The main aim of this paper is to study the effects of organizational culture on environmental responsiveness capability (ERC), both directly and through the mediation of knowledge management (KM) in selected Iranian Industrial Research Organizations (IIRO). Furthermore, the effects of four types of organizational culture on ERC and KM in the target population are compared.
Design/methodology/approach
Relationships between the ERC, KM and organizational culture are considered using survey data through the structural equation modelling approach. Five-point Likert questionnaire has been used as a tool for measuring variables. The authors sample includes 276 members of 13 selected target organizations whose names are not mentioned due to prior agreement.
Findings
Results show that organizational culture has a positive and significant relationship with ERC, both directly and indirectly through the mediation of KM. Additionally, compared with other types of organizational cultures, innovativeness culture has the highest correlation with ERC, both directly and through KM as a mediating variable. Furthermore, cooperativeness culture has a direct significant relationship with ERC, whereas consistency and effectiveness cultures indirectly have significant and positive relationships with ERC through KM. Therefore, results of this research provide appropriate evidence that ERC can be affected directly by innovativeness culture and KM.
Originality/value
The advantage of this paper compared to other related research is to study on ERC based on cultural and knowledge-related variables. Hence, it can extend the literature of ERC, and it can be useful for the managers who are dealing with industrial research company.
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Peyman Akhavan, Behin Elahi and Mostafa Jafari
This paper aims to empirically explore the effects of intellectual capital (IC) on supplier selection (SS) and, consequently, investigates the consecutive impacts on an Asian…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to empirically explore the effects of intellectual capital (IC) on supplier selection (SS) and, consequently, investigates the consecutive impacts on an Asian automotive supply chain performance (SCP).
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire-oriented survey obtained from top managers and expert employees from three different Asian automotive industries, all of which exist in the same supply chain, was utilized for factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
The findings indicate that some dimensions of IC containing human capital, relational capital and structural capital sufficiently influence evaluation and selection of optimal suppliers which lead to more efficient performance of the supply chain.
Research limitations/implications
First, as the research analyzes the findings extracted from three important Asian automotive companies which exist in the same supply chain, the results may not be applicable to other industries in different countries. Second, gathering data from other elements of the supply chain like wholesalers and retailers could enrich the research conducted. Besides, more advanced statistical methods could be utilized to evaluate the regression equations and SEM.
Practical implications
With a comprehensive view on IC that takes into account its creation, protection and utilization, IC plays an essential role in selecting and assessing optimal suppliers which enhance competitive advantage, especially in knowledge-based organizations. IC will also increase the SCP efficiently and effectively.
Originality/value
This study develops an integrated knowledge model for a SS issue based on IC, and focuses on the effects of its various elements. It offers assistance to managers who tend to select optimal suppliers effectively.
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Peyman Akhavan and Amir Pezeshkan
The goal of this paper is to present the main critical failure factors extracted from analyzing ten case studies of failure in knowledge management (KM) systems and projects and…
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this paper is to present the main critical failure factors extracted from analyzing ten case studies of failure in knowledge management (KM) systems and projects and present a framework in which the failure factors are linked to the different stages in the cycle of KM implementation.
Design/methodology/approach
“Grounded theory” as a qualitative research technique has been applied to explore the main failure factors. Data was collected reviewing scholarly articles containing KM case studies (failure in KM implementation) and after an in-depth study – applying grounded theory method – the results of main critical failure factors categorized and analyzed in specific stages of implementing KM systems.
Findings
Through review and analysis of ten case studies, two main results were obtained. First, the main critical failure factors of KM projects were identified. Second, identified critical failure factors were traced along the KM implementation cycle. A framework is proposed that shows the critical failure factors' effect in each specific stage of the KM cycle.
Research limitations/implications
The results of this research are generalized based on cases from prior literature. However, the authors have tried to be as inclusive as possible to ensure a representative sample of reported KM failures. In addition, organizations do not provide accurate reports of failure in their projects because of their policies, the image of their organization, and privacy, which could affect the identification of all failure factors.
Practical implications
The findings are incorporated into a framework of failure factors in KM projects and the proposed framework can help practitioners in organizations to avoid factors that lead to the demise of KM systems in each stage of the KM project development cycle. This multi-case study research and its suggested framework are also useful for academics to gain a comprehensive view of KM critical failure factors for future studies.
Originality/value
To the authors' knowledge this study is the first of its kind to provide an integrated perspective of critical failure factors for the implementation of KM through the inspection of ten case studies and maps the failure factors on KM implementation cycle. It provides valuable information and guidelines that will hopefully pave the way for managers to avoid failure in implementation of a KM.
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S. Noori, M. Jafari, M. Fathian, M. Ebrahimi and M. Fesharaki
The growing complexity and pace of industrial technological changes are forcing firms to forge new alliances and to respond more efficiently to the market changes. This process is…
Abstract
Purpose
The growing complexity and pace of industrial technological changes are forcing firms to forge new alliances and to respond more efficiently to the market changes. This process is leading some companies toward more strategic joint integration with others. The development of new engineering‐based products is one of the key factors in both corporate and national success. The importance of the new product development process to corporate success is now firmly recognized. It is reflected in continuing interest so as to how this process might be most effectively and efficiently “managed.” This paper aims to investigate this issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology of research is soft system methodology (SSM) and statistical. This paper, first, reviews the role of innovation, relationship between time/cost of production, effective factors of product efficiency. Then, using SSM, the authors introduces an integrated network model innovation based on internal and external organizational elements when it applies to the research and development complex environment of engineering‐based new product development programs.
Findings
While previous attempts in modelizing the process of innovation was not adequate in view of the increasing complexity, changing conditions are now influencing the innovation process.
Originality/value
The paper discusses the evolution, changing perceptions and changing practices of what constitutes the dominant model of best practice in the innovation process.
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Peyman Akhavan, Ali Shahabipour and Reza Hosnavi
Expert systems have come to the forefront in the modeling of problems. One of the major problems facing the expert system designers is to develop an accurate knowledge base and a…
Abstract
Purpose
Expert systems have come to the forefront in the modeling of problems. One of the major problems facing the expert system designers is to develop an accurate knowledge base and a meaningful model of uncertainty associated with complex models. Decision-making is based on knowledge, and decision system support needs a knowledge base as well. An adequate knowledge acquisition (KA) process leads to accurate knowledge and improves the decision-making process. To manage the risk of a medical service (twin pregnancy in this case) a knowledge management system was created. The captured knowledge may be associated with an uncertainty. This study aims to introduce a method for evaluating the reliability of a tacit KA model. It assisted engineering managers in assessing and prioritizing risks. The study tried to use this method in risk management and new case in the health domain.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, relevant variables were identified in the knowledge management literature reviews and the domain of expertise management. They are validated by a group of domain experts. Kendall’s W indicator was used to assess the degree of consensus. On the basis of combined cognitive maps, a cognitive network was constructed. Using Bayesian belief networks and fuzzy cognitive maps, an uncertainty assessment method of tacit KA was introduced. To help managers focus on major variables, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. Reliability of model was calculated for optimistic and pessimistic values. The applicability and efficacy of the proposed method were verified and validated with data from a medical university.
Findings
Results show that tacit KA uncertainty can be defined by independent variables, including environmental factors, personality and acquisition process factors. The reliability value shows the accuracy of the captured knowledge and the effectiveness of the acquisition process. The proposed uncertainty assessment method provides the reliability value of the acquisition model for knowledge engineers, so it can be used to implement the project and prevent failures in vital factors through necessary actions. If there is not a satisficed level of reliability, the KA project reliability can be improved by risk factors. The sensitivity analysis can help to select proper factors based on the resources. This approach mitigated some of the disadvantages of other risk evaluation methods.
Originality/value
The contribution of this study is to combine the uncertainty assessment with tacit KA based on fuzzy cognitive maps and the Bayesian belief networks approach. This approach used the capabilities of both narrative and computational approaches.
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Peyman Akhavan, Akbar Rahimi and Gholamhossein Mehralian
Knowledge sharing (KS) of employees has numerous benefits for organizations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a model for KS in research centers (RCs) that can…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge sharing (KS) of employees has numerous benefits for organizations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a model for KS in research centers (RCs) that can facilitate the employee's knowledge sharing behavior (KSB).
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the extensive literature review, a valid instrument was adopted to collect the required data set on KS, KSB and intention to KS, and finally 317 complete questionnaires were collected from Iranian research centers. The structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the measurement model and to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
The findings show that intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors and intention to methods of KS play an important role in KSB. In other words, simultaneous supply of motivational factors and KS methods interesting for employees lead to their KSB. The SEM confirmed the research model and showed a good fit of it.
Practical implications
The implication emanating from this study is that the employees' KSB in RCs as a significant part depends on simultaneous supplying of motivational factors (especially intrinsic motivational factors) and methods of KS that are interesting for employees.
Originality/value
What distinguishes this study from other studies in KS domain could be implied in two subjects. First, the presented model is simple and prepared of the introduced factors, which will lead to KSB. Second, this study was conducted in diverse research fields such as electrical and electronics, telecommunications, materials, chemistry, biotechnology, information technology, management and industrial engineering, computer network security, mechanical and manufacturing. The research model was derived from the collected data of these areas that is unique in this domain.
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E. Teimoury, M. Fesharaki and A. Bazyar
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of governance modes (trust and unilateral control) on new product development (NPD) performance and the mediating role of tie…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of governance modes (trust and unilateral control) on new product development (NPD) performance and the mediating role of tie strength.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey research was conducted to collect data from 112 NPD relationships and structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results suggest that the trust and tie strength are positively related, while unilateral control and tie strength are negatively related. On the other hand, tie strength is positively related to NPD performance. Results also show that the impact of trust and unilateral control on NPD performance are mediated by the tie strength.
Originality/value
This study enhances the understanding of NPD relationships by examining the key modes of governance through which tie strength and NPD performance are influenced.
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Peyman Akhavan, Majid Ramezan, Jafar Yazdi Moghaddam and Gholamhossein Mehralian
– This research proposes to investigate the relationship between ethics, knowledge creation and organizational performance.
Abstract
Purpose
This research proposes to investigate the relationship between ethics, knowledge creation and organizational performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to run this study, as suggested by the experts, Nonaka and Takeuchi model was selected for knowledge creation process and Yokel model was used for organizational performance. In addition, Akhavan et al.'s research was applied for organizational ethics dimensions. A conceptual model was designed based on literature review, and in order to analyze it, employees of a knowledge-based organization were asked to answer the questions of a valid questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used for studying the relationships between research variables.
Findings
Research results imply that there is a positive and strong correlation between ethics and organizational performance. The relationship between ethics and knowledge creation processes is also positive and significant but no significant relationship is observed between knowledge creation processes and organizational performance.
Research limitations/implications
The main limitation of this research is little research and literature about ethical issues in the knowledge management area.
Originality/value
Although numerous studies have been conducted with regard to organizational performance and knowledge creation, the literature is severely deficient considering observance of ethics in all dimensions of organizational performance and knowledge creation process, and in terms of analysis of their mutual interactions and relationships.
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