Delio Ignacio Castaneda and Paul Toulson
This study aims to determine whether it is possible to use information and communication technology (ICT) tools to share tacit knowledge. Few studies have considered this subject…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine whether it is possible to use information and communication technology (ICT) tools to share tacit knowledge. Few studies have considered this subject, and they have reported both the ineffectiveness and effectiveness of ICT tools for sharing tacit knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the participants comprised 217 knowledge workers from New Zealand and researchers who attended a knowledge management conference in the UK. In all, 59% of the sample was men and 41% women. The research model compared the scores of knowledge workers in two categories of ICT, those that allow dialogue and those that do not, in relation to knowledge sharing in organizations. The instrument used a Likert scale with five levels of response.
Findings
It was found that not all ICT technologies let tacit knowledge to be shared, but those ICT that facilitate dialogue, for example, text messaging and video conferences. Emails did not facilitate the exchange of tacit knowledge.
Research limitations/implications
It is suggested to replicate the study with different countries to evaluate the role of culture in the communication of tacit knowledge.
Practical implications
An implication for practitioners based on this study is that email should not be the preferred mode for transferring knowledge between an organization and their workers. This mode is adequate for the exchange of explicit knowledge, but it has a limited capacity for transferring tacit knowledge. Thus, organizations may increase the use of audio and video tools to transfer electronically tacit knowledge. Interaction or socialization may facilitate the understanding and internalization of tacit knowledge by workers.
Originality/value
This study contributed to understand the reason for contradictory results from previous research. ICT tools are effective to share tacit knowledge when they facilitate dialogue. Results also support practitioners about how to obtain more effective exchange of tacit knowledge in organizations.
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Salman Iqbal, Paul Toulson and David Tweed
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of specific human resource management (HRM) practices on knowledge sharing behaviour among employees of knowledge intensive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of specific human resource management (HRM) practices on knowledge sharing behaviour among employees of knowledge intensive firms (KIFs).
Design/methodology/approach
Based on previous literature, a model is proposed for the study and hypotheses are formulated. The cross-sectional data set comes from a sample of 390 employees of 19 KIFs. Confirmatory factor analyses were employed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement model and the research model was tested using structural equation modelling.
Findings
The results suggest that collaborative HRM practices have a direct positive effect on employees’ knowledge sharing behaviour. Surprisingly, the authors find that employees’ knowledge sharing behaviour is independent of reward systems and employees’ recognition. The authors suggest that organisational learning environments based on collaborative HRM practices can help employees’ knowledge sharing behaviour and improve the capability of both individual and organisational capability.
Research limitations/implications
Knowledge-sharing behaviour is examined using specific HRM practices. Findings should be confirmed using a larger sample, as well as through longitudinal study.
Practical implications
This study will be beneficial for researchers, practitioners, scholars, organisational leaders and employees. It will also be helpful for those interested in organisational structure and relationships across organisations in knowledge context.
Originality/value
This study makes a valuable contribution, given that there is a lack of empirical studies of this nature focusing on the South-East Asian region. The findings are more interesting given that the current study is based on employees’ perceptions.
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Highlights the importance, when undertaking survey work, of being aware of the potential damage to property from encroachment by tree roots. Reviews the general principles and…
Abstract
Highlights the importance, when undertaking survey work, of being aware of the potential damage to property from encroachment by tree roots. Reviews the general principles and legislation, citing specific cases of liability for damage, the question of foreseeability, other contributory factors and remedies.
Shraddha Verma and Philip Dewe
This research aims to explore perceptions and practices in the area of valuing human resources. It focuses on the importance of valuing human resources, current measurement…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to explore perceptions and practices in the area of valuing human resources. It focuses on the importance of valuing human resources, current measurement practices, barriers to measurement and the progress expected in this field.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a survey questionnaire design to identify and describe perceptions and practices in valuing human resources in three types of UK organizations: traditional companies; knowledge intensive companies; and local authorities.
Findings
While the majority of respondents regarded the measurement of human resources as important to their organization, little or moderate progress was expected in measurement practices over the next few years. The main reasons for this included a lack of organizational support, uncertainties as to what should be reported, lack of precision in current measurement practices and sensitivities around what should be reported.
Research limitations/implications
A limitation was in identifying who in the organization should receive such a questionnaire in order to improve the response rate.
Practical implications
Organizations need to be made more aware of the benefits and strategic importance of measuring human resources particularly in an era of resource‐based strategies – competing through people.
Originality/value
The paper highlights that by reporting the data descriptively it can be used as a context for considering what issues need to be resolved and what barriers need to be overcome to take measurement beyond just recognizing its importance.
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Jayesh Pandey, Shubh Majumdarr, Rayees Farooq, Santushti Gupta and Pallav Bose
This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of knowledge sharing during COVID-19 and highlight prominent contributors, diverse trends and themes followed with provisions of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of knowledge sharing during COVID-19 and highlight prominent contributors, diverse trends and themes followed with provisions of future research avenues.
Design/methodology/approach
The study through scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews framework analyses 148 peer-reviewed journal publications and conference proceedings indexed in Scopus and WoS databases from 2020 to 2022. It uses general statistics and diverse bibliometric techniques, including co-occurrence analysis for trend and cluster identification in the literature.
Findings
The findings reveal an exponential annual growth rate of 150% in the domain, highlighting the global research focus. With regards to domain contribution, the Journal of Knowledge Management and China leads with ten publications in their respective categories. The co-occurrence analysis further highlights four diverse clusters in the domain, which are further discussed in detail. The study highlights significant contributions from developed economies, thus providing scope for future research from developing or transitioning economies in the Middle East, Central Asia or Africa. The study concludes by presenting the elementary role of knowledge sharing in response to external crises.
Originality/value
The interest in the knowledge sharing domain has grown exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research is the first bibliometric analysis with comprehensive and rigorous analytic techniques to unearth critical developments and insights for a holistic understanding.
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Deborah Jones, Judith Pringle and Deborah Shepherd
Argues that the discourse of “managing diversity”, emerging from the US management literature, cannot be simply mapped on to organisations in other cultural contexts. It uses the…
Abstract
Argues that the discourse of “managing diversity”, emerging from the US management literature, cannot be simply mapped on to organisations in other cultural contexts. It uses the example of Aotearoa/New Zealand to show that a “diversity” based on the demographics and dominant cultural assumptions of the USA fails to address – and may in fact obscure – key local “diversity” issues. It argues that the dominant discourse of “managing diversity” has embedded in it cultural assumptions that are specific to the US management literature. It calls for a genuinely multi‐voiced “diversity” discourse that would focus attention on the local demographics, cultural and political differences that make the difference for specific organisations.
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Shubham Dixit, Shiwangi Singh, Sanjay Dhir and Swati Dhir
This study aims to identify the antecedents of strategic thinking and its relationship with competitive advantage. Further, this study analyses the mediating effect of strategic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the antecedents of strategic thinking and its relationship with competitive advantage. Further, this study analyses the mediating effect of strategic thinking between its antecedents and competitive advantage.
Design/methodology/approach
A self-reported questionnaire with 51 questions was floated among 220 professionals from various industries in India. The response was analysed using the partial least squares-structural equation modelling methodology using SmartPLS software.
Findings
The direct effect of creativity, corporate culture and knowledge management are established with strategic thinking, as well as a competitive advantage. Also, the study finds a significant relationship between strategic thinking and competitive advantage. The study finds no mediation (direct effect) in the case of creativity, corporate culture and knowledge management. Further, no mediation (no relationship) is found in the case of vision.
Practical implications
Business must start adopting strategic thinking practices in their decision-making process to create a competitive advantage. Further, the influence of corporate culture, creativity and knowledge management on strategic thinking highlights their importance.
Originality/value
The study establishes the impact of antecedents of strategic thinking on competitive advantage. The study highlights the importance of other factors along with strategic thinking for achieving competitive advantage.
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Mahmood Shah, Abdullah Maitlo, Paul Jones and Yahaya Yusuf
Lack of individual awareness of knowledge sharing practices to prevent identity theft is a significant issue for online retail organisations (OROs). Agile learning processes and…
Abstract
Purpose
Lack of individual awareness of knowledge sharing practices to prevent identity theft is a significant issue for online retail organisations (OROs). Agile learning processes and sharing of knowledge is essential, but the lack of relevant training inhibits these processes within the online industry. This study aims to identify the inhibiting factors in agile learning and knowledge sharing process with recommendations for best practice for organisations and staff to effectively share knowledge on identity theft prevention.
Design/methodology/approach
Three qualitative case studies were undertaken in OROs in the UK. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, internal documents and related external material. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis method.
Findings
The findings identified that individual staff members within OROs from the information security and fraud prevention departments often share their knowledge as a community. However, there is no formal knowledge sharing process or any related training facilitating this exchange. There is a need for agile learning environment in OROs of the UK.
Originality/value
The study offers both theoretical and practical contributions to the extant literature of agile learning of knowledge sharing to prevent identity theft in OROs. Existing learning opportunities are not being used to enhance the knowledge of individuals, and OROs need to increase the skills and trust of their staff to share knowledge efficiently. This study identifies the systemic weaknesses inherent in the process of knowledge sharing and existing training provision within OROs. It provides ORO managers with practical guidelines in facilitating trust between individuals and developing appropriate training systems to educate staff on sharing organisational knowledge. This study contributes by extending the knowledge sharing framework proposed by Chong et al. (2011) for enhanced individual knowledge sharing processes to prevent identity theft within OROs. It also identifies OROs’ weaknesses in knowledge sharing learning processes for theft prevention and offers prevention guidelines and recommendations for developing effective agile learning environments.
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Isabel Cristina Martins Antunes, Hortênsia Gouveia Barandas and Francisco Vitorino Martins
The purpose of this paper is to examine how headquarters’ managers perceive – cultural, administrative, geographic and economic (CAGE) – distance between countries and its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how headquarters’ managers perceive – cultural, administrative, geographic and economic (CAGE) – distance between countries and its influence on the strategy of international subsidiaries.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies the transaction cost and behavioural theory and presents an exploratory and qualitative methodology approach through six semi-structured in-depth interviews to evaluate managers’ perceptions of distance between countries.
Findings
The research findings show that cultural and economic distances indeed have a major influence on subsidiary strategy and a smaller impact of administrative and geographic dimensions, which results into forced changes on the marketing-mix, i.e. product, price, design and brand, as well as on the level of autonomy granted to foreign subsidiaries.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation is related to the home country and the entry mode of foreign direct investment. The findings presented here reflect the nature and behaviour of Portuguese companies with subsidiaries.
Practical implications
The research provides recommendations for managers to be aware of the influence of more than one dimension of distance between countries to improve their decision-making of standardisation-adaptation strategy for foreign subsidiaries. Furthermore, the study stresses that managers’ perceptions may lead to the conclusion that proximity and knowledge of foreign markets does not make international business easier.
Originality/value
This empirical research not only tests the transaction cost theory and behavioural theory on managers’ decisions to invest abroad but also promotes organisational changes to achieve the suitable strategy for international subsidiaries. The study contributes to the area of international business by positing six research propositions concerning distance between countries to be tested in future studies.
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Naiara Escribá-Carda, Lorenzo Revuelto-Taboada, Maria Teresa Canet-Giner and Francisco Balbastre-Benavent
This work aims to analyze the effect of employees' perceptions of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on intrapreneurial behavior (IPB), and the potential role of knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This work aims to analyze the effect of employees' perceptions of high-performance work systems (HPWS) on intrapreneurial behavior (IPB), and the potential role of knowledge sharing as a mediating variable in this relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Hypothesis testing was performed using a structural equation model (SEM) based on a PLS-SEM approach applied to a sample of 297 knowledge-intensive employees from six industrial companies of the Valencian region (Spain).
Findings
Results confirmed that the relationship between employees' perceptions of HPWS and IPB does not take place directly. Alternatively, this relationship occurs through knowledge sharing of employees.
Originality/value
This study makes theoretical and empirical contributions to better understand the impact of employee's perceptions of HPWS on IPB mediated by knowledge sharing. This work theorized and tested a model where the concept of IPB gains special relevance at academic and practical levels due to its implications for HRM.