Role of Epistemological Assumptions in Knowledge Transfer Process
Özdemir, Arda (2013)
Kuvaus
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Tiivistelmä
Knowledge has been identified as the primary resource which plays a key role in the success of any company. The age of knowledge and the knowledge worker has been heralded by business scholars and economists alike. Thus it comes as no surprise when knowledge is one of the most prominent and intensively studied topics in business research today.
Knowledge transfer research aims to explore, identify and analyze key variables involved in the process of communicating knowledge between two parties within a business setting. The research field is rife with variables that have been identified or suggested to influence the success of a knowledge transfer. Notwithstanding the highly philosophical disposition of the topic, extant research in the knowledge transfer field appears to shy away from addressing these philosophical underpinnings in a straight forward manner.
This study aims to overcome this aversion by studying philosophical assumptions held by parties in a knowledge transfer effort. In doing so it addresses three questions. Firstly, in order to determine the nature of formulation of rationality and justification in organizations the study asks how firms justify their knowledge claims. Secondly, through a historical review of philosophical and business studies, this paper aims to explore the spectrum of epistemological assumptions displayed within organizations. Finally, by utilizing the findings of preceding questions, third question’s objective is to observe what might be manifestations of these philosophical assumptions and beliefs in knowledge transfer process.
To this end, the study analyzes three distinct departments under a MNC in terms of their interactions both within and outside their boundaries. It utilizes a case study method with pattern matching analysis and qualitative data which has been gathered through semi-structured interviews.
The study has identified discernible deviations in beliefs on knowledge throughout different departments. These differences appears to draw positive correlations with the background of the individuals and structural constitutions of their departments. Finally, study also suggests that these differences possess a direct effect on context building which in turn plays a vital role in knowledge transfer process.
Knowledge transfer research aims to explore, identify and analyze key variables involved in the process of communicating knowledge between two parties within a business setting. The research field is rife with variables that have been identified or suggested to influence the success of a knowledge transfer. Notwithstanding the highly philosophical disposition of the topic, extant research in the knowledge transfer field appears to shy away from addressing these philosophical underpinnings in a straight forward manner.
This study aims to overcome this aversion by studying philosophical assumptions held by parties in a knowledge transfer effort. In doing so it addresses three questions. Firstly, in order to determine the nature of formulation of rationality and justification in organizations the study asks how firms justify their knowledge claims. Secondly, through a historical review of philosophical and business studies, this paper aims to explore the spectrum of epistemological assumptions displayed within organizations. Finally, by utilizing the findings of preceding questions, third question’s objective is to observe what might be manifestations of these philosophical assumptions and beliefs in knowledge transfer process.
To this end, the study analyzes three distinct departments under a MNC in terms of their interactions both within and outside their boundaries. It utilizes a case study method with pattern matching analysis and qualitative data which has been gathered through semi-structured interviews.
The study has identified discernible deviations in beliefs on knowledge throughout different departments. These differences appears to draw positive correlations with the background of the individuals and structural constitutions of their departments. Finally, study also suggests that these differences possess a direct effect on context building which in turn plays a vital role in knowledge transfer process.