Knowledge Integration - The Practice of Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Enterprises

Preface

Table of Contents

1 Knowledge Management: More than a Buzzword

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The Relevance of Knowledge Management for High- tech Small and Medium Sized Firms

1.3 Knowledge Management – What Is It About?

1.3.1 Knowledge Management versus Competence Management

1.3.2 Approaches to Knowledge Management

1.3.3 Levels of Knowledge Management

1.4 What Aspects Are Related to Knowledge?

1.4.1 Content in Knowledge Identification and Acquisition Processes

1.4.2 Utilization of Knowledge in Contexts

1.4.3 Knowledge Flows

1.4.4 Knowledge Media

1.5 The Knowledge Integration Context

1.6 Outline of this Book

References

2 Knowledge Integration by SMEs – Framework

2.1 Introduction

2.2 High-tech SMEs: Characteristics and Differences

2.3 Types and Sources of Knowledge

2.4 KI Processes and Activities

2.5 KI Problems and Solutions

2.6 Summary and Conclusions

References

3 Knowledge Integration by SMEs - Practice

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Analysing KI in SMEs: Research Framework

3.3 Research Method

3.4 Results

3.4.1 NPD Process

3.4.2 Sources

3.4.3 KI Process

3.4.4 Problems

3.4.5 Solutions

3.4.6 Match

3.5 Differences between SMEs

3.6 Conclusions and Implications

References

Appendix: Questionnaire

4 Organizing the Toolbox - Typology and Alignment of KI Solutions

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Definitions and Principles of the Typology

4.3 Typology of KI Tools and Techniques

4.3.1 Activities for Latent Knowledge

4.3.2 Activities for Explicit Knowledge

4.3.3 Activities for Tacit Knowledge

4.3.4 Motivating Activities

4.4 Knowledge Integration Strategies

4.5 SME Suitability

4.6 Conclusions

References

5 Elicitation – Extracting Knowledge from Experts

5.1 Motivation and Introduction

5.2 A Psychological Perspective on Knowledge Elicitation

5.2.1 Theoretical Background

5.2.2 Relevance for Knowledge Management

5.3 Elicitation in Practice

5.3.1 Identification of Experts

5.3.2 Activation and Capture of Knowledge

5.3.3 Knowledge Interpretation and Documentation

5.4 Implementation Experience

5.4.1 Identification of Experts at CEROBEAR

5.4.2 Activation and Capture: Free Association & Episodic Interviews

5.4.3 Interpretation and Documentation: Building an Ontology

5.5 Discussion and Conclusions

References

6 Codification – Knowledge Maps

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Knowledge Codification and Knowledge Maps

6.3 Types of Knowledge Maps

6.3.1 Hierarchical or Radial Knowledge Structure Maps: Concept Maps and Mind Maps

6.3.2 Networked Knowledge Structure Maps: Causal Maps

6.3.3 Knowledge Source Maps

6.3.4 Knowledge Flow Maps

6.4 Case Study: Knowledge Maps to Improve NPD

6.4.1 Process Assessment

6.4.2 Improved Processes: AIXTRON’s Knowledge Application Map

6.5 Discussion and Conclusion

References

7 Detection – Electronic Knowledge Retrieval

7.1 Introduction

7.2 IR Systems for Knowledge Detection

7.2.1 Traditional IR Search Methods

7.2.2 Information Retrieval and the WWW

7.2.3 New Impulses in IR Systems

7.3 Implementation at a High-tech SME

7.3.1 The High-tech SME: CEROBEAR

7.3.2 Focus: Development of a Customer- Specific Ontology

7.3.3 Results and Evaluation

7.4 Discussion and Conclusion

References

8 Assessment – Making Sense of It All

8.1 Introduction

8.2 What Is Knowledge Assessment?

8.3 Critical Analysis of Assessment Practices

8.3.1 Theoretical Background and Practical Framework

8.3.2 Alignment of Available Practices

8.4 The Decision-Validity-Tracking (DVT) Method

8.5 Lessons Learned from the Implementation at Optibase

8.6 Conclusions

References

9 Transfer - Knowledge Transfer in Networks

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Theory on Knowledge Transfer in NPD Processes

9.2.1 The Character of Knowledge and Networks in Transfer Processes

9.2.3 Some Consequences of Cognitive Distance for Networking of Small Firms

9.3 The WAP Project, an Example of Knowledge Transfer in a Network

9.3.1 Context of the Project

9.3.3 Knowledge Transfer Mechanisms

9.4 Conclusions

References

10 Motivating – Incentive Systems for Knowledge Provision

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Design Areas of Incentive Systems for Knowledge Provision

10.2.1 Definition of Knowledge Goals

10.2.2 Definition of the Application Area

10.2.3 Definition of Incentive Tools

10.2.4 Measurement and Evaluation of Employee Performance

10.3 Implementation of Incentive Systems

10.3.1 Analysis of the Status-quo

10.3.2 Concept Development and Elaboration

10.3.3 System Introduction

10.3.4 System Checking

10.4 Case Study at HEAD Acoustics

10.4.1 HEAD Acoustics and the Focus of the Project

10.4.2 Results

10.5 Summary and Conclusion

References

11 Supporting Knowledge Integration at SMEs – The KINX Portal

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Information Services and Scope of the KINX Portal

11.3 Knowledge Integration Portal Description

11.3.1 The KINX Portal Public Area

11.3.2 The Private Area

11.3.3 The Administration Area

11.4 Portal Development Process

11.5 Conclusions and Discussion

References

12 Supporting Knowledge Integration at SMEs – Policies

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Reasons for Supporting KI in SMEs

12.3 Profiles of KI Support Measures for SMEs

12.4 Usage of Selected KI Support Measures

12.5 The Effectiveness of KI Support Measures

12.6 Summary and Recommendations

References

13 Wrapping It All Up - Past, Present and Future of Knowledge Integration

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Evaluation of KI - What Does It Promise and Does It Keep What It Promises?

13.2.1 The Theoretical Perspective

13.2.2 The Empirical Perspective

13.2.3 The Tools Perspective

13.3 The Further Development of KI Requirements and Opportunities for Improvement

13.3.1 Conceptual Improvements

13.3.2 Instrumental Improvements

13.4 Outlook - The Future of KI

References

Biographical Information about the Authors

List of Authors’ Addresses

Index