Abstract
This work solves knowledge transfer problems faced by a family owned pharmaceutical distribution company. The main objectives of this project are to improve knowledge transfer efficiency, recover outdated knowledge and improve the company’s operation. As years transpire, explicit knowledge can become obsolete and inaccessible for several reasons, i.e. staff’s retirement or upgrades in the software being used. In the company’s case, explicit knowledge was not identified and was saved in different software versions and hardware, leading to delays and rework attributed to knowledge’s inaccessibility. A software strategy was proposed and implemented to solve this problematic. Favorable results were achieved. Knowledge transfer between departments was improved, knowledge from older versions or software were recovered, knowledge was centralized and a middleware was successfully implemented in one of the departments. Company personnel can locate, access and implement knowledge and the company’s operations has improved.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bagnoli, C., Vedovato, M.: The impact of knowledge management and strategy configuration coherence on SME performance. J. Manag. Governance 18(2), 615–647 (2012)
Burmeister, A., Deller, J.: A practical perspective on repatriate knowledge transfer. J. Glob. Mobility. 4(1), 68–87 (2016) . http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JGM-09-2015-0041
Jones, P.M., Ph, D.: Collaborative knowledge management, social networks, and organizational learning. Syst. Soc. Internationalization Des. Aspects Hum. Comput. Interact. 2, 306–309 (2001)
Criscuolo, P., Salter, A., Sheehan, T.: Making knowledge visible: using expert yellow pages to map capabilities in professional services firms. Res. Policy 36(10), 1603–1619 (2007)
Wiig, K.M.: People Focus Knowledge Management. How effective Decision Making Leads to Corporate Success, 2004 edn. Elsevier (2004)
Alavi, M., Leidner, D.: Review knowledge management and knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research issues. MIS Q. 25(1), 107–136 (2001)
Dalkir, K.: Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice. [en línea]. Taylor & Francis (2011)
Dehghani, R., Ramsin, R.: Methodologies for developing knowledge management systems: an evaluation framework. J. Knowl. Manag. 19(4), 682–710 (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2014-0438
Cricelli, L., Greco, M., Grimaldi, M.: Decision making in choosing information systems: an empirical study in Jordan. VINE 44(2), 162–184 (2014)
Lee, C.H.S., Wong, K.Y.: Development and validation of knowledge management performance measurement constructs for small and medium enterprises. J. Knowl. Manag. 19(4), 711–734 (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2014-0398
McElroy, W.M.: The New Knowledge Management, pp. 1–23. Butterworth-Heinemann (2002)
Probst, G.J.B.: Practical Knowledge Management: A Model That Works. Prism-Cambridge Massachusetts, 17–30 (1998)
Reus, T.H., Lamont, B.T., Ellis, K.M.: A darker side of knowledge transfer following international acquisitions. Strateg. Manag. J. 37, 932–944 (2016). doi:10.1002/smj.2373
Paramkusham, R.B., Gordon, J.: Inhibiting factors for knowledge transfer in info tech projects. J. Glob. Bus. Technol. 9(2), 26–37 (2013)
Jeong, G.-Y., Chae, M.-S., Park, B.I.: Reverse knowledge transfer from subsidiaries to multinational companies: focusing on factors affecting market knowledge transfer. Can. J. Adm. Sci. 32(2) (2016). doi:10.1002/cjas.1366
Sánchez de Gallardo, M., Nava Romero, M., Zulia, E.: Sistemas y barreras de la comunicación en institutos universitarios tecnológicos del municipio Cabimas, Estado Zulia, Venezuela. Enlace: revista Venezolana de Información, Tecnología y Conocimiento. 4(3), 71–92 (2007)
Daghfous, A., Ahmad, N.: User development through proactive knowledge transfer. Ind. Manag. Data Syst. 115(1), 158–181 (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-07-2014-0202
Larkin, R., Burgess, J.: The paradox of employee retention for knowledge transfer. Employ. Relat. Rec. 13(2), 32–44 (2013)
Churchman, W.C.: Managerial acceptance of scientific recommendations. Calif. Manag. Rev. 7(1), 31–38 (1964)
Takeuchi, H., Shibata, T.: Japan Moving Toward a More Advanced knowledge Economy, 2nd edn. The world Bank, Washington, D.C. (2006)
Nonaka, I.: The knowledge-creating company. Harvard Bus. Rev. 69(6), 96–104 (1991)
Hedlund, G.: A model of knowledge management and the N-form corporation. Strateg. Manag. J. 15(S2), 73–90 (1994)
Nelson, R., Winter, S.: An evolutionary theory of economic change. Belknap Press, Cambridge, MA (1982)
Nonaka, I., Takeuchi, H.A.: The knowledge-creating company: how Japanese companies create the dynamics of innovation. Oxford University Press, New York (1995)
Polanyi, M.: The Tacit Dimension. Doubleday, Garden City, NY (1966)
Malhotra, Y.: Deciphering the Knowledge Management Hype. The Journal for Quality & Participation, July/August 1998 (Special issue on Knowledge Management). Published by the Association for Quality & Participation (1998)
Clark, P.A.: Organizations in Action. Competition Between Contexts. Routledge, London (2000)
Wiig, K.M.: Knowledge management: an introduction and perspective. J. Knowl. Manag. 1(1), 6–14 (1997)
Debowski, S.: Learning and Development in a Knowledge Setting, in Knowledge Management. Wiley, Milton (2006)
Sveiby, K.E., Simons, R.: Collaborative climate and effectiveness of knowledge work—an empirical study. J. Knowl. Manag. 6(5), 420–433 (2002)
Davenport, T.H., Prusak, L.: Working Knowledge: How Organizations Manage What They Know. Harvard Business Press, Cambridge, MA (1998)
Liebowitz, J.: Key ingredients to the success of an organization’s knowledge management strategy. Knowl. Process Manag. 1(1), 37–40 (1999)
Massey, A.P., Montoya-Weiss, M.M., O’Driscoll, T.M.: Knowledge management in pursuit of performance: insights from Nortel networks. MIS Q. 26(3), 269–289 (2002)
Nickols, F.: The tacit and explicit nature of knowledge, the knowledge in knowledge management. In: The Knowledge Management Yearbook, 2001, pp. 12–21 (2000)
Martín-de-, G.: BusinessReview exploring knowledge creation and transfer in the firm: context and leadership *. Universia Bus. Rev. 40, 126–137 (2013)
Jasimuddin, S.M., Connell, N., Klein, J.H.: Knowledge transfer frameworks: an extension incorporating knowledge repositories and knowledge administration. Inf. Syst J. 22(3), 195–209 (2012)
Yuan, Y., Lee, J.: Examining the role of knowledge transfer effect as a mediator variable among impact factors in knowledge innovation. Int. J. Bus. Inf. 7(2), 205–225 (2012)
Zapata Cantú, L., Rialp, J., Rialp Criado, C.A.: Generation and transfer of knowledge in IT-related SMEs. J. Knowl. Manag. 13(5), 243–256 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13673270910988088
Krishnaveni, R., Sujatha, R.: Communities of practice: an influencing factor for effective knowledge transfer in organizations. IUP J. Knowl. Manag. 10(1), 26–41 (2012)
Wiig, K.M.: Knowledge Management: an introduction and perspective. J. Knowl. Manag. 1(1), 6–14 (1997)
Wilkesmann, U., Fischer, H., Wilkesmann, M.: Cultural characteristics of knowledge transfer. J. Knowl. Manag. 13(6), 464–477 (2009)
Szulanski, G.: The process of knowledge transfer: a diachronic analysis of stickiness. 82(1), 9–27 (2000)
Hansen, J.K.: How Knowledge is Transferred within the Danish Fashion Industry -Taking a Knowledge Management Perspective on the Creative Design Process. Master Thesis, Copenhagen Business School (2009)
Tasselli, S.: 2015. Social Networkd and Interprofessional Knowledge Transfer: The Case of Healthcare Professionals, Organization Studies 36(7), 841–872 (2015)
Sainio, H.: A dynamic Model for knowledge transfer and alliance learning in cross-border strategic alliances of software companies. December (2007)
Mougin, J., Boujut, J.-F., Pourroy, F., Poussier, G.: Modelling knowledge transfer: a knowledge dynamics perspective. Concurrent Eng. 23(4), 308–319 (2015)
Rahman, R.A.: Knowledge sharing practices: a case study at Malaysia’s Healthcare Research Institutes. Asia-Pacific Conference Library & Information Education & Practice, pp. 356–367 (2011)
Ritika, E.: Key enablers in the implementation of KM practices: an empirical study of software SMEs in North India 59–86 (2012)
Smith, A.D.: Knowledge management strategies: a multi-case study. J. Knowl. Manag. 8(3), 6–16 (2004)
Argote, L., Ingram, P., Levine, J.M., et al.: Knowledge transfer in organizations: learning from the experience of others. 82(1), 1–8 (2000)
Handzic, M., Lagumdzija, A., Celjo, A.: Auditing knowledge management practices: model and application. Knowl. Manag. Res. Pract. 6(1), 90–99 (2008)
Mearns, M.: Knowing what knowledge to share: collaboration for community, research and wildlife. Expert Syst. Appl. 39(10), 9892–9898 (2012)
Yuan, M.: An Integrated Knowledge Management Framework for Managing Sustainability Knowledge in The Australian Infrastructure Sector. Queensland University of Technology (2011)
Tsui, E.: The role of IT in KM: where are we now and where are we heading? J. Knowl. Manag. 9(1), 3–6 (2005)
Majors, I., (2010). ICT and knowledge management models for promotion of SME’s competitiveness. 6(3)
Rodriguez-Enriquez, C.A., Alor-Hernandez, G., Mejia-Miranda, J., et al.: Supply chain knowledge management supported by a simple knowledge organization system 19, 1–18 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2016.06.004
Zhang, W., Levenson, A., Crossley, C.: Move your research from the ivy tower to the board room. A primer on action research for academics, consultants, and business executives. Hum. Resour. Manag. 54(1), 151–174 (2015)
Neves, S.M., da Silva, C.E.S., Salomon, V.A.P., et al.: Risk management in software projects through knowledge management techniques: cases in Brazilian incubated technology-based firms. Int. J. Project Manag. 32(1), 125–138 (2013)
Nesheim, T., Gressgård, L.J.: Knowledge sharing in a complex organization: antecedents and safety effects. Saf. Sci. 62, 28–36 (2014)
Sun, L.: Core competences, supply chain partners’ knowledge-sharing, and innovation: an empirical study of the manufacturing industry in Taiwan. Int. J. Bus. Inf. 8(2), 27 (2013)
Ruzo Sanmartín, E., Díez de Castro, J.A., Gómez Barreiro, M.: El ciclo evolutivo de la empresa familiar y las estrategias empresariales: estudio empírico de la empresa familiar gallega, pp. 484–497 (2003)
Cho, N., zheng Li, G., Su, C.: An empirical study on the effect of individual factors on knowledge sharing by knowledge type. J. Glob. Bus. Technol. 3(2), 1–16 (2007)
Beydoun G., Low, G., Garcia-Sanchez, F., et al.: Identification of ontologies to support information systems development 46, 45–60 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.is.2014.05.002
Barcelo-Valenzuela, M., Carrillo Villafaña, P.S., Perez-Soltero, A., et al.: A framework to acquire explicit knowledge stored on different versions of software. Inf. Softw. Technol. 70, 40–48 (2016)
Lopez-Lorca, A.A., Beydoun, G., Valencia-Garcia, R., et al.: Supporting agent oriented requirement analysis with ontologies 87, 20–37 (2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2015.10.007
Alor-Hernandez, G., Sanchez-Ramirez, C., Cortes-Robles, G., et al.: BROSEMWEB: a brokerage service for e-procurement using semantic web technologies 65, 828–840 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2013.12.007
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Barcelo-Valenzuela, M., Carrillo-Villafaña, P.S., Perez-Soltero, A., Sanchez-Schmitz, G. (2017). A Software Strategy for Knowledge Transfer in a Pharmaceutical Distribution Company. In: Alor-Hernández, G., Valencia-García, R. (eds) Current Trends on Knowledge-Based Systems. Intelligent Systems Reference Library, vol 120. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51905-0_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51905-0_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51904-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51905-0
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)