Effective Knowledge Integration in Emergency Response Organizations

Natural and man-made disasters have gained attention at all levels of policy-making in recent years. Emergency management tasks are inherently complex and unpredictable, and often require coordination among multiple organizations across different levels and locations. Effectively managing various knowledge areas and the organizations involved has become a critical emergency management success factor. However, there is a general lack of understanding about how to describe and assess the complex nature of emergency management tasks and how knowledge integration can help managers improve emergency management task performance. The purpose of this exploratory research was first, to understand how emergency management operations are impacted by tasks that are complex and inter-organizational and second, to investigate how knowledge integration as a particular knowledge management strategy can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the emergency tasks. Three types of specific knowledge were considered: context-specific, technology-specific, and context-and-technology-specific. The research setting was the Miami-Dade Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the study was based on the survey responses from the participants in past EOC activations related to their emergency tasks and knowledge areas. The data included task attributes related to complexity, knowledge area, knowledge integration, specificity of knowledge, and task performance. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regressions and path analyses, to (1) examine the relationships between task complexity, knowledge integration, and performance, (2) the moderating effects of each type of specific knowledge on the relationship between task complexity and performance, and (3) the mediating role of knowledge integration. As per theory-based propositions, the results indicated that overall component complexity and interactive complexity tend to have a negative effect on task performance. But surprisingly, procedural rigidity tended to have a positive effect on performance in emergency management tasks. Also as per our expectation, knowledge integration had a positive relationship with task performance. Interestingly, the moderating effects of each type of specific knowledge on the relationship between task complexity and performance were varied and the extent of mediation of knowledge integration depended on the dimension of task complexity.

Towards a knowledge-based approach for effective decision-making in railway safety

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute towards understanding how safety knowledge can be elicited from railway experts for the purposes of supporting effective decision-making. Design/methodology/approach – A consortium of safety experts from across the British railway industry is formed. Collaborative modelling of the knowledge domain is used as an approach to the elicitation of safety knowledge from experts. From this, a series of knowledge models is derived to inform decision-making. This is achieved by using Bayesian networks as a knowledge modelling scheme, underpinning a Safety Prognosis tool to serve meaningful prognostics information and visualise such information to predict safety violations. Findings – Collaborative modelling of safety-critical knowledge is a valid approach to knowledge elicitation and its sharing across the railway industry. This approach overcomes some of the key limitations of existing approaches to knowledge elicitation. Such models become an effective tool for prediction of safety cases by using railway data. This is demonstrated using passenger–train interaction safety data. Practical implications – This study contributes to practice in two main directions: by documenting an effective approach to knowledge elicitation and knowledge sharing, while also helping the transport industry to understand safety. Social implications – By supporting the railway industry in their efforts to understand safety, this research has the potential to benefit railway passengers, staff and communities in general, which is a priority for the transport sector. Originality/value – This research applies a knowledge elicitation approach to understanding safety based on collaborative modelling, which is a novel approach in the context of transport.

A MODEL FOR EVALUATING IMPACT OF BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Business Process Management (BPM) is able to organize and frame a company focusing in the improvement or assurance of performance in order to gain competitive advantage. Although it is believed that BPM improves various aspects of organizational performance, there has been a lack of empirical evidence about this. The present study has the purpose to develop a model to show the impact of business process management in organizational performance. To accomplish that, the theoretical basis required to know the elements that configurate BPM and the measures that can evaluate the BPM success on organizational performance is built through a systematic literature review (SLR). Then, a research model is proposed according to SLR results. Empirical data will be collected from a survey of  larg and mid-sized industrial and service companies headquartered in Brazil. A quantitative analysis will be performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to show if the direct effects among BPM and organizational performance can be considered statistically significant. At the end will discuss these results and their managerial and cientific implications.Keywords: Business process management (BPM). Organizational performance. Firm performance. Business models. Structural Equation Modeling. Systematic Literature Review.

Inteligência coopetitiva setorial: uma proposta de modelo

The business environment context points at the necessity of new forms of management for the sustainable competitiveness of organizations through time. Coopetition is characterized as an alternative in the interaction of different actors, which compete and cooperate simultaneously, in the pursuit of common goals. This dual relation, within a gain-increasing perspective, converts competitors into partners and fosters competitiveness, especially that of organizations within a specific sector. The field of competitive intelligence has, in its turn, assisted organizations, individually, in the systematization of information valuable to decision-making processes, which benefits competitiveness. It follows that it is possible to combine coopetition and competitive intelligence in a systematized process of sectorial intelligence for coopetitive relations. The general aim of this study is, therefore, to put forth a model of sectorial coopetitive intelligence. The methodological outlining of the study is characterized as a mixed approach (quantitative and qualitative methods), of an applied nature, of exploratory and descriptive aims. The Coordination of the Strategic Roadmapping Project for the Future of Paraná's Industry is the selected object of investigation. Protocols have been designed to collect primary and secondary data. In the collection of the primary ata, online questionary were sent to the sectors selected for examination. A total of 149 answers to the online questionary were obtained, and interviews were performed with all embers of the technical team of the Coordination, in a total of five interviewees. After the collection, all the data were tabulated, analyzed and validated by means of focal groups with the same five members of the Coordination technical team, and interviews were performed with a representative of each of the four sectors selected, in a total of nine participants in the validation. The results allowed the systematization of a sectorial coopetitive intelligence model called ICoops. This model is characterized by five stages, namely, planning, collection, nalysis, project development, dissemination and evaluation. Each stage is detailed in inputs, activities and outputs. The results suggest that sectorial coopetition is motivated mainly by knowledge sharing, technological development, investment in R&D, innovation, chain integration and resource complementation. The importance of a neutral institution has been recognized as a facilitator and incentive to the approximation of organizations. Among the main difficulties are the financing of the projects, the adhesion of new members, the lack of tools for the analysis of information and the dissemination of the actions.

Análisis del énfasis en la innovación en la implantación del "Middle-Up-Down Management Model": Un estudio evolutivo en las empresas manufactureras del País Vasco. Aspectos metodológicos y empíricos

Nos encontramos en un momento en el que la competitividad empresarial está fundamentada en el desarrollo de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC), la innovación y las personas. Concretamente, en el País Vasco, que cuenta con un importante número de empresas manufactureras, la globalización, los procesos de deslocalización y de cambio organizacional han forzado aprestar una atención especialmente estratégica al desarrollo de la innovación y de la gestión del conocimiento como fundamentos para el incremento de su capacidad competitiva. El estudio que aquí presentamos analiza, desde un punto de vista evolutivo, la influencia que ejerce el énfasis realizado por las empresas manufactureras vascas en la innovación y en la implantación de sistemas de gestión que favorezcan la generación de nuevo conocimiento. Sistemas de gestión que deberán estar acordes con las propuestas de Nonaka y Takeuchi (1995); Nonaka et al. (2003) y sintetizadas en el llamado Middle-up-down Management Model. Para este análisis, hemos partido de una importante investigación realizada por las doctoras Aramburu, Sáenz1 y Rivera, de la Universidad de Deusto, de San Sebastián, sobre la Medición de la capacidad de aprendizaje organizativo y valoración de su incidencia en los resultados económico-financieros en las empresas manufactureras del País Vasco (2005).

Tacit knowledge sharing: the determination of a methodological approach to explore the intangible.

Introduction. Research design should take into account both (a) the specific nature of the object under scrutiny, and (b) approaches to its study in the past. This is to ensure that informed decisions are made regarding research design in future empirical studies. Here these factors are taken into account with reference to methodological choice for a doctoral study on tacit knowledge sharing, and the extent to tacit knowledge sharing may be facilitated by online tools. The larger study responds to calls for the two domains of knowledge management and human information behaviour to be considered together in terms of their research approaches and theory development. Method. Relevant literature – both domain-specific (knowledge management) and general (research methods in social science) - was identified and analysed to identify the most appropriate approaches for an empirical study of tacit knowledge sharing. Analysis. The analysis shows that there are a number of challenges associated with studying an intangible entity such as tacit knowledge. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods have been adopted in prior work on this theme, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Results. The analysis has informed a decision to adopt a research approach that deploys mixed methods for an inductive case study to extend knowledge of the influence of online tools on tacit knowledge sharing. Conclusion. This work intends to open the debate on methodological choice and routes to implementation for studies that are subject to practical constraints imposed by the context in which they are situated.

Propuesta metodológica para la renovación de los sistemas y procesos de administración de los mercados eléctricos: el caso colombiano

El mercado eléctrico ha evolucionado en Colombia desde 1995, fortaleciéndose institucionalmente, dinamizando su desarrollo, y enfrentando grandes desafíos. Los sistemas de administración, que soportan el funcionamiento del mercado, han evolucionado a la par, aunque algunos se encuentran aislados entre sí o han sido desarrollados en plataformas diferentes, lo que dificulta la sostenibilidad y el mantenimiento, y reducen la facilidad de incorporar cambios. Al referenciarse con otros mercados en el mundo, se observa gran dinámica en la incorporación de tecnologías en información y comunicaciones, avances regulatorios o requerimientos de clientes. Se requiere una renovación tecnológica que conserve el conocimiento adquirido, y permita incorporar fácilmente las tendencias del mercado. Este artículo presenta los resultados de la propuesta metodológica para la renovación tecnológica enmarcada en el proyecto Colciencias CNBT 833559938649 de investigación tecnológica, Sistema para la administración del mercado de energía eléctrica en Colombia, Fase I.

Internetbasierte Wissensorganisation in der Lehrerbildung

In diesem Artikel geht es um die internetbasierte Wissensorganisation von multimedialen Lerninhalten. Die Lernenden in der Lehrerausbildung sollen nicht allein eine rezeptive Rolle bei der Nutzung multimedialer Inhalte einnehmen, sondern sie werden aufgefordert, eine aktive Rolle bei der Erstellung von Inhalten zu übernehmen. Dabei wird die Trennung zwischen dem Autor auf der einen Seite und dem Leser bzw. Nutzer von Inhalten auf der anderen Seite aufgebrochen. Basis ist die Auseinandersetzung mit konkreten Lehr-/Lern-Situationen über die Nutzung von Video- und Audiosequenzen (Situated Learning). Eine internetbasierte Wissensbasis mit multimedialen Inhalten ist dabei der Ausgangspunkt, um die individuelle Wissensorganisation in der Lehrerbildung zu unterstützen. Exemplarisch werden diese Aspekte einer internetbasierten Wissensorganisation an dem Projekt MaDiN deutlich gemacht (MathematikDidaktik im Netz). Ohne detailliert auf die in MaDiN aufgebaute Wissensbasis einzugehen, geht es in diesem Artikel um allgemeine Methoden, internetbasiertes Wissensmanagement in die Lehrerbildung zu integrieren. Im Rahmen des vom Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Forschung mit 1,6 Millionen Euro geförderten Projektes zum Aufbau einer Wissensbasis mit mathematischen und mathematikdidaktischen Inhalten (Primarstufe, Sekundarstufe I und II) wurde eine spezielle Methode zur internetbasierten Wissensorganisation entwickelt. Das Konzept einer internetbasierten Wissensorganisation hat einen konstruktivistischen Hintergrund. Die Umsetzung in der Lehrerbildung erfolgt über ein Autorensystem, mit dem der Nutzer ein Werkzeug zur Online-Strukturierung personalisierter Lerninhalte besitzt.(DIPF/Orig.)

Gestão do conhecimento : Dos dados à informação e ao conhecimento

O presente artigo insere-se num projecto de investigação mais vasto e actualmente em curso que visa analisar as relações, teoricamente estabelecidas, entre a gestão do conhecimento e a competitividade organizacional, bem como compreender o papel que a tecnologia desempenha nos processos que suportam a gestão do conhecimento organizacional. Neste contexto, desde cedo sentimos a necessidade de clarificar os conceitos-chave passíveis de conduzir à definição do conceito de gestão do conhecimento, nomeadamente no que concerne à distinção entre o conceito de conhecimento e outros que, habitualmente, lhe surgem associados, designadamente, o de dados e o de informação. Para concretizar este objectivo, efectuámos uma análise de conteúdo ao conjunto das definições presentes na literatura revista, que, para além de possibilitar a clarificação do pensamento dos autores que aludem à temática da gestão do conhecimento, possibilitou uma distinção mais clara dos três conceitos em análise. Este artigo visa introduzir alguma clarificação conceptual neste domínio, realçando diferenças e articulações entre orientações teóricas, ou seja, visa traçar um quadro em que a literatura que gira em torno da gestão do conhecimento adquira uma nova inteligibilidade, facilitando, assim, a discussão desta problemática e permitindo, igualmente, uma melhor compreensão das diversas contribuições.

Introducing the National Library for Health Skin Conditions Specialist Library

Background: This paper introduces the new National Library for Health Skin Conditions Specialist Library http://www.library.nhs.uk/skin. Description: The aims, scope and audience of the new NLH Skin Conditions Specialist Library, and the composition and functions of its core Project Team, Editorial Team and Stakeholders Group are described. The Library's collection building strategy, resource and information types, editorial policies, quality checklist, taxonomy for content indexing, organisation and navigation, and user interface are all presented in detail. The paper also explores the expected impact and utility of the new Library, as well as some possible future directions for further development. Conclusion: The Skin Conditions Specialist Library is not just another new Web site that dermatologists might want to add to their Internet favourites then forget about it. It is intended to be a practical, "one-stop shop" dermatology information service for everyday practical use, offering high quality, up-to-date resources, and adopting robust evidence-based and knowledge management approaches.

Knowledge sharing networks and performance

The present investigation aims to analyse the relationship between knowledge sharing behaviours and performance. The former behaviours were studied using Social Network Analysis, in an attempt to characterise knowledge sharing networks. Through identification of central individuals in these networks, we made analysis of the association between this centrality and individual performance. A questionnaire was developed and applied to a sample of workers in a Portuguese organisation (N=244). The final conclusions point to a positive association between these behaviours and individual performance.

Lecciones aprendidas Proyecto Sistema de Alertas Tempranas de la ciudad de Medellín y el Valle de Aburrá - SIATA

Aprender de la experiencia de proyectos anteriores contribuye a disminuir los riesgos, evitar problemas ya identificados y reutilizar las buenas prácticas para reducir el número de proyectos no exitosos -- El objetivo de esta investigación es el de documentar las lecciones aprendidas durante la ejecución del proyecto: Sistema de Alertas Tempranos de la ciudad de Medellín y el Valle de Aburrá, SIATA, con el fin de consolidar una base de conocimiento para ser revisada y estudiada en futuras ocasiones

Articulación de lecciones aprendidas e información de gestión de riesgos para el gerenciamiento de proyectos corporativos del grupo Bancolombia

Las organizaciones adoptan buenas prácticas para el gerenciamiento de proyectos, en donde incorporan procesos para la construcción de lecciones aprendidas y gestión de riesgos, los cuales son vistos como elementos independientes de salida dentro de las diferentes metodologías de proyectos -- Las lecciones aprendidas y el registro de riesgos constituyen una fuente de información que da origen al conocimiento organizacional, y que por lo mismo no pueden considerarse de forma aislada por la estrecha relación que tiene entorno a la generación de conocimiento -- Grandes organizaciones, como el Grupo Bancolombia, carecen de procesos que articulen estas fuentes de conocimiento para que sean considerados realmente como activos organizacionales y no como documentos históricos de los proyectos, y de esta manera generan beneficios para el gerenciamiento de los proyectos

Managing knowledge flows in Mauritian multinational corporations: empirical analysis using the SECI model

This research was conducted to investigate the management of knowledge flows in a Mauritian multinational organisation. A case study research method was used to gather data which was analysed using the SECI model. Results show that all the four quadrants of this model were applied by the conglomerate in transferring knowledge to its newly acquired manufacturing operations in Madagascar. This paper discusses some of the knowledge management strategies employed.