A process view of knowledge management:it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it

Knowledge management needs to consider the three related elements of people, processes and technology. Much existing work has concentrated on either people or technology, often to the exclusion of the other two elements. Yet without thinking about process – the way people, organisations and even technology actually do things – any implementation of a knowledge management initiative is at best risky, and at worst doomed to failure. This presentation looks at various ways in which a process view has appeared, explicitly or implicitly, in knowledge management research and practice so far, and reflects on how more “thinking about process” might improve knowledge management in the future. Consistent with the presentation’s own overall viewpoint, the issues generally centre not on what a process view would suggest should be done, but on the way that it would be implemented in practice.

An investigation into the effects of the feedback of knowledge of results on operator performance

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

A comparison of the sensing characteristics of long period gratings written in three different types of fiber

This paper compares the environmental sensing behaviour of long period gratings written in three fibers with different refractive index profiles: step, W and a progressive three layered fiber. The measurands considered are temperature, refractive index, axial strain and bending, and the spectral behaviour of individual attenuation bands were observed and, where possible, compared to theoretical predictions. Significant differences in the behaviour of the three fiber types were found. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A conceptual framework of knowledge integration in multisourcing arrangements

As organizations are increasingly outsourcing interdependent IT and business services to multiple vendors, the issue of knowledge integration between client and multiple vendors is becoming of high relevance today. This paper explores the antecedents and mechanisms which facilitate the success of knowledge integration across multiple stakeholders in multisourcing and the outcomes of successful knowledge integration in this context. The paper develops a conceptual framework of knowledge integration in the multisourcing arrangements, based on a detailed review of current literature on knowledge integration and applying it to the multi-vendor environment. This paper concludes by calling for further empirical study to examine the integrative framework of the key antecedents, mechanisms and consequences of knowledge integration in the multisourcing arrangements.

Explaining process and performance in the co-production of knowledge:a comparative analysis of collaborative research projects

Despite considerable and growing interest in the subject of academic researchers and practising managers jointly generating knowledge (which we term ‘co-production’), our searches of management literature revealed few articles based on primary data or multiple cases. Given the increasing commitment to co-production by academics, managers and those funding research, it seems important to strengthen the evidence base about practice and performance in co-production. Literature on collaborative research was reviewed to develop a framework to structure the analysis of this data and relate findings to the limited body of prior research on collaborative research practice and performance. This paper presents empirical data from four completed, large scale co-production projects. Despite major differences between the cases, we find that the key success factors and the indicators of performances are remarkably similar. We demonstrate many, complex influences between factors, between outcomes, and between factors and outcomes, and discuss the features that are distinctive to co-production. Our empirical findings are broadly consonant with prior literature, but go further in trying to understand success factors’ consequences for performance. A second contribution of this paper is the development of a conceptually and methodologically rigorous process for investigating collaborative research, linking process and performance. The paper closes with discussion of the study’s limitations and opportunities for further research.

Exploring clusters and their value as types of business networks in the agricultural sector

The undisputed link of the agricultural sector with regional economies, along with the increased competition, fosters agri-business companies to rethink their business philosophy and to transform from isolated firms to members of more extended business formations. The paper examines a particular type of business network, the cluster. It focuses on the concept of clusters and on cluster-based strategies in the context of agriculture. In particular, the paper explores the value of clusters by taking into consideration the particularities of the agricultural sector. Potential benefits and constraints of agri-business cluster development are also presented.

The sensing characteristics of long period gratings in three different types of fibre

In this paper, sensing characteristics of long period gratings in three different types of single mode optical fibre: a step-index fibre, a progressive three layered fibre and a suppressed-cladding fibre were investigated. It was found that variation in the refractive index profile and material constants of the fibre can produce a dramatic change in the spectral sensitivity for a particular measurand for a given long period grating attenuation band. © 2003 IEEE.

Use of dual-grating sensors formed by different types of fiber Bragg gratings for simultaneous temperature and strain measurements

We report on a systematic investigation of the dependence of both temperature and strain sensitivities on the fiber Bragg grating type, including the well-known Type I, Type IIA, and a new type that we have designated Type IA, using both hydrogen-free and hydrogenated B/Ge codoped fibres. We have identified distinct sensitivity characteristics for each grating type, and we have used them to implement a novel dual-grating, dual-parameter sensor device. Three dual-grating sensing schemes with different combinations of grating type have been constructed and compared, and that of a Type IA-Type IIA combination exhibits the best performance, which is also superior to that of previously reported grating-based structures. The characteristics of the measurement errors in such dual-grating sensor systems is also presented in detail. © 2004 Optical Society of America.

The New Software Package for Dynamic Hierarchical Clustering for Circles Types of Shapes

In data mining, efforts have focused on finding methods for efficient and effective cluster analysis in large databases. Active themes of research focus on the scalability of clustering methods, the effectiveness of methods for clustering complex shapes and types of data, high-dimensional clustering techniques, and methods for clustering mixed numerical and categorical data in large databases. One of the most accuracy approach based on dynamic modeling of cluster similarity is called Chameleon. In this paper we present a modified hierarchical clustering algorithm that used the main idea of Chameleon and the effectiveness of suggested approach will be demonstrated by the experimental results.

Complex skills and academic writing:a review of evidence about the types of learning required to meet core assessment criteria

Assessment criteria are increasingly incorporated into teaching, making it important to clarify the pedagogic status of the qualities to which they refer. We reviewed theory and evidence about the extent to which four core criteria for student writing-critical thinking, use of language, structuring, and argument-refer to the outcomes of three types of learning: generic skills learning, a deep approach to learning, and complex learning. The analysis showed that all four of the core criteria describe to some extent properties of text resulting from using skills, but none qualify fully as descriptions of the outcomes of applying generic skills. Most also describe certain aspects of the outcomes of taking a deep approach to learning. Critical thinking and argument correspond most closely to the outcomes of complex learning. At lower levels of performance, use of language and structuring describe the outcomes of applying transferable skills. At higher levels of performance, they describe the outcomes of taking a deep approach to learning. We propose that the type of learning required to meet the core criteria is most usefully and accurately conceptualized as the learning of complex skills, and that this provides a conceptual framework for maximizing the benefits of using assessment criteria as part of teaching. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.

The Strategical Impact of Knowledge Markets and Knowledge Management for Small and Medium Enterprises

According to the rapidly changing environment small and medium enterprises constantly need to adapt their strategies and activities. The transition from the industrial economy to knowledge-based economy results in the increasing of the volume of the available information. Therefore knowledge markets are needed and innovation centers have to be developed. An effective knowledge management system helps small and medium enterprises to overcome their disadvantages and compete with big corporations. The review of current developments in the field of knowledge markets is also made.

Use of Knowledge Technologies for Presentation of Bulgarian Folklore Heritage Semantics

Preserving and presenting the Bulgarian folklore heritage is a long-term commitment of scholars and researchers working in many areas. This article presents ontological model of the Bulgarian folklore knowledge, exploring knowledge technologies for presenting the semantics of the phenomena of our traditional culture. This model is a step to the development of the digital library for the “Bulgarian Folklore Heritage” virtual exposition which is a part of the “Knowledge Technologies for Creation of Digital Presentation and Significant Repositories of Folklore Heritage” project.

Development and psychometric evaluation of a new team effectiveness scale for all types of community adult mental health teams:a mixed-methods approach

Defining 'effectiveness' in the context of community mental health teams (CMHTs) has become increasingly difficult under the current pattern of provision required in National Health Service mental health services in England. The aim of this study was to establish the characteristics of multi-professional team working effectiveness in adult CMHTs to develop a new measure of CMHT effectiveness. The study was conducted between May and November 2010 and comprised two stages. Stage 1 used a formative evaluative approach based on the Productivity Measurement and Enhancement System to develop the scale with multiple stakeholder groups over a series of qualitative workshops held in various locations across England. Stage 2 analysed responses from a cross-sectional survey of 1500 members in 135 CMHTs from 11 Mental Health Trusts in England to determine the scale's psychometric properties. Based on an analysis of its structural validity and reliability, the resultant 20-item scale demonstrated good psychometric properties and captured one overall latent factor of CMHT effectiveness comprising seven dimensions: improved service user well-being, creative problem-solving, continuous care, inter-team working, respect between professionals, engagement with carers and therapeutic relationships with service users. The scale will be of significant value to CMHTs and healthcare commissioners both nationally and internationally for monitoring, evaluating and improving team functioning in practice.

Solving a Direct Marketing Problem by Three Types of ARTMAP Neural Networks

An important task for a direct mailing company is to detect potential customers in order to avoid unnecessary and unwanted mailing. This paper describes a non-linear method to predict profiles of potential customers using dARTMAP, ARTMAP-IC, and Fuzzy ARTMAP neural networks. The paper discusses advantages of the proposed approaches over similar techniques based on MLP neural networks.