A Grounded Theory for ICT-Mediated Tacit Knowledge Transferability in MNCs
العنوان: | A Grounded Theory for ICT-Mediated Tacit Knowledge Transferability in MNCs |
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المؤلفون: | Amer Nizar Fayez AbuAli, Juhana Salim, Mohammad Sharaf Qdah, Tarek Issa Khalil |
المصدر: | Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management. 13:311-335 |
بيانات النشر: | Informing Science Institute, 2018. |
سنة النشر: | 2018 |
مصطلحات موضوعية: | Information Systems and Management, Knowledge management, General Computer Science, business.industry, 05 social sciences, Transferability, 02 engineering and technology, Grounded theory, Information and Communications Technology, Multinational corporation, Tacit knowledge, 020204 information systems, 0502 economics and business, 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, Business, 050203 business & management |
الوصف: | Aim/Purpose: A vital business activity within organizations is tacit knowledge (TK) transfer. This work aims to propose a novel framework for TK transferability in multinational corporations (MNCs) from the information and communication technology (ICT) perspective. Background: In the past two decades, researchers have developed several frameworks for TK transfer based on humanistic, business, and educational perspectives. However, a review of the existing work revealed that TK transfer has seldom been examined from an ICT perspective. Methodology: A qualitative method was adopted because it was considered the most appropriate for the research requirements. A grounded theory approach was employed to generate the items that potentially affect the transferability of TK. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, along with observations when possible. The study sample consisted of 20 expert interviewees in Malaysia. An inductive ongoing data analysis process based on grounded theory via open, axial, and selective coding was used as the primary analysis method. In addition, comparative and frequency count analyses were used to examine the collected data. Contribution: The main contribution of this study is its use of the grounded theory approach, which resulted in the generation of items that affect the transferability of TK, not all of which had been identified by previous researchers. This paper reports one of the few inductive studies conducted on TK transferability among MNCs and, therefore, makes distinct contributions to the literature on TK management, specifically bringing to the fore the intricacies involved in TK transferability. Findings: Information and communication technology plays a crucial role in and has a positive impact on TK transfer in MNCs. This study evaluated the potential of various ICT channels to facilitate TK transfer. The findings show that ICT tools cannot completely substitute for face-to-face contact. Tacit knowledge that has a high degree of complexity requires sophisticated channel features for its transfer. From this standpoint, virtual face-to-face communication is the richest communication medium in the ICT hierarchy. On the other hand, email and voicemail are less effective channels for TK transfer, while synchronous groupware is an intermediate communication medium. The findings highlight the importance of utilizing an appropriate mix of channels to improve TK transferability. Recommendations for Practitioners: It is recommended that practitioners consider the diverse aspects of TK and the potential of a range of ICT channels for the TK transfer process in order to increase the efficiency of TK transfer. The analytic categories developed in this study may give managers new insights into and a better understanding of how TK can be supported in a modern organization and how to overcome the barriers to TK transfer. |
تدمد: | 1555-1237 1555-1229 |
URL الوصول: | https://explore.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doi_________::345e689164ed7552f0d2648cbccbce65 https://doi.org/10.28945/4107 |
حقوق: | OPEN |
رقم الأكسشن: | edsair.doi...........345e689164ed7552f0d2648cbccbce65 |
قاعدة البيانات: | OpenAIRE |
تدمد: | 15551237 15551229 |
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