Knowledge network creation methodology selection in project-based organizations. An empirical framework
| Published date | 19 January 2015 |
| Date | 19 January 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-08-2014-0106 |
| Pages | 74-93 |
| Author | Atieh Bourouni,Siamak Noori,Mostafa Jafari |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval |
Knowledge network creation
methodology selection in
project-based organizations
An empirical framework
Atieh Bourouni, Siamak Noori and Mostafa Jafari
Industrial Engineering Department, Iran University of Science & Technology,
Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Purpose –In today’s knowledge-based economy, knowledge networks (KN) increasingly are
becoming vital channels for pursuing strategic objectives in project-based organizations (PBO), in
which the project is the basic organizational element in its operation. KN initiatives often are started
with the selection of a creation methodology, which involves complex decisions for successful
implementation. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to address this critical selection of methodology and
proposes a holistic framework for selecting an appropriate methodology in this kind of flatter, speedier,
and more flexible organizational form.
Design/methodology/approach –In the first step, the study established a theoretical background
addressing the problem of KN creation in PBO. The second step defined selection criteria based on
extensive literature review. In the third step, a holistic framework was constructed based on different
characteristics of existing methodologies categorized according to the selected criteria. Finally, the
suggested framework was empirically tested in a project-based firm and the case study and the results
are discussed.
Findings –A holistic framework was determined by including different aspects of a KN such as
network perspectives, tools and techniques, objectives, characteristics, capabilities, and approaches.
The proposed framework consisted of ten existing KN methodologies that consider qualitative and
quantitative dimensions with micro and macro approaches.
Originality/value –The development of the theory of KN creation methodology is the main
contribution of this research. The selection framework, which was theoretically and empirically
grounded, has attempted to offer a more rational and less ambiguous solution to the KN methodology
selection problem in PBO forms.
Keywords Decision making, Knowledge sharing, Macro techniques,
Organizational knowledge network formation, Pharmaceutical R&D organizations,
Project-based businesses
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
In today’s information-based, knowledge-driven, and service-intensive economy,
knowledge has become the source of products, services and business models that
provide a basis for thecompetitive advantage of organizations(Argote and Ingram, 2000;
Kearns and Lederer, 2003; Harris et al., 2013). Recently, a large number of firms
have become concerned about a shift from mass production to a more innovative,
information-technology oriented, and mostly undiscovered production paradigm in
which they must consistently provide and support creative and competitive products,
services, and business models in order to continually stream new value to the customers
(Story et al., 2015).Consequently, the knowledge that provides valuable capitaldispersed
from inside and outsidethe organization becomes increasingly important.Accordingly, it
Aslib Journal of Information
Management
Vol. 67 No. 1, 2015
pp. 74-93
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2050-3806
DOI 10.1108/AJIM-08-2014-0106
Received 26 August 2014
Revised 19 October 2014
Accepted 13 November 2014
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2050-3806.htm
74
AJIM
67,1
is not surprising that strategic knowledge management (KM) initiatives and systems
have been utilized in organizations for integrating, growing, and reconciling this
competitive knowledge (López-Nicolás and Meroño-Cerdán, 2011).
On the other hand, building project-based organizations (PBOs) has been addre ssed
as a solution to dynamic knowledge integration by the most advanced modern and
international corporations which transformed their traditional hierarchical
organizational form to a flatter, faster, and more flexible and horizontally integrated
structure based on teams and projects. Moreover, it has been implied that PBO is the
optimal organizational form for the management of internal and external knowledge
that plays a significant role in creating new business models of products and services.
While early literature mostly focussed on the achievement of project goals and therefore
considered solutions that increased the efficiency and effectiveness of projects (White
and Fortune, 2002),more recent research has suggested knowledge and its management
as a key performance driver in PBOs (Ajmal and Koskinen, 2008; Ajmal et al., 2010;
Boh, 2007; Reich et al., 2012).Besides, among diverse existing KM techniques,initiatives,
or strategies,the concept of knowledge network(KN) has gained increasing attentiondue
the collaborative nature of project-based environments (Capó-Vicedo et al., 2011; Chinowsky
et al., 2009; Di Vincenzo and Mascia, 2012). Bourouni et al. (2014) state that a primary key to
performance for PBO is the development and management of organizational networks
in the form of KN and communities of interest.
Although, several researchers have addressed the importance of KNs, their
applications, and related creation methodologies (Pugh and Prusak, 2013; Enkel, 2002;
Allee, 2000; Back et al., 2005; Capital, 2005; Elisberg et al., 2006; Egger et al., 2006; Seufert
et al., 1999), only a few articles have addressed how organizations can select an appropriate
methodology for creating a KN (Enkel, 2002). Thus, the main goal of this paper is to
develop and present a framework for KN creation methodology evaluation and to illustrate
its application. Consequently, the purpose of KN creation methodologies systematic
comparison can be summarized as follows: better understanding in academic research of
the nature of methodologies for better classifications and developing the resulting KN,
selecting methodologies for practical purposes for specific application in project-based and
dynamic environments. However, these two reasons are not distinct from each other. It has
been observed that academic studies help in practical decision making and practical
reasons have influence on the defined criteria in academic studies (Avison and Guy, 2006).
The paper is organized in seven sections. In Section 2, the problem of KN creation in
project-based business environments and its different dimensions are introduced. This
section also establishes a theoretical background addressing the methodology selection
problem in PBOs. In Section 3, existing KN creation methodologies are discussed
comprehensively based on the problem definedinSection1.FollowingthatinSection4,
a holistic framework for KN methodologies is proposed based on defined evaluation
criteria including network perspectives, tools and techniques, objectives, characteristics,
capabilities, approaches, etc. In Section 5, the suggested framework is empirically tested in
a project-based firm as the case study and the results are discussed thoroughly. Finally,
Section 6 summarizes the discussions and Section 7 presents the concluding remarks.
2. Theoretical background
2.1 PBO
Organizing firm operation according to project-based form is prevalent in the current
knowledge-based economy. DeFillippi and Lehrer (2011) highlight that PBOs denote a
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Project-based
organizations
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