Incubating knowledge transfer in manufacturing networks
Type
fundamental research project
Start Date
December 1, 2014
End Date
December 1, 2016
Status
ongoing
Keywords
Manufacturing networks
Knowledge transfer
Knowledge transfer
Description
Manufacturing networks have been recognised as a valuable source for competitive advantage, rather than only a conglomerate of independent sites producing within the same legal company. To achieve competitive advantage through a network, more has to be done than only trying to optimise single sites in isolation. Sites need to transfer their gained knowledge to other sites of the network so that the whole network can benefit from the achievements of single sites.
Contrary to the common understanding in literature on manufacturing networks, I assume that knowledge does not easily flow within a network. I propose that there exist barriers hindering the transfer of knowledge between sites. These barriers stem from two different directions: barriers related to the coordination mechanisms chosen to manage the manufacturing network and barriers related to knowledge properties. Moreover, research on knowledge transfer is mainly focused on the network perspective. However, to understand how to incubate knowledge transfer, more insight on site employee decision on knowledge transfer is needed. Thus, I aim to analyse what affects knowledge transfer decisions on a site level with respect to relevant barriers and facilitating variables influencing employee’s knowledge transfer decisions. Therefore, a research approach combining operations management and knowledge management literature is chosen, which allows linking and integrating manufacturing network and site level variables, thus providing deeper insights into how to improve the knowledge transfer outcome of manufacturing networks.
Contrary to the common understanding in literature on manufacturing networks, I assume that knowledge does not easily flow within a network. I propose that there exist barriers hindering the transfer of knowledge between sites. These barriers stem from two different directions: barriers related to the coordination mechanisms chosen to manage the manufacturing network and barriers related to knowledge properties. Moreover, research on knowledge transfer is mainly focused on the network perspective. However, to understand how to incubate knowledge transfer, more insight on site employee decision on knowledge transfer is needed. Thus, I aim to analyse what affects knowledge transfer decisions on a site level with respect to relevant barriers and facilitating variables influencing employee’s knowledge transfer decisions. Therefore, a research approach combining operations management and knowledge management literature is chosen, which allows linking and integrating manufacturing network and site level variables, thus providing deeper insights into how to improve the knowledge transfer outcome of manufacturing networks.
Leader contributor(s)
Funder
Topic(s)
Operations Management
Produktionsnetzwerke
Range
HSG Internal
Range (De)
HSG Intern
Principal
Grundlagenforschungsfonds der Universität St. Gallen
Division(s)
Eprints ID
247307
Funding code
2190780