Title: Bridging islands of knowledge: a framework of knowledge sharing mechanisms

Authors: Kah-Hin Chai, Mike Gregory, Yongjiang Shi

Addresses: Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, Singapore. Institute for Manufacturing, Cambridge University, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RZ, UK. Institute for Manufacturing, Cambridge University, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RZ, UK

Abstract: This paper attempts to answer the question of what and how knowledge sharing mechanisms should be used between geographically dispersed plants in multinational companies. Case studies in 11 multinational companies reveal that many mechanisms are used for inter-plant knowledge sharing, which are grouped into eight categories: transfer of people, forums (internal conferences/meetings), boundary spanners, periodicals, audits, benchmarking, best-practice guidelines and international teams. It is found that some knowledge sharing mechanisms are more suited for one stage of knowledge sharing than another, as determined by their ||reach|| and ||richness||. Specifically, mechanisms with high ||reach|| are more suitable for creating awareness among potential receivers and mechanisms with high ||richness|| are often more effective in transferring the knowledge. In addition, the choice of mechanism is also dependent on the degree of tacitness and embeddedness knowledge transferred. Based on these insights, a framework linking knowledge sharing mechanisms with knowledge transferred is constructed.

Keywords: knowledge management; knowledge sharing mechanisms; international manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2003.003133

International Journal of Technology Management, 2003 Vol.25 No.8, pp.703-727

Published online: 12 Jul 2003 *

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