Abstract
Introduction: Knowledge has shown growing importance in economy, as a differentiation factor and a competitiveness enhancer, being considered as an important pillar of modern society development. Networks within and between organizations, as a strategy to potentiate knowledge sharing might be considered one of the most important approaches an organization may adopt. Objectives: To evaluate how the dynamics of knowledge creation occur in an intra-organizational network. Methods: This study is developed according to a descriptive and exploratory typology and uses the methodology of a case study developed over an optical services network in Portugal. Results: The results present evidence that the context of an intra-organizational network may favor a collective learning environment, mainly represented by the interaction that occurs between the collaborators of the various units and with the help of several “interaction” and knowledge creation spaces. Conclusions: The potential attributed to knowledge and networks in promoting the best organizational practices justify the interest of this analysis and the contribution of this study to the business environment.
Highlights
Knowledge has shown growing importance in economy, as a differentiation factor and a competitiveness enhancer, being considered as an important pillar of modern society development
Considering these facts, this studys goal is to evaluate and to understand how the knowledge creation dynamics occur in an intra-organizational network in the optics sector, in Portugal
This study develops through a qualitative topology, it is framed by a descriptive and exploratory line and adopts the methodology of a unique case study, concerning a network in the optical services area in Portugal
Summary
Knowledge has shown growing importance in economy, as a differentiation factor and a competitiveness enhancer, being considered as an important pillar of modern society development. Like Grant (2006), Nonaka, Toyama and Konno (2002) and Sundaresan and Zhang (2017) consider that the ability to create and utilize knowledge is an important source of sustainability and competitive advantage to the company On this context, inter and intra-organizational networks may be seen as a mechanism which allows organizations to reach their goals. Nonaka et al, (2002) emphasize that the conditions favorable to the creation of knowledge in an organization involve the method of knowledge conversion (Socialization – Externalization – Combining – Internalization), but for it to occur it is fundamental the emersion of a “ba”, Japanese concept meaning a physical, virtual or mental space within which knowledge is created, shared, and utilized Considering these facts, this studys goal is to evaluate and to understand how the knowledge creation dynamics occur in an intra-organizational network in the optics sector, in Portugal. The study is structured into three parts; after the introduction a theoretical reflection about the studied concepts is made, methodology is resumed, results are presented followed by the discussion, conclusions, contribution, limitations and suggestions for future research
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