Knowledge transfer for process improvements of SMEs in the region: experience from Project-Based Learning

Abstract

Knowledge has become the resource that enables higher levels of value aggregation in the production of goods and services, the sustainable insertion of emerging economies into the global village and the improvement of the living conditions of individuals. Based on the abovementioned, academia, particullarly universities are called to lead the generation of knowledge, not only for teaching and research, but also for offering solutions to the productive sector, that is, by generating knowledge transfer of businesses, the state and communities. This is the main challenge face by the academic community in order to prove if its intervention in organizations may have a great impact on the productivity and competitiveness of the different economic sectors. Therefore, this research aims to structure a teaching-learning strategy intended to the identification and analysis of a case problem of the productive sector. This strategy is based on the active methodology of project-based learning, as well as on the application of knowledge acquired by students in the following three areas: 1) Methods and Timing Analysis, 2) Human Talent Management; c) and Budgeting Fundamentals. Taking this into account, the students managed to diagnose and provide solutions to real problems of companies belonging to the productive sector of the region of Santander, Colombia. As a result of the research, it was possible to have a positive impact both from the point of view of the productivity of the organizations in the thematic axes addressed, as well as from the students’ appropriation of knowledge. In the same way, it was achieved the strengthening of the relationship between University – Business, contributing to the advance in the transfer of knowledge in the productive sector of the region from academia.