Aspects Of Knowledge Transfer Research Articles

Knowledge Transfer via Distillation of Activation Boundaries Formed by Hidden Neurons

An activation boundary for a neuron refers to a separating hyperplane that determines whether the neuron is activated or deactivated. It has been long considered in neural networks that the activations of neurons, rather than their exact output values, play the most important role in forming classificationfriendly partitions of the hidden feature space. However, as far as we know, this aspect of neural networks has not been considered in the literature of knowledge transfer. In this paper, we propose a knowledge transfer method via distillation of activation boundaries formed by hidden neurons. For the distillation, we propose an activation transfer loss that has the minimum value when the boundaries generated by the student coincide with those by the teacher. Since the activation transfer loss is not differentiable, we design a piecewise differentiable loss approximating the activation transfer loss. By the proposed method, the student learns a separating boundary between activation region and deactivation region formed by each neuron in the teacher. Through the experiments in various aspects of knowledge transfer, it is verified that the proposed method outperforms the current state-of-the-art.

TOWARDS A NEW DIGITAL GAME OF CONTEMPORARY AESTHETICS

INTRODUCTION
 This paper partly envisages the research results of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project (see Acknowledgements). The task is to create an innovative digital game in the cross-cutting genres of art game and educational game. The game presents the specific aspects of digital art games and their historical background. Work on the new game will be carried out in a collaboration of the researcher, Dr.art. Ieva Gintere (Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Latvia) and the game artist, Mag.art. Kristaps Biters (Latvia). The game is being created in the framework of a Post-doctoral project led by Ieva Gintere during 2018-2021.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 Unity3d for game design. Blender 3d object design. Audacity and Abletone music generation and editing. Photoshop, illustrator for game texture, art design.
 RESULTS
 The study presents an insight into contemporary digital game theory and a new threefold method of game creation named RKTR (research / knowledge transfer / research). In this model, the game is created on the basis of research and knowledge transfer: knowledge gained in the research process is transferred to the players. The game also functions as a platform of new knowledge construction as the secondary task of the game is to collect the results of the players in order to analyse the new creative tendencies and to foresee the art trends of tomorrow.
 The proposed method focused on the aspect of knowledge transfer is constructed as a three-level spiral:
 - research-based game creation (the game is based on the results of research),- knowledge transfer (the game transfers the research results to the player),- use of the gameplay results in research (the game creators collect the data of the gameplay for new research).
 The existing game designers and theoreticians carry out research in action where the game design is united with the game research. In the discourse of digital gaming, this is a widespread method. However, there is a missing part in this model. Knowledge gained in this type of research does not flow beyond the circle of the game’s creators and researchers. This knowledge stays within the society of the game’s designers and researchers, and functions as a tool for their future work. Knowledge is an instrument for experts, and it is not transferred to the regular player. The existing model of a research-based game helps to obtain formal and professional knowledge: it is a know-how, it tells a designer how to build a game, but it is not meant for the player. The aim of the new digital game that is being created in this project, is to connect the research results with the player so that the knowledge acquired in the research process is effectively transferred to the general public.
 DISCUSSION
 Taking into account that art today is largely interactive, the new art game will let its user play with trends of digital art such as noise, generative art and others, and to create new ones. The aim of this project is to raise the interest of a wide-ranging public for contemporary art and to point out the newest creative tendencies in art. The game would develop the creative skills of players and teach them the current trends in digital art. At the same time the game would project the inheritance of art from the age of modernism into the digital world by teaching the player to recognize it (for instance, generative art is a successor to the Fluxus movement in modernism). The new art game is intended to educate the player and to stimulate his/her creative forces.
 The Design Science Research method is being used in this study in order to cross-cut such remote fields as the general public, the arthouse world, codes of modern art and the tastes of the general public. The Design Science Research method helps boost efficiency and interest towards contemporary art games. It intends to integrate seemingly distant disciplines and seeks parallels in different areas in order to gain new knowledge and adapt fresh approaches. By finding common aspects in different areas, Design Science Research fuses areas and invites new trends into a research field.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 This study has been supported by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund research “Leveraging ICT product innovations by enhancing codes of modern art” No. 1.1.1.2/VIAA/1/16/106 within the Activity 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Aid” of the Specific Aid Objective 1.1.1 “To increase the research and innovative capacity of scientific institutions in Latvia and the ability to attract external financing, investing in human resources and infrastructure” of the Operational Program “Growth and Employment”. Homepage of the research: http://va.lv/en/research/research/leveraging-ict-product-innovations-enhancing-codes-modern-art

How do knowledge spillover and access in supply chain network enhance SMEs’ credit quality?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how knowledge spillover and access in a supply chain network enhance the credit quality in supply chain finance (SCF) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachDrawing on network theory and a knowledge-based view (KBV) of SCF, this paper proposes a theoretical model and tests it using survey data from a sample of 248 SMEs in China.FindingsThe main finding is that both strong ties and dense ties within a supply chain network have positive effects on SMEs’ credit quality, and these effects are mediated by knowledge spillover and knowledge access. Interestingly, knowledge spillover is found to have a positive effect on knowledge access.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to investigate the relationship between supply chain network and supply chain financing from a KBV. The proposed model captures the complexity in the interaction among different attributes of supply chain networks (i.e. strong ties and dense ties), different aspects of knowledge transfer (i.e. knowledge spillover and knowledge access) and SMEs’ credit quality in SCF. The results not only show the importance of SMEs’ supply chain networks to SMEs’ credit quality but also contribute to the understanding of the KBV in SCF.

'Innovation policy is a team sport' - insights from non-governmental intermediaries in Canadian innovation ecosystem

Policy-makers and practitioners alike have increasingly embraced the innovation ecosystem approach to support the flow of knowledge within the Triple Helix framework. This approach focuses on the collaborative and interdependent nature of innovation, which is based on social aspects of knowledge transfer supporting relationships, partnerships, and connections. The important role of intermediary stakeholders that help to facilitate such partnerships is under-researched. This paper examines the work of three intermediary stakeholders in the Canadian innovation ecosystem—the Canadian Science Policy Centre, the MaRS Discovery District, and university Vice Presidents Research. By interviewing 40 experts from the federal and provincial governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, and the higher education sector in Ontario, this study examines how innovation ecosystems are created and what factors influence the success of bringing diverse stakeholders together. The findings suggest that strong political vision and leadership, an inclusive approach to recognizing the needs of diverse stakeholders, and clarity on ways to measure and fund innovation serve as important factors in the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Two aspects of knowledge transfer: what every manager should know about using analogy and narrative

PurposeOrganizational scholars continue to study “knowledge” as an important organizational resource, and there is a good understanding that knowledge transfer can boost organizational performance significantly. The power of individuals in the knowledge transfer is well established, as they can transfer tacit as well as explicit knowledge. However, recent studies have shown that organizations fail to transfer knowledge adequately. The purpose of this paper is to look at alternative modes of knowledge transfer that are still underexplored in organizations. The author focuses on two modes of knowledge transfer from an individual perspective – analogy and narratives, though often neglected, but can be most powerful for managers in organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis viewpoint is prepared by an independent writer who has amalgamated several other voices from different researchers/scholars and, finally, adds his own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsThe significant progress that we have made in understanding the various nuances of knowledge transfer now translates to need for focus on areas that still have scope for further inquiry. Based on current literature review, it was found that the two modes of knowledge transfer – analogy and narratives – require greater attention by managers during communicating tacit knowledge, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and organizational change.Research limitations/implicationsStorytelling and analogy allow researchers to translate charts, facts and figures into an engaging narrative that enhances its reach beyond the specialists.Practical implicationsNarratives can be used for indirectly stating uncomfortable truths and rules of the game in a society, and thereby avoid possible conflicts.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Insights Into University Knowledge Transfer in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and Other Scientific Disciplines – More Similarities Than Differences

Knowledge transfer from universities to other portions of society is highly relevant in both academia and public policy. However, the focus on high-quality research outputs has forced researchers to concentrate their efforts mainly on ‘science-to-science’ achievements. Knowledge transfer activities are usually reduced to topics that are associated with university-industry collaboration or the exploitation of research results, such as procurement of patents. Achievements in fields characterized by ‘science-to-professionals’ and ‘science-to-public’ knowledge transfer are often not appreciated, but rather evaluated as extraordinary and voluntary contributions. Therefore, these are deemed as not beneficial for progression in academic careers. Furthermore, study of such aspects of knowledge transfer has rarely been conducted. While the reduction of knowledge transfer to profit-oriented indicators should in general be questioned, such an objective is particularly inappropriate in the social sciences and humanities (SSH). In the current study, we explored whether researchers themselves have a differentiated understanding of knowledge transfer and which attitudes towards knowledge transfer can be described. We also investigated motivators and obstacles associated with knowledge transfer itself. To analyze differences between the SSH and other scientific disciplines, we compared SSH researchers with those of other fields. Our sample consisted of 283 participants from 18 different Austrian universities. Results indicate that researchers possess a comprehensive understanding of knowledge transfer that is closely related to science-to-public and science-to-professionals disciplines, as well as university instruction. Importantly, issues regarding the exploitation of research results were questioned and motivators were linked to moral rather than economic issues. Within the scientific community, knowledge transfer is insufficiently appreciated and is not beneficial for progress in an academic career. As such, researchers are hindered in participating in knowledge transfer activities. Differences between SSH and non-SSH researchers were noted in several evaluated categories, but were mainly small in effect size. Both subsamples answered consistently along the same trend, indicating that the differences are smaller than we hypothesized. Our findings are critically discussed, and implications are extrapolated.

PENDIDIKAN EKONOMI INFORMAL: BAGAIMANA PENDIDIKAN EKONOMI MEMBENTUK PENGETAHUAN PADA BISNIS KELUARGA?

This article examines aspects of knowledge transfer in family business that are implemented in informal economic education through Bandura's social cognitive theory model. This study uses literature studies by looking for theoretical references that are relevant to the case or problem found. The results of this study indicate that economic education forms knowledge in family business through the role of modeled behavior and will be studied in observational learning. The observational learning process itself is governed by four interrelated components, namely the process of attention, the process of retention, the process of motor reproduction, and the process of motivation

Understanding and managing knowledge transfer for customers in IT adoption

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance information technology (IT) adoption research and practice by investigating the process of knowledge transfer (KT) undertaken by suppliers of IT innovations. The authors expound the intricacies of formal and informal mechanisms of the KT initiative that aims at augmenting the absorptive capacity (ACAP) of potential IT adopters with the objective of increasing the likelihood of adoption of new IT products or services.Design/methodology/approachThe authors draw on case studies of ten IT suppliers to build on the limited research on KT for customers in IT adoption. The authors focus on the for customer type of KT from the standpoint of the IT supplier firm.FindingsThe authors’ results show that complexity of the IT product or service increases the reliance on formal and systematic KT initiatives. This paper also shows that there is a required minimum threshold level of initial customers’ ACAP in order for the KT initiative to be worthwhile for the supplier, especially for those offering complex IT products and services. However, IT suppliers were found to limit their reliance on KT when they believed that customers that became too knowledgeable might threaten the innovation’s diffusion.Research limitations/implicationsSince the authors’ case firms represented innovation suppliers, future studies should investigate customer-supplier dyads to explore and integrate the customer’s perspective in the analysis of the KT process. To this end, longitudinal studies would also provide immense insights into the KT process and how it evolves over time.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper consists of illuminating the workings of KT initiatives aimed at existing and potential customers from the standpoint of the IT innovation supplier. By focusing on the for customers aspect of KT, this paper advances the authors’ understanding of why and how IT suppliers should resort to formal vs informal KT mechanisms. The authors’ proposed framework also integrates and shows the roles of customers’ ACAP, complexity of the IT innovation, and tacitness of the knowledge transferred to the customers.

What we do know and what we need to know about knowledge in the growth process

Purpose– There is evidence for major positive effects of knowledge transfer and innovation diffusion on economic growth. Much research has addressed schooling, training, and other aspects of human capital accumulation, but less emphasis has been placed on the interaction between firms and other organizations as a key driver of the development of new knowledge and its economic use. There is an extensive body of literature that discusses various aspects of knowledge transfer and innovation diffusion between firms, and this literature may serve as a microfoundation for understanding the role of knowledge in the growth process. However, we need to understand the role of the entrepreneur as a missing link between knowledge and innovation. The purpose of this paper is to outline some foundations of endogenous (externally driven) growth models, and uses the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship to propose a new model of latent and emergent entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approach– The paper uses the method of conceptual analysis to structure the literature and its assumptions. The authors review in broad terms what we know in the space of knowledge and growth, and what we still need to know. The authors curate informed views on the topic of knowledge and the way that entrepreneurs contribute to innovation diffusion.Findings– The paper develops a new perspective on knowledge. Starting from the role of knowledge as a core element in the microfoundations of endogenous growth models, it uses the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship to propose a new model of latent and emergent entrepreneurship.Practical implications– The paper uses knowledge spillover theory to lay out a more complete and more realistic process through which knowledge gets converted into realized innovations, and as such, it makes the intervention points through which people management can facilitate organizational effectiveness through innovation more transparent.Originality/value– The paper provides guidance for future researchers on knowledge and innovation diffusion. It encourages innovation in our thinking about the role of knowledge, and allows scholars to combine perspectives more flexibly both across levels of analysis (macro and micro), and across disciplines (economy and management).

Individual learning effects on knowledge transfer in international joint ventures: an exploratory framework

This paper examines micro (individual-level)-aspects of knowledge transfer and learning in international joint ventures in an emerging economy context. Learning by expatriate and local managers appears far more complex, mutually dependent, and significant to the knowledge transfer process than suggested in the existing literature. Building upon conceptualisations of individual learning and cognitive-behavioural effects in an organisational context while drawing evidence from two cases of Danish-Vietnamese joint ventures, we propose a model of individual-level knowledge transfer and learning in IJVs. With this model, we expect to enhance our understanding of micro-foundations of learning in emerging economy joint ventures and to encourage future research that takes individual learning effects into consideration.

Knowledge transfer in the field of parental mental illness: objectives, effective strategies, indicators of success, and sustainability.

BackgroundMental health problems are often transmitted from one generation to the next. However, transferring knowledge about interventions that reduce intergenerational transmission of disease to the field of parental mental illness has been very difficult. One of the most critical issues in mental health services research is the gap between what is generally known about effective treatment and what is provided to consumers in routine care.DiscussionIn this article we discuss several aspects of knowledge transfer in the field of parental mental illness. Effective strategies and implementation prerequisites are explored, and we also discuss indicators of success and sustainability.SummaryAltogether, this article presents a rationale for the importance of preventive strategies for children of mentally ill parents. Furthermore, the discussion shows how complex it is to change clinical practice.

Critical Factors on Information Technology Acceptance and Use: An Analysis on Small and Medium Brazilian Clothing Industries

The increasing business competitiveness leads industries to differentiate themselves in terms of technology. The insertion of information systems in their structures figure as an element of competitive leverage and operational and financial performance increase. Industrial companies face, however, difficulties regarding the use of these systems in their environments, causing a scenario of low computerization. This scenario is observed in the clothing industries of the Ceara State, unit of analysis of this research, which seeks to investigate the critical factors for the use of information systems in these companies. The application of a survey instrument, along with interviews with industrialists and literature review were used as sources of information gathering to reach that goal. The research is structured based on existing theoretical models in the literature, which have different dimensions related to critical factors of information systems use. As conclusions, aspects of knowledge transfer between the user company and the software provider shows up as critical factors, as well as other environmental characteristics of the user firms.

Bridging two worlds? The troubled transfer of new environmental knowledge from science to consulting engineers

Today, there is widespread political optimism regarding the role of scientific knowledge as a driving force for innovation and economic growth. Could this lead us to overestimate science’s ability to provide innovation central to solving the challenges facing our society? This article is a study of the appropriation of science in knowledge intensive services: specifically, about how consulting engineers engage with new environmental knowledge. First, I investigate research communities’ efforts with respect to transfer of new environmental knowledge to the consulting engineering industry. Second, I analyse consulting engineers’ accounts of acquisition and use of scientific and other forms of new knowledge relevant to dealing with environmental issues. The article engages with the optimistic view by employing three theoretical perspectives, representing greater caution and highlighting different aspects of knowledge transfer and acquisition: Mode 2 theory, Latourian sociology of innovation and two-community theory. The ensuing empirical analysis challenges the optimistic views with regard to the role of new scientific knowledge for innovation; transfer efforts are limited and slow. Instead, the importance of indirect roads of transfer of scientific knowledge is emphasized, such as newly educated candidates and the development of regulations and codes. Another main finding is that consulting engineers’ acquisition of new knowledge was guided mainly by pragmatic demand, generated through problem-solving in the context of application.

Knowledge-intensive business services: a brief overview

In the last decade of the 20 th century knowledge has gained importance in the eco nomy. This lead to the emergence of knowledge-based activities: knowledge-intensive organizations, and particularly knowledge-intensive services. These organizations function as external knowledge source s for other organizations. Their performance depend s largely on professional knowledge. Since their performance has an impact on the success of their clients, it is i mportant to look at those factors which influence the knowledge transfer betw een service provider and client organization. Based on theory and empirical research, the paper addresses the specifi c aspects of knowledge transfer from knowledge-intensive business service organizations to client organizations. ISSN: 1804-0527 (online) 1804-0519 (print)

Governance structures of socially complex knowledge flows: Exchange, entitlement and gifts

The intangible aspects of knowledge transfer in multinational corporations (MNCs) continue to be a crucial area of research in social science research and raise the issue of knowledge governance structures. The purpose of this conceptual note is twofold. Firstly, we believe that there is more than one governance structure for successful knowledge transfers and flows. We provide a typology of three governance structures: “exchange,” “entitlement,” “gifts.” Secondly, most MNCs will need to take advantage of all three or a combination of these three socially complex governance structures.

In Conversation with Itamar Even-Zohar about Literary and Culture Theory

Dora Sales Salvador presents, in "In Conversation with Itamar Even-Zohar about Literary and Culture Theory," the text of an interview with literary and culture theoretician Itamar Even-Zohar (Tel Aviv University). In the interview, Sales Salvador discusses with Even-Zohar his polysystem theory, a framework that emerges from the wish to foster open dialogue between different trends in culture research. The discussion suggests that there are assumptions shared by practitioners of cultural studies and Even-Zohar's culture research framework he has been developing since 1993. At the same time, the discussion reveals that it is also necessary and perhaps much more important to be conscious and to be aware of the differences between the two frameworks. Even-Zohar's explanations present lucid accounts of the bases of the respective theoretical frameworks. Further, Even-Zohar responds to the Sales Salvador's queries about aspects of the reception of the polysystem theory in literary and culture scholarship, the role of translation studies in the context of the polysystem theory, aspects of knowledge transfer in humanities scholarship, and the need to consider what other areas of research and scholarship can provide.