Knowledge Acquisition Mechanism Research Articles

A Procedural Constructive Learning Mechanism with Deep Reinforcement Learning for Cognitive Agents

Recent advancements in AI and deep learning have created a growing demand for artificial agents capable of performing tasks within increasingly complex environments. To address the challenges associated with continuous learning constraints and knowledge capacity in this context, cognitive architectures inspired by human cognition have gained significance. This study contributes to existing research by introducing a cognitive-attentional system employing a constructive neural network-based learning approach for continuous acquisition of procedural knowledge. We replace an incremental tabular Reinforcement Learning algorithm with a constructive neural network deep reinforcement learning mechanism for continuous sensorimotor knowledge acquisition, thereby enhancing the overall learning capacity. The primary emphasis of this modification centers on optimizing memory utilization and reducing training time. Our study presents a learning strategy that amalgamates deep reinforcement learning with procedural learning, mirroring the incremental learning process observed in human sensorimotor development. This approach is embedded within the CONAIM cognitive-attentional architecture, leveraging the cognitive tools of CST. The proposed learning mechanism allows the model to dynamically create and modify elements in its procedural memory, facilitating the reuse of previously acquired functions and procedures. Additionally, it equips the model with the capability to combine learned elements to effectively adapt to complex scenarios. A constructive neural network was employed, initiating with an initial hidden layer comprising one neuron. However, it possesses the capacity to adapt its internal architecture in response to its performance in procedural and sensorimotor learning tasks, inserting new hidden layers or neurons. Experimentation conducted through simulations involving a humanoid robot demonstrates the successful resolution of tasks that were previously unsolved through incremental knowledge acquisition. Throughout the training phase, the constructive agent achieved a minimum of 40% greater rewards and executed 8% more actions when compared to other agents. In the subsequent testing phase, the constructive agent exhibited a 15% increase in the number of actions performed in contrast to its counterparts.

Fostering product and process innovation through transformational leadership and knowledge management capability: the moderating role of innovation culture

PurposeDue to the vital role of innovation for firms to respond effectively to the rapid changes of business environment, the purpose of this study is to explore the influence of transformational leadership (TL) on innovation capability of firms via mediating role of knowledge management capability (KMC). It attempts to deepen insight on the moderating mechanism of innovation culture (IC) in enhancing the effects of KMC on two specific aspects of innovation capability namely product and process innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) and cross-sectional design to test hypotheses in the proposed research model using data collected from 339 participants in 75 manufacturing and service firms in China.FindingsThe findings indicate that TL directly or indirectly affect firm's innovation via mediating role of KMC. The findings highlight that influences of KMC on aspects of innovation capability are different and depended on the degree of innovative climate in an organization.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should examine the mediating mechanisms of knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge application to provide deeper insight on specific roles of knowledge management's constituents in linking TL and innovation capability.Originality/valueThis study contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advancing the insights of how TL directly and indirectly fosters product and process innovation via mediating roles of KMC. By investigating moderating role of IC, this study has provided the valuable initiatives and integration view of a new mechanism to foster specific dimensions of innovation capability of firms in developing and emerging market.

How knowledge acquisition creates a competitive edge? A qualitative inquiry from international consultancy alliance

PurposeThe current study attempts to bridge the existing gap related to the role of knowledge acquisition from international alliance partners to improve competitiveness by examining the distinct processes of knowledge acquisition and the challenges confronted in this learning process in order to enhance local and international market performance.Design/methodology/approachFollowing case-study approach based on systematic combining, the study presents a case of knowledge acquisition and learning in the context of an international consultancy alliance between leading Pakistani and Chinese engineering firms using six in-depth interviews of key engineers to explore the dynamic mechanisms for knowledge acquisition and learning from the Chinese firm. Grounded analysis drawn upon the Straussian version of grounded theory (GT) {{Strauss, 1990 #136} Strauss, 1998 #139} is used for data analysis in this research.FindingsIt was found that the processes of explicit and implicit knowledge acquisition from Chinese firms are integrated consultancy working, social and technical adaptability and seeking confirmation about the work done and knowledge/theories and models used in work. However, these processes are quite complex, posing serious challenges for National Engineering Services, Pakistan to acquire the required knowledge, which can be addressed through partners' motivation to share and acquire knowledge, cultural intelligence and friendship and informal association. The study also found that the knowledge acquired from technologically advanced international organizations by the host partner in the international strategic alliance not only provides a competitive edge to the local host in its local market but also builds its capacity to undertake similar projects in other parts of the world, substantially enhancing its market success.Originality/valueAdding up to the current literature that focuses on knowledge acquisition in a parent-subsidiary relationship, the current research proposes a framework for knowledge acquisition in the unique context of international strategic alliances. The research provides managerial guidelines to manage knowledge acquisition for gaining a competitive edge that would be helpful for the managers in the era of growing interdependence among the organizations across the borders.

Research on the leadership model in the process of enterprise knowledge management under the background of Internet

Compared with the development of traditional industries, Internet technology has broken the limitations existing in the development process of traditional industries. The intensity of changes in the competitive environment and channels of enterprises are constantly strengthening. All walks of life can also stand on the platform of Internet technology to develop new fields and promote social progress. For an enterprise, leadership in the management process is a very important ability embodiment of enterprise management. Firstly, the concept of knowledge management is put forward, this paper introduces the characteristics of leadership, discusses the problems of leadership in the process of enterprise knowledge management under the internet background, and expounds the strategies to improve the leadership in the process of enterprise knowledge management under the internet background from three aspects: establishing and perfecting the mechanism of knowledge acquisition, diffusion and activation, adjusting the enterprise organizational structure, and establishing a digital and flexible leadership style. It is expected to help enterprises pay attention to the leadership characteristics at each stage of knowledge management, promote the process of knowledge management by improving leadership development strategies, and further promote the development of enterprise knowledge management.

Getting ‘more and more comfortable’: using an Activist Approach in a dance PE content course

ABSTRACT Background Despite the value dance can bring to people’s lives, many physical educators find dance intimidating (Goodwin [2010]. “Dance is Not a Dirty Word.” Strategies 24 (1): 10–12.). Teachers’ self-consciousness becomes problematic if they negotiate this discomfort by omitting dance as a movement option (MacLean [2018]. “Teachers as Agents of Change in Curricular Reform: The Position of Dance Revisited.” Sport, Education and Society 23 (6): 563–577.). Given the relationship many physical educators have with dance, teacher educators need to be proactive in how they teach dance content. While many preservice teachers enter programs of study with sport proficiencies, they do not necessarily come with that same level of ability in dance (Rovegno and Bandhauer [2017]. Elementary Physical Education: Curriculum and Instruction. 2nd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.). While teaching dance can glean from studies of pedagogical strategies employed in sports-related content, we cannot rely on such generalizations because of preservice teachers’ embodied discomfort associated with dance (Rovegno [1992]. “Learning a New Curricular Approach: Mechanisms of Knowledge Acquisition in Preservice Teachers.” Teaching and Teacher Education 8 (3): 253–264.). Purpose: This study was designed to listen to preservice teachers and respond with them to help understand and negotiate their barriers to dance. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the use of an Activist Approach (Oliver and Kirk [2015]. Girls, Gender, and Physical Education: An Activist Approach. New York: Routledge.) to teaching a dance content course for physical education preservice teachers. Methods This participatory action research project worked with participants to take ‘action on their own behalf as part of their own communities’ (Merriam and Tisdell [2016]. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation, 58. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.). This study occurred in a required dance content course at a United States southwestern university, meeting twice weekly for 50-minutes for 16 weeks from August-December 2019. The Activist Approach to teaching through the lens of Student-Centred Inquiry as Curriculum was used for data collection. Data sources included participant artifacts, focus groups, individual interviews, video recording, researcher journal, and peer debriefing. Data analysis was three-fold. Level one was ongoing for implementation in the course. Level two occurred after the completion of the course. The researchers then discussed together what they noted, which prompted level three to look for connections and motifs that recurred to crystallize the data. Findings We discuss two themes: (1) understanding and negotiating student tensions associated with discomfort in dance and (2) students’ willingness to take risks in dance despite discomfort. Conclusions We discuss our findings in relation to risks preservice teachers were willing to take despite their embodied discomfort. Using the Activist Approach as a framework helped structure a class that allowed preservice teachers to take risks to try new things and experiment beyond their comfort zones. By explicitly helping them identify and negotiate the discomfort to move through it, we offered the preservice teachers a process that will help them move forward so that they can teach kids whether sports, fitness, or dance.

The effect of perceived rewards on radical innovation: the mediating role of knowledge management in Indian manufacturing firms

This paper examines the mechanisms through which employees’ perception of rewards influences their radical innovation. The paper develops and empirically tests a model proposing that perceived rewards influence radical innovation via the mediating mechanisms of knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing. Data from three Indian manufacturing companies were collected using a questionnaire. Responses from 235 employees were analysed (using structural equation modeling via AMOS27) to examine the links between perceived rewards, knowledge sharing, knowledge acquisition, and radical innovation. The findings showed that: 1) perceived rewards had positive and significant relationships with radical innovation, knowledge acquisition, and knowledge sharing; 2) knowledge acquisition had a positive and significant relation with radical innovation, but knowledge sharing was not significantly related to radical innovation; and 3) knowledge acquisition mediated the relationship between perceived rewards and radical innovation. No support was found for the mediating role of knowledge sharing in radical innovation. The paper examines the overlooked role of perceived rewards in facilitating knowledge behaviours and radical innovation. In addition, the practices examined in the model are assessed as perceived by employees, rather than as perceived or intended by managers.

해양수산자원 교육체계 구축을 위한 지식습득 기작 연구

This study is to establish an education system for assessing and managing marine fisheries resources for achieving sustainable fisheries, which are known to be at a significantly degraded state. Typical contemporary methodologies for fish stock assessment and management were reviewed. The mechanism and process of knowledge acquisition were analyzed and restructured, based on Zhang (2019)

Intelligent Computing: Knowledge Acquisition Method Based on the Management Scale Transformation

Abstract The widespread scale effect always generates significant changes in the properties or characteristics of management objects with different observation scales. Thus, this paper studies the scale transformation mechanism problem of management objects. The observation scale hierarchy (management scale) with clear management objectives could automatically be recognized through changing the observation scales, in order to improve the practical management efficiency. Firstly, an intelligent computing framework based on the scale transformation is established, which reduces the over-dependency of human involvement in traditional scale transformation methods. Then, the scale characteristic reasoning inference is put forward to improve the knowledge acquisition mechanism of scale transformation. Finally, a knowledge acquisition algorithm based on the variable-scale clustering (KAVSC) is proposed. Experiments selected the multiple products inventory data of a manufacturing enterprise from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. The experiment results illustrate that the proposed algorithm KAVSC is able to accurately recognize different management scale levels and scale characteristics of each product, which could effectively support managers making differentiated inventory management plans.

Two Heads Are Better Than One—Entrepreneurial Continuous Learning through Massive Open Online Courses

Globalisation and digital technology have changed the means and mechanisms of knowledge acquisition. The rapidly expanding open-access online resources and various digital learning platforms present new opportunities in the area of continuous entrepreneurial learning, including that of corporate employees. This paper draws on knowledge spillover theory in order to explore the potential of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as enablers of knowledge exchange, consolidation and new knowledge creation through connecting geographically and institutionally distant actors. The research design is based on a qualitative interpretative approach exploiting a triangulation of methods by using sets of quantitative data collected from MOOC participants, five focus group interviews and text content of online course discussion groups. This study contributes to our understanding of how digital technologies enable entrepreneurial learning on a massive scale. It identifies three factors which can trigger intense horizontal knowledge spillovers on a massive scale: (i) participants’ common interests and aspirations, (ii) induced mobilisation, and (iii) participants’ optional anonymity. Additionally, the findings of this study provide useful information for potential MOOC creators regarding the design and delivery of MOOCs targeting a high density of participant interactions.

Network architectures supporting learnability.

Human learners acquire complex interconnected networks of relational knowledge. The capacity for such learning naturally depends on two factors: the architecture (or informational structure) of the knowledge network itself and the architecture of the computational unit—the brain—that encodes and processes the information. That is, learning is reliant on integrated network architectures at two levels: the epistemic and the computational, or the conceptual and the neural. Motivated by a wish to understand conventional human knowledge, here, we discuss emerging work assessing network constraints on the learnability of relational knowledge, and theories from statistical physics that instantiate the principles of thermodynamics and information theory to offer an explanatory model for such constraints. We then highlight similarities between those constraints on the learnability of relational networks, at one level, and the physical constraints on the development of interconnected patterns in neural systems, at another level, both leading to hierarchically modular networks. To support our discussion of these similarities, we employ an operational distinction between the modeller (e.g. the human brain), the model (e.g. a single human’s knowledge) and the modelled (e.g. the information present in our experiences). We then turn to a philosophical discussion of whether and how we can extend our observations to a claim regarding explanation and mechanism for knowledge acquisition. What relation between hierarchical networks, at the conceptual and neural levels, best facilitate learning? Are the architectures of optimally learnable networks a topological reflection of the architectures of comparably developed neural networks? Finally, we contribute to a unified approach to hierarchies and levels in biological networks by proposing several epistemological norms for analysing the computational brain and social epistemes, and for developing pedagogical principles conducive to curious thought.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Unifying the essential concepts of biological networks: biological insights and philosophical foundations’.

Putting social cognitive mechanisms back into cumulative technological culture: Social interactions serve as a mechanism for children's early knowledge acquisition.

Osiurak and Reynaud offer a unified cognitive approach to cumulative technological culture, arguing that it begins with non-social cognitive skills that allow humans to learn and develop new technical information. Drawing on research focusing on how children acquire knowledge through interactions others, we argue that social learning is essential for humans to acquire technical information.

Aprendizagem Tecnológica: uma Análise da Contribuição dos Mecanismos de Aquisição e Conversão do Conhecimento para o Acúmulo da Capacidade Tecnológica

Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar os processos de aprendizagem e identificar os mecanismos de aquisição e conversão de conhecimento que contribuem significativamente para o processo de acúmulo de capacidade tecnológica. A fim de alcançar tais objetivos, realizou-se um estudo exploratório junto a 44 empresas do setor de bens de capital mecânico no Brasil. Para analisar a contribuição dos mecanismos de aquisição e conversão de conhecimento, foram utilizados o Índice de Capacidade Tecnológica (ICT) e a regressão linear múltipla com seleção de variáveis stepwise. Os resultados da análise econométrica revelaram a aderência de poucos mecanismos de aprendizagem para a aquisição externa de conhecimento, aquisição interna de conhecimento e codificação de conhecimento. O uso de apenas um ou outro mecanismo, por mais eficiente que se apresente, não é suficiente para contribuir e explicar o ICT. É necessário ampliar e aprimorar continuamente uma variedade de mecanismos em todos os tipos de processos de aprendizagem, para rotinizar a conversão de aprendizagem individual em organizacional.

The effect of acquisitions on exploration and exploitation in China

Purpose The mechanisms of knowledge acquisition and their impact on innovation are particularly relevant in the context of rapidly growing emerging markets. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between firm acquisition characteristics and post-acquisition knowledge exploration and exploitation in the Chinese domestic acquisition market. Design/methodology/approach By using patent and company data of 188 domestic Chinese deals completed between 2002 and 2013, the paper replicates the measurements and analytical methods of the US-based study by Phene, Tallman and Almeida (2012) to address the acquirer’s opportunity to explore and/or exploit external knowledge, its ability to absorb and effectively assimilate such knowledge and thus establish innovations in new technologies. Findings The paper finds support for a positive effect of knowledge uniqueness of the target on the bidder’s post-acquisition exploration. The findings also support that the post-acquisition exploitation is facilitated by the commonality of technological knowledge between the bidder and the target, a result that, although expected, was not be supported in the US-based study. Originality/value This paper qualifies the generalizability of US-based findings about post-acquisition exploration and exploitation in the context of China. It also responds to the call for China-focused knowledge management research by capturing innovation capability building by Chinese firms through domestic acquisitions. Finally, it contributes to the nascent literature on replication in management studies.

Pursuing superior performance of service innovation through improved corporate social responsibility

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the performance of service innovation (PSI), and the mediating effect of knowledge acquisition. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on social exchange and knowledge management theories, this paper establishes a relevant conceptual model and adopts a hierarchical regression analysis to examine the model with a data set of 298 firms from China. Findings CSR positively affects the PSI; however, the effects vary when firms take responsibility for different stakeholders. CSR for the same group of stakeholders influences differently the short-term financial and long-term non-financial PSI, whereas knowledge acquisition mediates the impact of employee and customer CSR on PSI, but not the impact of community CSR on PSI. Practical implications Managers could improve the PSI of the firm by strategically assuming CSR and by managing corporate knowledge acquisition activities. Originality/value This study contributes to the service innovation literature by identifying the influence of particular types of CSR on PSI, and by highlighting the influencing mechanism of knowledge acquisition. It extends scholarly understanding of the antecedents of PSI as well as the business returns to CSR.

Self-Paced AutoEncoder

Autoencoder, which learns latent representations of samples in an unsupervised manner, has great potential in computer vision and signal processing. However, the diversity of samples makes learning a component autoencoder remaining a challenging task. This letter proposes a novel Self-Paced AutoEncoder (SPAE) for unsupervised feature extraction. The motivation behind this letter is to take samples gradually from simple to complex into consideration during training, which is similar to the mechanism of knowledge acquisition for humans. Under the unsupervised learning framework constructed on the autoencoder infrastructure, our SPAE first learns a weak autoencoder via samples with small losses and, then, elevates itself to a relatively strong autoencoder through samples with large losses. Then, the SPAE is generalized to a temporal domain, resulting to temporal SPAE (TSPAE), where the temporal information is explored and exploited to improve the performance. Typically, a TSPAE is capable of compressing temporal sequences into temporal-independent data. Experiments on the image classification and action recognition demonstrate the effectiveness of SPAE and TSPAE.

Design Thinking for Social Innovation in Health Care

Design has a potential to envision alternative futures for health care through new forms of innovation. In this paper, we propose a strategic framework for fostering a culture of design thinking for social innovation in health care. Drawing upon the theory of design (and its thinking), in conjunction with global and national health care strategies and policies, we critically reflect on pedagogical approaches for enhancing the curriculum in design as a means of discussing the need for new thinking in health. Findings to date suggest that new mechanisms of knowledge acquisition, application, and exploration are needed to address the complex challenges facing social and health care. Referring to the national health care strategies, connections are made with design thinking, social innovation, health and social care to facilitate a transition from applying design as a process to applying design as a strategy for cultural transformation.

Inventor mobility and the formation of technology-oriented alliances

We study how competitive mechanisms of external knowledge acquisition affect the emergence of interfirm collaboration. Specifically, we link the hiring of R&D scientists from competing firms to the...

Comprehensible knowledge model creation for cancer treatment decision making

Background: A wealth of clinical data exists in clinical documents in the form of electronic health records (EHRs). This data can be used for developing knowledge-based recommendation systems that can assist clinicians in clinical decision making and education. One of the big hurdles in developing such systems is the lack of automated mechanisms for knowledge acquisition to enable and educate clinicians in informed decision making. Materials and Methods: An automated knowledge acquisition methodology with a comprehensible knowledge model for cancer treatment (CKM-CT) is proposed. With the CKM-CT, clinical data are acquired automatically from documents. Quality of data is ensured by correcting errors and transforming various formats into a standard data format. Data preprocessing involves dimensionality reduction and missing value imputation. Predictive algorithm selection is performed on the basis of the ranking score of the weighted sum model. The knowledge builder prepares knowledge for knowledge-based services: clinical decisions and education support. Results: Data is acquired from 13,788 head and neck cancer (HNC) documents for 3447 patients, including 1526 patients of the oral cavity site. In the data quality task, 160 staging values are corrected. In the preprocessing task, 20 attributes and 106 records are eliminated from the dataset. The Classification and Regression Trees (CRT) algorithm is selected and provides 69.0% classification accuracy in predicting HNC treatment plans, consisting of 11 decision paths that yield 11 decision rules. Conclusion: Our proposed methodology, CKM-CT, is helpful to find hidden knowledge in clinical documents. In CKM-CT, the prediction models are developed to assist and educate clinicians for informed decision making. The proposed methodology is generalizable to apply to data of other domains such as breast cancer with a similar objective to assist clinicians in decision making and education.

Des processus d’acquisition de connaissances professionnelles chez deux professeurs des écoles lors d'un enseignement de sciences

This paper focuses on the theme of professional knowledge mobilized by teachers at elementary school in teaching sciences. This study was conducted in the context of the teaching of electricity in grade 5 and in grade 4 in France. It comes to analyzing teachers' knowledge acquisition mechanisms. The theoretical approach articulates science didactics and professional didactics as well as on a methodology that we developed specifically for this research. Unexpected events lead to a short regulation loop which allows the teacher to adjust his preparation. During this regulation, new professional knowledge is acquired. This study identifies some elements concerning the acquisition of professional experience.

The role of organizational learning in stakeholder marketing

As the roles of customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, regulators, and communities become more significant in today’s business environment, a precise understanding of the organization’s internal drivers in delivering value to its stakeholders is critical. To this end, this study integrates stakeholder theory and the organizational learning literature to propose that stakeholder-focused organizational learning drives organizations to respond to their stakeholders. Using a sample of 349 organizations, we introduce three stakeholder-focused knowledge acquisition mechanisms (experiential, vicarious, and contact) and, along with the other organizational learning processes (information distribution, information interpretation, and organizational memory), examine their influence on the behavioral actions of stakeholder-focused responsiveness, innovation, and imitation. Subsequently, we assess the impact of these behavioral actions on organizational performance. Overall, the results show that stakeholder-focused organizational learning is positively associated with responsiveness. More uniquely, the propensity to employ innovative or imitative stakeholder practices is found to be influenced by the way the organization acquires information about stakeholders. Lastly, the findings suggest that simply responding to stakeholders does not guarantee superior performance, but the manner in which the organization responds matters just as much.