Knowledge Utilization Processes Research Articles

Promoting Machine Abilities of Discovering and Utilizing Knowledge in a Unified Zero-shot Learning Paradigm

Knowledge discovery and utilization are two essential cognitive processes that enable humans to understand the world and extract new insights from their surroundings. These processes have motivated machine learning studies, particularly zero-shot learning (ZS), which seeks to identify unseen concepts through the use of side information. Previous ZS studies primarily focused on utilizing existing knowledge to infer unseen events, yet they overlook the crucial process of knowledge discovery and the integrated modeling of these knowledge-aware processes. In this study, we present a comprehensive ZS learning approach that explores and evaluates the machine's abilities of discovering and utilizing knowledge. More specifically, to emulate human-like knowledge discovery and utilization processes, we propose a novel visual-aware ZS knowledge graph completion task for evaluation, incorporating a traditional ZS image classification task. Technically, we develop a unified ZS learning paradigm named Cognitive Learner (CoLa) to foster the two knowledge-aware abilities. Including a knowledge representation learning (KRL) module and a knowledge adaptation (KA) module, CoLa adapts well to the two specified tasks with the corresponding data. Extensive experiments on large-scale datasets demonstrate CoLa models’ outstanding performance over compared methods in the two ZS tasks, illustrating their superior ability of discovering and utilizing knowledge.

Knowledge Production in a Territorial Network of Organizations: Identifying the Determinants in the Case of Moroccan Technopole

Globalization has led to a geographical concentration of economic activities, known as territorialized networks of organizations, especially technopoles. That is why the knowledge process takes on new dimensions and requires a multidimensional and dynamic approach. This study aims to analyze factors of knowledge production dynamics in technopoles based on a conceptual model that is elaborated based on the literature review and tested in a technopole’s environment, knowledge creation, knowledge transfer, and knowledge utilization processes. We used partial least squares structural equation modeling confirmatory composite analysis techniques to test the validity and reliability of the model. The technopole actors’ heterogeneous nature allowed us to use a stratified sampling technique. The data were collected from 303 respondents from four technopoles in Morocco. Our findings indicate the existence of a strong influence of the factors presented in the research model on knowledge production dynamics in technopoles. Moreover, the technopole actors’ contribution to the creation, transfer, and utilization of knowledge is more likely to be effective in increasing knowledge production dynamics within the network. The technopoles are likely to be more successful in regions that have the properties of a large, diversified, and well-established metropolitan economy, a robust research base, and an entrepreneurial culture where stakeholders are actively engaged. Our study is the first to analyze the dynamics of knowledge production in Moroccan territorialized networks of organizations (i.e., technopoles). This study provides insights to managers in formulating efficient knowledge production strategies in technopoles and offers suggestions at three levels: actors of technopoles, technopoles, and regional actors.

Research on digital knowledge management model within enterprises

In the era of digital economy, the digital transformation of enterprise management mode has greatly promoted the efficiency of internal knowledge utilization and enterprise innovation process, while the construction mechanism of enterprise digital management still needs to be theoretically explored. This paper adopts literature research method to define the concept of knowledge digitization and discusses the motives and mechanisms of the operation mechanism of the internal knowledge digitization management mode of enterprises based on the perspective of the whole life cycle management of data. Digital technology is incorporated into the enterprise internal knowledge management system, and digital knowledge management organization makes the knowledge in the enterprise knowledge management system more interrelated and more intelligent and convenient in solving business. It promotes the in-depth and universal development of the theory of intra-enterprise knowledge management mode and provides practical reference for improving the level of enterprise knowledge management.

Using Health Systems and Policy Research to Achieve Universal Health Coverage in Ghana.

Ghana is positioned to become the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to implement universal health coverage based on nationwide expansion of geographic access through the Community-based Health Planning and Services initiative. This achievement is the outcome of 3 decades of implementation research that health authorities have used for guiding the development of its primary health care program. This implementation research process has comprised Ghana's official endorsement of the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration, leading to the institutionalization of evidence relevant to the strategic design of primary health care and national health insurance policies and services. Rather than relying solely upon the dissemination of project results, Ghana has embraced a continuous and systemic process of knowledge capture, curation, and utilization of evidence in expanding geographic access by a massive expansion in the number of community health service points that has taken decades. A multisectoral approach has been pursued that has involved the creation of systematic partnerships that included all levels of the political system, local development officials, community groups and social networks, multiple university-based disciplines, external development partners, and donors. However, efforts to achieve high levels of financial access through the roll-out of the National Health Insurance Scheme have proceeded at a less consistent pace and been fraught with many challenges. As a result, financial access has been less comprehensive than geographical access despite sequential reforms having been made to both programs. The legacy of activities and current research on primary health care and national health insurance are reviewed together with unaddressed priorities that merit attention in the future. Factors that have facilitated or impeded progress with research utilization are reviewed and implications for health systems strengthening in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa and globally are discussed.

The relationship between knowledge management and leadership: mapping the field and providing future research avenues

PurposeEffectively handling knowledge is crucial for any organization to survive and prosper in the turbulent environments of the modern era. Leadership is a central element for knowledge creation, acquisition, utilization and integration processes. Based on these considerations, this study aims to offer an overview of the evolution of the literature regarding the knowledge management-leadership relationship published over the past 20 years.Design/methodology/approachA bibliometric analysis coupled with a systematic literature review were performed over a data set of 488 peer-reviewed articles published from 1990 to 2018.FindingsThe authors discovered the existence of four well-polarized clusters with the following thematic focusses: human and relational aspects, systematic and performance aspects, contextual and contingent aspects and cultural and learning aspects. The authors then investigated each thematic cluster by reviewing the most relevant contributions within them.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the bibliometric analysis and the systematic literature review, the authors developed an interpretative framework aimed at uncovering several promising and little explored research areas, thus suggesting an agenda for future knowledge management-leadership research. Some steps of the paper selection process may have been biased by the interpretation of the researcher. The authors addressed this concern by performing a multiple human subject reading process whose reliability was confirmed by a Krippendorf’s alpha coefficient value >0.80.Originality/valueTo the best knowledge, this is the first study to map, systematize and discuss the literature concerned to the topic of the knowledge management-leadership relationship.

Fostering implementation of knowledge into health practice: study protocol for the validation and redevelopment of the Knowledge Uptake and Utilization Tool

BackgroundMeasurement of what knowledge is taken-up and how that information is used to inform practice and policies can provide an understanding about the effectiveness of knowledge uptake and utilization processes. In 2007, the Knowledge Uptake and Utilization Tool (KUUT) was developed to evaluate the implementation of knowledge into practice. The KUUT has been used by numerous large health organizations despite limited validity evidence and a narrow understanding about how the tool is used in practice and interpreted by users. As such, the overall purpose of this protocol is to redevelop the KUUT and gather validity evidence to examine and support its use in various health-related organizations. This protocol paper outlines a validation and redevelopment procedure for the KUUT using the unitary view of validity.MethodsThe protocol outlined in this article proceeds through four phases, starting with redeveloping the tool, then evaluating validity evidence based on: test content, response processes and internal structure. The initial phase gathers information to redevelop the tool, and evaluates item content and response format. The second phase evaluates response process validity evidence by examining how a variety of users interact with the tool. In the third phase, the tool will be pilot tested with knowledge users and, in the final phase, psychometric properties of the tool will be examined and a final scoring structure will be determined. A knowledge translation plan described herein outlines where the final tool will be housed and how the information about the tool will be disseminated.DiscussionThis protocol outlines a procedure to gather different sources of validity evidence for the KUUT. By addressing limitations in the original KUUT, such as complexities with scoring, a redeveloped KUUT supporting validity evidence will enhance the ability of health-related organizations to effectively use this tool for its intended purpose.

How to utilize tacit knowledge in health organizations: An Iranian perspective.

Background: Studies show that 90% of an organization’s knowledge is embedded and synthesized in its employees’ minds. Thus, when employees leave the organization or their positions change, their valuable knowledge, skills, and experiences are lost, however, if used properly, tacit knowledge can be a source of innovation and competitive advantage in an organization. This study aimed at exploring the methods for sharing and utilizing tacit knowledge in health organizations. Methods: In this study, qualitative approach was adopted to explore ways of utilizing tacit knowledge in health organizations. Tacit knowledge experts, who had published at least one relevant article, conducted 17 individual and 2 group interviews. Purposeful sampling was used to select the participants. Methods for sharing and utilizing tacit knowledge were explored by holding in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The results were summarized into 5 categories and 18 themes. The categories included ‘identification of different dimensions of organizational knowledge’, ‘prerequisites of tacit knowledge utilization’, ‘defining the process of tacit knowledge utilization’, ‘converting tacit to explicit knowledge’, and ‘converting tacit to tacit knowledge’. Participants believed that the process of converting tacit to explicit knowledge was a cyclical process that included the understanding the existing situation and detecting knowledge entry points, identifying knowledge items and harvesting them, assessment, codification, and standardization, entry into knowledge repository, and updating. Conclusion: Our results revealed that health organizations need the prerequisites of tacit knowledge sharing to acquire the capacity to utilize this kind of knowledge. Because the themes extracted in this study are rarely used in health organizations, the results will be helpful in guiding the development of knowledge utilization strategies and planning in these organizations.

Knowledge Utilization Process in Highway Construction Projects

The purpose of this paper is to determine knowledge utilization process and its influence on the performance of construction projects. Two cases of highway projects in Malaysia were used to develop a knowledge utilization model for managing time-related issues (i.e., factors causing project delay). The selected projects were similar in terms of size and scope, but the first project suffered from delay, while the second project was completed ahead of schedule. The findings traced the influence of knowledge utilization processes on project performance. The developed model was comprised of knowledge acquisition; knowledge conversion (knowledge sharing, creation, and integration); and new knowledge utilization. Also, the roles of three factors, namely, competence, teamwork, and time pressure, were highlighted in this model. This study shows knowledge utilization process while developing new solutions or making decisions about issues in the site and other daily problems that the project team is facing in road construction projects. The study emphasizes the significance of knowledge utilization to overcome time-related issues and enhance project performance.

Nonmimetic Knowledge and Innovation Performance: Empirical Evidence from Developing Countries

The knowledge‐based view suggests that the innovative performance of a firm is a function of the utilization and recombination of internal and external knowledge. The process of knowledge utilization and recombination to create new products can occur internally, through research and development activities, as well as externally, by making investments in creating links with suppliers, universities, customers, and a wide range of actors in the innovation system. This study focuses on the impact of unique, nonmimetic external knowledge, which is defined as unique technological knowledge that is not tapped by other firms in the new venture's operating environment, on the new venture's innovative performance. The purpose of the research is to investigate whether firms really benefit from utilizing and recombining unique, nonmimetic knowledge in creating innovative products in a developing country context. Drawing on the knowledge‐based view and institutional theory, this study argues that entrepreneurs in their utilization and recombination of unique, nonmimetic knowledge are not always successful at creating new products. The empirical context is drawn from the Enterprise Survey produced by the Investment Climate Group of the World Bank. The findings based on a large sample of new ventures in developing countries reveal a curvilinear relationship with marginal diminishing returns between the degree of unique, nonmimetic knowledge and innovative performance. The results also show significant moderating effects of strategic product planning and economic and regulatory policy uncertainty. Specifically, strategic product planning helps in converting very unique, nonmimetic knowledge into new products. In addition, policy uncertainty can also positively moderate the process of recombining and converting unique, nonmimetic knowledge into new products. This study provides a more complete account of how unique, nonmimetic external knowledge affects innovative performance of new ventures in developing countries.

Evidence Molded by Contact with Staff Culture and Patient Milieu: an Analysis of the Social Process of Knowledge Utilization in Nursing Homes

Knowledge utilization is politically “hot” because it informs decisions on improving the quality of care in nursing homes (NHs). The difficulties encountered in implementing evidence-based knowledge into practice may be explained by contextual factors. Contextual factors are crucial to understanding the process of knowledge utilization; how the evidence’ is implemented and received locally by identifying facilitators, as well as barriers to change. This article is based on an evidence-based education intervention executed by four teams of two facilitators with care staff, which aimed to prevent the use of restraint in nursing home (NH) residents with dementia in 24 NHs in Norway. The study used a mixed method design combining cluster randomized controlled trial (C-RCT), participatory action research (PAR) and ethnography, where the aim was to document and examine the success or failure of the education intervention. The empirical material for this paper is primarily based on a post –intervention ethnographic investigation in three NHs in the sample, to investigate the relationship between an education intervention and staff culture. The ethnographic investigation gave a setting and context-specific plausible explanation of why the educational intervention failed or succeeded. This study has shown that the social process of knowledge utilization is influenced by contextual factors such as staff culture, patient mix and milieu as well as structural conditions. The NH conditions are not stable, but rather moving and constantly changing as a response to variation in the staff culture, the patient mix, the resources available and the nursing homes current situation. Therefore, the evidence in connection with staff culture could be understood as “a ball of clay” molding itself differently when coming in touch with staff culture and their collective and individual experiences. Potential for a successful process of knowledge utilization has to do with timing and organizational readiness, which is difficult to foresee when planning an education intervention.

Contextualized Relationship Between Knowledge Sharing and Performance in Software Development

We study how the knowledge that software developers receive from other software developers in their company impacts their performance. We also study the boundary conditions of this relationship. The results of our empirical study indicate that receiving knowledge from other software developers in the company is positively related to the performance of the knowledge-receiving software developers. Moreover, this relationship was stronger when the software developers had high rather than low task autonomy, when they had high- rather than low-quality social exchanges with their supervisors, and when the software development firms used formal knowledge utilization processes. Theoretically, these results contribute to a better understanding of the processes through which software developers utilize the knowledge that they receive from their peers in the firm. Practically, they show software development firms how emphasizing the task, social, and institutional dimensions of the software development process can help them increase knowledge utilization and performance in software development.

Modularity in building mass customization capability: The mediating effects of customization knowledge utilization and business process improvement

This study investigates the relationships among product/process modularity, organizational learning practices, and mass customization (MC) capability. Drawing on organizational learning theory, we propose that organizational learning practices help to embed the knowledge gained from modular design practices into organizational processes, enhancing MC capability. We empirically test the mediating effects of two organizational learning practices—customization knowledge utilization and business process improvement—on the relationship between product/process modularity and MC capability, using data collected from Chinese manufacturers. We find strong support for the mediating role of organizational learning practices in the relationship between modularity and MC capability. Our findings have implications for management strategies and point to directions for further research in this area.

Work-Group Knowledge Acquisition in Knowledge Intensive Public-Sector Organizations: An Exploratory Study

Given that the performance of public-sector organizations is tied to the efficient use of knowledge, this exploratory study examined factors that influence knowledge acquisition by work groups in knowledge-intensive public-sector organizations. Based upon a review of the absorptive capacity and knowledge management literature, we defined knowledge acquisition as the change in the collective knowledge of groups over time. The amount of individual prior knowledge, and common knowledge among group members, managerial practices, and perceptions of knowledge applicability were identified as independent variables. Data were collected from 179 individuals representing 28 work groups in 7 public-sector organizations. Using multi-level regression, we found that homogeneity of knowledge at the group level and perceptions of knowledge applicability influenced acquisition, but that, contrary to much of the literature in this domain, prior-related knowledge did not have such an influence. Middle-management practices moderated the impact of knowledge applicability, suggesting that middle managers provide contextual information that permits group members to better understand the relevance of external knowledge. Implications for practice include the importance of training staff in teams to build homogeneity of knowledge, and ensuring that middle managers understand the organization’s strategy and their roles in the knowledge-utilization process. Implications for theory include the notion that prior knowledge can either encourage or obstruct knowledge acquisition.

Exploring policy innovation and the diffusion of the Bookstart programme in Taiwan: an information-based approach

The processes of policy innovation and diffusion involve policy information networks related to decision-making and knowledge utilization. This article seeks to ascertain the role of these processes in the diffusion of the Bookstart programme in Taiwan, which was initially implemented in Taichung County in 2003. The results of a questionnaire survey conducted in Taichung City show that policy innovation and diffusion decisions involved the information and knowledge utilization processes of policy members. However, the information network among members exhibited a vertical dissemination mechanism focused around formal and legal organizations. The implications for the future study of information networks and knowledge utilization in innovation diffusion studies are discussed.

Contribution mapping: a method for mapping the contribution of research to enhance its impact

BackgroundAt a time of growing emphasis on both the use of research and accountability, it is important for research funders, researchers and other stakeholders to monitor and evaluate the extent to which research contributes to better action for health, and find ways to enhance the likelihood that beneficial contributions are realized. Past attempts to assess research 'impact' struggle with operationalizing 'impact', identifying the users of research and attributing impact to research projects as source. In this article we describe Contribution Mapping, a novel approach to research monitoring and evaluation that aims to assess contributions instead of impacts. The approach focuses on processes and actors and systematically assesses anticipatory efforts that aim to enhance contributions, so-called alignment efforts. The approach is designed to be useful for both accountability purposes and for assisting in better employing research to contribute to better action for health.MethodsContribution Mapping is inspired by a perspective from social studies of science on how research and knowledge utilization processes evolve. For each research project that is assessed, a three-phase process map is developed that includes the main actors, activities and alignment efforts during research formulation, production and knowledge extension (e.g. dissemination and utilization). The approach focuses on the actors involved in, or interacting with, a research project (the linked actors) and the most likely influential users, who are referred to as potential key users. In the first stage, the investigators of the assessed project are interviewed to develop a preliminary version of the process map and first estimation of research-related contributions. In the second stage, potential key-users and other informants are interviewed to trace, explore and triangulate possible contributions. In the third stage, the presence and role of alignment efforts is analyzed and the preliminary results are shared with relevant stakeholders for feedback and validation. After inconsistencies are clarified or described, the results are shared with stakeholders for learning, improvement and accountability purposes.ConclusionContribution Mapping provides an interesting alternative to existing methods that aim to assess research impact. The method is expected to be useful for research monitoring, single case studies, comparing multiple cases and indicating how research can better be employed to contribute to better action for health.

Impact of Knowledge Management Practices on Innovative Capacity

Knowledge management is a process that enables organizations to learn, create, develop and apply necessary knowledge which makes organizations more profitable and innovative. The purpose of this article is to investigate the impact of knowledge management on the innovative capacity of an organization. Questionnaire method has been used to collect data from employees working in private telecommunication organizations. Extensive review of literature has been done to frame the dimensions of knowledge management and innovative capacity. Both scales have been duly purified and validated before the data analysis. Structural equation modelling has been done to investigate the relationship between knowledge management and innovation. The results revealed a significant relationship between knowledge management and innovation. Further, knowledge approach, knowledge protection and knowledge utilization processes of knowledge management affect technical as well as non-technical innovation.

Users' Knowledge Aquisition and Utilization in User-Product Interaction

When using an interactive product or system to achieve a goal, a user utilizes his/her existing knowledge and acquires new knowledge. Throughout this process, the user's knowledge is constantly modified and generated. In the current technological era, however, interactive products and systems do not provide enough opportunities for users to generate their own knowledge in interaction. Rather, knowledge needed for producing quality results tend to be hidden behind product operation, not communicated to users. As a result, users' experience in interaction tends to be confined to passive machine-operating procedures, and users may not be able to learn how to adjust their product use in order to achieve quality results in various situations. When designers seek to fully support users' goal achievement in interaction, they should consider how to support users' effective and efficient knowledge development. To this end, this particular paper aims to investigate users' knowledge acquisition and utilization process in their interaction with a product. This paper first defines what kinds of knowledge are involved in user-product interaction and what components and factors shape users' learning experience. Then, the effects of users' levels and types of knowledge on their knowledge process are investigated through some observational user studies. The observation results particularly emphasize that in order to achieve quality results through interaction, it is necessary for users to acquire and properly apply sufficient problem-solving knowledge of the domain of concern (i.e. domain knowledge).

Interpretive Ranking Process

Ranking of variables in any context is a central concern of the management process and decision-making. For example, the causes leading to defects/quality are to be ranked to identify crucial causes to be controlled on a priority basis; actions planned are to be ranked with respect to their influence/impact on the performance areas (or KRAs — Key Result Areas) for resource allocation and prioritization. The management process at large is concerned with selectivity and prioritization and is treated at the extreme either based on intuitive judgment or rational choice process. There are strengths and limitations of both the extreme approaches and there is a growing trend to synthesize and balance the two extremes in decision-making. However, in either of the approaches the interpretation is not explicit and there might exist some weaknesses on the front of knowledge creation, storage and utilization processes. Some attempts in past have been made to develop interpretive models of decision-making such as sense making, mental models, organizational culture and so on. However, still there is lack of a ranking process that is rooted in interpretive perspective. This paper presents an ‘Interpretive Ranking Process (IRP)’, which uses Interpretive Matrix as a basic tool and pair comparison of interpretations in the matrix. This results into interpretive logic — knowledge base and a dominance matrix. All the dominance relationships and interpretations can be diagrammatically represented in the form of an ‘Interpretive Ranking Model’. The process is illustrated by an example of SAP-LAP (Situation-Actor-Process-Learning-Action-Performance) interactions (Sushil, 2000).

Improving Results for Nutrition: A Commentary on an Agenda and the Need for Implementation Research

Research and implementation often exist in separate worlds. To improve results for nutrition, the nutrition research community needs to go beyond “what” works to understand “how” it works. If they do not, nutrition research risks becoming irrelevant to the needs of those who actually make policies and implement programs. Researchers must prioritize research on effectiveness of policies and programs. They should incorporate knowledge and tools of social sciences, including economics, sociology, political science, and management into their work. They should pay greater attention to environmental and institutional variables and understand change strategies, knowledge utilization, and policy processes. Fundamentally, research on implementation should use a systematic approach to produce generalizable evidence and conceptual models, tools, and methods that are communicated effectively to policymakers and programmers. Nutrition researchers need not expand far beyond their disciplinary comfort zone to do this, but they do need to build bridges with other fields to have greater success in addressing nutritional challenges.

Completing the Cycle of Scholarship of Practice: A Model for Dissemination and Utilization of Evidence-Based Interventions

SUMMARYThe scholarship of practice stresses that knowledge should arise out of a dialogue and collaboration between scholars and practitioners. Bringing evidence back to practice completes the scholarship of practice cycle. This article describes a strategic approach to the process of knowledge dissemination and utilization and how that approach was used to increase knowledge and utilization of the Matter of Balance fear of falling intervention among occupational therapy practitioners. To illustrate how the approach supported clinicians' efforts to engage in evidence-based practice, the paper features a description of actions taken by a Maine-based health care system to successfully integrate Matter of Balance into its programming. Recommendations to policy makers, researchers and clinicians based on the authors' experiences with approach are presented.