The Transfer of Knowledge in Intra-Organizational Networks: A Case Study Analysis

• Authors: Włodzimierz Sroka , Joanna Cygler , Bożena Gajdzik
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

`Background: In today’s business environment, a company is able to maintain its competitive position if it constantly generates knowledge and disseminates this knowledge within the organization, as well as transforms it into new competences. The ability to transfer knowledge becomes one of the key factors in the improvement of a company’s competitive position. This hypothesis is applicable particularly in the case of cooperation within networks, as they are an excellent opportunity for mutual learning between partners. Objectives: The purpose of the paper is to analyse the process of knowledge transfer in intra-organizational networks. Method: Due to the specificity of the research object, the case study method has been chosen. In order to make an in-depth analysis of the case study, we selected a group of several criteria based on the theory which we believe to be fundamental to the effectiveness of knowledge management in networks, and compared them with the situation in the ArcelorMittal Group. Results: Our research show that ArcelorMittal Group has met almost all the criteria of effective knowledge management in its intra-organizational network. Some exceptions, albeit merely to an extent, are mostly the result of historical circumstances, , i.e. the process of growth through acquisitions, and the acquisition of companies at different stages of organizational development, as well as organizational culture. Conclusion: Based on theoretical assumptions, the study analysed in details the components of knowledge management applied by the corporation in question. Therefore this study might be utilised to formulate a refutable hypothesis and verify them on a larger group of companies from different sectors of the economy. The main limitations of the paper are mostly related to the inherent approach therein

Keywords

EN

knowledge; knowledge transfer; knowledge management; network; case study analysis

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Organizacija
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 47
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 24-34

Dates

published

2014-02-01

online

2014-03-06

Contributors

author

Włodzimierz Sroka

• Department of Management, Academy of Business in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Cieplaka Street 1c, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland

author

Joanna Cygler

• Warsaw School of Economics, Institute of Management, Niepodległości ave. 162, 02-554 Warszawa, Poland

author

Bożena Gajdzik

• Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, The Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice Akademicka street 2A, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/orga-2014-0003