Why knowledge sharing is not easy? A case study of blockchain application in a global electronic engineering company

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

School of Business | Master's thesis

Authors

Date

2019

Department

Johtamisen laitos

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

International Design Business Management

Language

en

Pages

95+25

Series

Abstract

Research objective The objective of this study is to gain an understanding of what are the practical factors affecting the phenomenon of knowledge sharing. The thesis studied the status of knowledge sharing within a global electronic engineering company, particularly about blockchain applicable digital products and services in OEM targeting business and see what factors provoke or prevent sharing activities. The background of this study is knowledge sharing with the external and internal entities of organisations and among individuals which finally promotes the innovative capacity of organisations. This study focuses on understanding the phenomenon of knowledge sharing in the practical case as exploring the factors enabling and hindering knowledge sharing within the case organisation. Methodology This study adopts a qualitative single case approach by interviewing eleven different managers who are mostly working for either OEM business or the development of digital products and services. The data was gathered by using thematic semi-structured in-depth interviews. The theoretical framework of this study combines naturalistic inquiry method and the constant comparison technique to present the main enablers and barriers of knowledge sharing. Research findings The structure of different teams based on occupations creates the essence of the situation in which sharing knowledge between individuals from a different team is difficult. Each team learns and accepts new information from outside of the organisation following occupational professionalism and interests. These interests towards profession-related knowledge help knowledge sharing within the same team as supporting team members to perform their jobs better and use the same channels to share the ideas. Furthermore, the open-minded attitude of informants indicates the willingness of learning and sharing new knowledge with others. Although knowledge is shared within the team, it is still stuck to each team or department, thereby prompting a need for support to share the knowledge over the wall. However, the lack of strategic support from management and the conservative time-control culture have created a negative impact on knowledge-sharing activities as an environmental background. Managerial support is crucial for promoting knowledge sharing within the organisation because it affects not only the policy and regulations but also the organisational culture.

Description

Thesis advisor

Lehtonen, Miikka J.

Keywords

knowledge sharing, organisational knowledge, organisation science, knowledge management, blockchain application, innovation, innovative capacity

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Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201909295519

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[gradu] Kauppakorkeakoulu / BIZ