TY - JOUR
T1 - An exploratory study of knowledge flows
T2 - A case study of Public Sector Procurement
AU - Hazlett, Shirley Ann
AU - McAdam, Rodney
AU - Beggs, Victor
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2008 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2008/1
Y1 - 2008/1
N2 - The Knowledge Management discourse continues to develop in relation to both theory and practice. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies of Knowledge Management in the public sector. In this sector the flow of people-based knowledge (knowledge transfer) across processes and different organizational levels has more significance than that of the private sector. The aim of the paper is to explore the flow of knowledge (knowledge transfer), from document/contract preparation through to site implementation for a Public Sector Procurement Agency. A series of multi-level semi-structured interviews and secondary data is used. The findings show the need for an increased emphasis on lateral knowledge transfer and a diminishing of the traditional pyramidal approach to knowledge. Enabling influences included managing the development of experienced staff, appropriate ICT systems and collaborative teams. Barriers included over-reliance on consultants with consequent loss of experience and lack of empowerment of on-site engineers.
AB - The Knowledge Management discourse continues to develop in relation to both theory and practice. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies of Knowledge Management in the public sector. In this sector the flow of people-based knowledge (knowledge transfer) across processes and different organizational levels has more significance than that of the private sector. The aim of the paper is to explore the flow of knowledge (knowledge transfer), from document/contract preparation through to site implementation for a Public Sector Procurement Agency. A series of multi-level semi-structured interviews and secondary data is used. The findings show the need for an increased emphasis on lateral knowledge transfer and a diminishing of the traditional pyramidal approach to knowledge. Enabling influences included managing the development of experienced staff, appropriate ICT systems and collaborative teams. Barriers included over-reliance on consultants with consequent loss of experience and lack of empowerment of on-site engineers.
KW - Conceptual framework
KW - Flows
KW - Knowledge Management
KW - Knowledge transfer
KW - Public sector
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=39449123775&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14783360701602205
DO - 10.1080/14783360701602205
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:39449123775
VL - 19
SP - 57
EP - 66
JO - Total Quality Management and Business Excellence
JF - Total Quality Management and Business Excellence
SN - 1478-3363
IS - 1-2
ER -