Abstract:
The subject of this Engineering Doctorate research is Knowledge Management (KM)
which is a philosophy for improving core business activities of a organisation based
upon the examination and development of its knowledge-base. A company knowledgebase
is made up of information that is generated from critical activities, e.g. product
development, marketing, sales, etc. and by the employees, customers and partners that
representthecreative,problem-solvingcapabilitiesofaorganisation.
This research
provides the automotive industry with a practical methodology that
translates the conceptual ideas of Knowledge Management (KM) into a working
programme with defined objectives, using industry terminology. The research also
developed a supporting analysis methodology that enables a effective examination of
the root causes of K behaviour, which spans technical and cultural boundaries. This
happens through identifying the factors that impact upon defined KM metrics. These
factors can have many definitions, e.g. a software system. The analysis identifies the
key influencing factors within a working environment.
The research benets are felt when the ground-level drivers of KM behaviour are
improved through a link to a appropriate K strategy. The K strategy may
emphasise organisational cultural changes or IT changes or both in a endeavour to
improveinnovation,reducebusinesscostsandreducetimetomarketofnewproducts.
A validation case study was undertaken within the design centre of a leading
automotive manufacturer. This exercise implemented the pilot programme and the
company working environment was successfully analysed. A series of
recommendations were made that would improve Knowledge Management for the
company.
Finally, a series of further research issues were developed that provide a wider
perspective for the contribution of the thesis so that greater be net scan beat tributed to
its implementation.
