Upcoming KIM meetings - 29 April to 22 July 2014

The KIM group has scheduled a range of meetings, all commencing at 11.30am at the second floor meeting room at the iSchool in Sheffield:

29 April Alexander Schauer "From dimensions to clusters: moving towards a concise and holistic framework of key components influencing individual knowledge sharing" (Mock viva)

13 May Dang Cong Tuan "Implementing e-learning in Vietnamese universities: A configurational approach" (Mock viva)

27 May Jorge Martins "Academics’ trust in e-learning: framing adoption decision between institutionalism and individualism"

10 June Jonathan Foster "Digital archiving as information production: using experts and learners in the design of subject access"

24 June Titima Thumbumrung "Knowledge sharing across disciplinary  boundaries in scientific and technological research projects in a government organisation in Thailand: a case study of the National Science and Technology Development Agency"

8 July Ana Vasconcelos "The role of absorptive capacity in the strategic turnaround of firms in a climate of economic crisis: four cases in Portuguese traditional low technology sectors"

22 July Shuyang Li  "Knowledge Sharing Skills among Managers: A Literature Review"


The presenters are looking forward welcoming you at their sessions.

Next KIM meeting 25 Mar 2014 to welcome new group members

The knowledge and information management (KIM) research group welcomes its new members.

They are:

• Angela Y Lin
• Jonathan J Foster
• Tuan C Dang 
• Zefeng Wang

 The purpose of the next meeting is for each member of the KIM group to:
a) Identify a topic and title of a talk to give to the other KIM group members; and

b) Agree a running order for the talks from around Easter onwards.

 The meeting will be held 25 March 2014 at 12pm in Room 231 at the Information School.

Jonathan Foster will be chairing the session and looks forward welcoming everyone.

Alexander Schauer attends Knowledge Transfer Camp at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen 7/8 March 2014

The knowledge transfer camp provides attendees from industry and academia the opportunity to discuss a range of topics under the banner of knowledge transfer. Alexander Schauer moderated a discussion session titled 'Cultural variations and the influence on knowledge sharing'. More information can be found on the German website: http://wissenstransfercamp.mixxt.de/

iSchool Research Seminar by Titima Thumbumrung 13 Feb 2014 at 9:30am in RC-231

 The details of the seminar are as follows:

Knowledge sharing across disciplinary boundaries in scientific and technological research projects in a government research organization in Thailand

Many researchers and practitioners have acknowledged the significance of knowledge sharing and integration among members of different disciplinary communities. In particular, the creation of new knowledge, creative solutions, and innovation requires many different perspectives to be brought together and cooperation between different disciplines to meet complex societal challenges and new requirements in the knowledge economy. Reviewing the literature related to knowledge management and knowledge sharing across disciplinary boundaries, in particular, reveals that the majority of studies to date have focused on new product development in the private sector in developed countries. Few have focused on the public sector especially government research organizations in developing countries. Furthermore, only a small number of studies have explored the creation of a framework for managing and sharing knowledge across boundaries.

Therefore, this study aims to explore how knowledge is shared and integrated across disciplinary boundaries in scientific and technological research projects in a government research organisation in a developing country. It is a case study of the National Science and Technology Development Agency in Thailand. More specifically, the objectives of the study are

1.         to explain how disciplinary boundaries are socially constructed;

2.         to explore what kinds of knowledge are shared across such boundaries;

3.         to explore through what kinds of processes this knowledge is shared and integrated;

4.         to identify which factors are facilitators or obstacles for knowledge sharing and integration and how they influence these activities; and 

5.         to develop a framework for knowledge sharing and integration in cross-disciplinary scientific and technological research projects in a government research organization in a developing country.

In order to accomplish the aim and objectives, this study adopts a case study approach. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis will be employed to capture researchers’ and key informants’ perspectives and experiences of conducting cross-disciplinary scientific and technological research projects. Data will be analysed using a grounded theory approach. 

This seminar will present the background of the study, an overview of the related literature, and introduce the aim and objectives. It will also present the research methods which will be used for the investigation.

New job: Knowledge Management Technologist - Pipeline

There is currently an opportunity to work with Rolls-Royce in the Department of Design Methods as a 'Knowledge Management Technologist' in Derby. The position is full time and the closing date is 14 February. For more information, please visit https://rollsroyce.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en-GB&job=00052737

Knowledge Specialist Role : Yorkshire Water

Hello all, I've been advised that there is a current position available as knowledge specialist at Yorkshire Water.

"This role will support the Data Governance Manager in the creation of a 'learning organisation', deriving the greatest possible value from our data and knowledge."

The current closing date is 7th February 2014 but due to the number of applications already received the advertisement may shut before the advertised date.

For more information, please go to http://www.yorkshirewater.com/careers/current-vacancies.aspx 

Sheffield University GRAD School - 12th-14th May 2014

The University Careers Service in partnership with Research and Innovation Services will conduct a three day non-residential Sheffield GRAD School. It will provide students the opportunity to reflect on their career plans and develop their communication, team working and critical thinking skills. For more details please see Sheffield University GRADSchool

SAGE Research Methods with Methods Map

The University has subscribed to a new online search tool that helps to identify relevant research methodologies. The tool seems very interactive by providing a Methods Map that guides one through the different aspects of the research stages and gives helpful hints as to the key people and articles/books to read. It can be accessed at the University of Sheffield via http://resolver.shef.ac.uk/?http://srmo.sagepub.com/

Next KIM meeting 22 Jan 2014

The KIM group starts the new year with a presentation by Titima Thumbumrung, who will speak about her research topic. The meeting will be held at the iSchool Sheffield, Room 231 at 10am.

Happy New Year!

The Knowledge and Information Management group would like to extend a happy and successful New Year to all its members and readers of the blog.