Knowledge Waste & Knowledge Loss – What is it All About?

Authors

  • Helio Aisenberg Ferenhof Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5167-0838
  • Susanne Durst University of Skövde
  • Paulo Mauricio Selig Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Keywords:

Knowledge Waste, Knowledge Loss, Knowledge Management, Survey.

Abstract

In this paper we are interested in developing an understanding of the concepts of knowledge waste and knowledge loss. The latter can in the worst case lead to “a decreased capacity for effective action or decision making in a specific organizational context” (DeLong, 2004, p. 21). Whereas knowledge waste means that companies are not using the full capacity of existing knowledge. As outlined by Ferenhof (2011) it is any failure in the process of knowledge conversion. These definitions imply differences between the concepts, the literature however suggests that many authors uses them interchangeably. Is that correct? Are the concepts important, of relevance? The present article´s aim is to highlight the importance of having better insights into the concepts. The authors believe that both theory and corporate practice will benefit from an improved understanding.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Helio Aisenberg Ferenhof, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Departamento de Engenharia de Produção

References

Aiman-Smith, L., Bergey, P., Cantwell, A. R., & Doran, M. (2006). The coming knowledge and capability shortage. Research-Technology Management, 49(4), 15-23.

Bardin, L. (2011). Análise de Conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70.

Bauch, C. (2004). Lean product development: Making waste transparent (Doctoral dissertation, Massachussets Institute of Technology). Retrieved from https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/81429

Bolisani, E., Pailoa, M. and Scarso, E. (2013). Knowledge protection in knowledge-intensive business services. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 14(2), 192-211. doi: 10.1108/14691931311323841

Brito, L. M. P., de Oliveira, P. W. S., & de Castro, A. B. C. (2012). Knowledge management in a public institution for technical assistance and rural extension of northeastern Brazil. Rev. Adm. Pública [online], 46(5), 1341-1366. doi: 10.1590/S0034-76122012000500008

DeLong, D. W. (2004). Lost knowledge: Confronting the threat of an aging workforce. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Durst, S., & Wilhelm, S. (2011). Knowledge management in practice: Insights into a medium- sized enterprise’s exposure to knowledge loss. Prometheus, 29(1), 23-38. doi: 10.1080/08109028.2011.565693

Durst, S., & Wilhelm, S. (2012). Knowledge management and succession planning in SMEs. Journal of Knowledge Management, 16(4), 637-649. doi: 10.1108/13673271211246194

Durst, S., & Ferenhof, H. A. (2014). Knowledge leakages and ways to reduce them in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Information, 5(3), 440-450. doi: 10.3390/info5030440

Ferenhof, H. A. (2011). Uma sistemática de identificação de desperdícios de conhecimento visando à melhoria do processo de criação de novos serviços (Master’s thesis, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina). Retrieved from https://repositorio.ufsc.br/handle/123456789/94998

Fink, A. G. (2013). How to conduct surveys: A step-by-step guide. Thousand Oaks, United States: Sage Publications.

Locher, D. (2008). Value stream mapping for lean development: A how-to guide for streamlining time to market. New York, United States: Productivity Press.

McQuade, E., Sjoer, E., Fabian, P., Nascimento, J. C., & Schroeder, S. (2007). Will you miss me when I’m gone? A study of the potential loss of company knowledge and expertise as employees retire. Journal of European Industrial Training, 31(9), 758-768. doi: 10.1108/03090590710846701

Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1997). Criação do conhecimento na empresa: Como as empresas japonesas geram a dinâmica da inovação (2. ed.). Rio de Janeiro: Campus.

Sampieri, R. H., Collado, C. F., & Lucio, M. D. P. B. (2013). Metodologia de pesquisa (5. ed.). Porto Alegre: Penso.

Taiichi, Ō. (1988). Toyota production system: beyond large-scale production. Boca Raton, United States: CRC Press.

Tsui, E., Iske, P., & Boersma, W. (2005). Connected brains: Question and answer systems for knowledge sharing: concepts, implementation and return on investment. Journal of knowledge management, 9(1), 126-145. doi: 10.1108/13673270510583018

Ward, A. C. (2007). Lean product and process development. Cambridge, United States: Lean Enterprise Institute.

Womack, J. P., & Jones, D. T. (2004). A mentalidade enxuta nas empresas lean thinking:

elimine o desperdício e crie riqueza. Rio de Janeiro: Campus.

Downloads

Published

2016-10-20

Issue

Section

Articles