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The knowledge dimension of manufacturing transfers: A method for identifying hidden knowledge

Erik S. Madsen (Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark)
Jens O. Riis (Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark)
Brian V. Waehrens (Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark)

Strategic Outsourcing: An International Journal

ISSN: 1753-8297

Article publication date: 19 September 2008

1668

Abstract

Purpose

In the context of transferring manufacturing knowledge to new locations, whether this is to parties inside or outside the legal boundary of a firm, a key problem remains, that it is often difficult to explain what operators really know, or why what they do really works. Still most attention is given to planning the physical move and to the explicit knowledge associated with normal operations. The paper argues that manufacturing processes rarely contain the necessary robustness that can be replicated in a new context. The transfer, therefore, should encompass a wider range of task situations and the associated sets of knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to develop a method that may help to identify and capture the knowledge tied to non‐normal task situations as a basis for supporting an accelerated learning at the new site.

Design/methodology/approach

Three case studies based on observations over one‐and‐half years and interviews (n = 59) with operators, management and technical support staff on both sides of the relationship, illustrate and support the developed model. A fourth case study is used to test the method.

Findings

The case studies show that the classification of task situations can be used in the process of identifying hidden knowledge.

Practical implications

The paper operationalizes knowledge tied to different task situations at the shop floor and shows that the non‐normal task situations deserve increased attention in the literature as well as in practical work of preparing for a transfer of manufacturing processes. The proposed method may help companies identify hidden knowledge and prepare a comprehensive training program.

Originality/value

The authors present a framework for assessing knowledge of various task situations and a method for transfer of non‐normal task situations.

Keywords

Citation

Madsen, E.S., Riis, J.O. and Waehrens, B.V. (2008), "The knowledge dimension of manufacturing transfers: A method for identifying hidden knowledge", Strategic Outsourcing: An International Journal, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 198-209. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538290810915272

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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