An action research on capturing and transferring operational knowledge at the Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD)

• Main Author: Cheng, Kathrine Abbey S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4821
• Institution: De La Salle University

A dynamic and lean organization like the Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD) requires constant readiness, continuous planning, and improvised implementation in its activities. To facilitate various activities in CBRD, sharing information and knowledge is of utmost importance. The objective of this action research is to capture, codify, and retain knowledge in the CBRD to better facilitate knowledge transfer among the current and future staff of CBRD. This research addressed the issue of dysfunctional knowledge transfer at CBRD by managing knowledge using the SECI model of Knowledge Management and guided by Coghlan & Brannicks principles of insider action research and Kurt Lewins Three-Step Model of change. I gathered data through personal observations which were validated by informal and indepth individual and group interviews. I conducted my interventions through dialogues and interviews to draw knowledge out and codify what can be codified into guidelines which were evaluated after the activity learning and points of improvements are then integrated in the guidelines. Due to time constraint in the implementation of the interventions, further testing and refinement is still needed for the written guidelines developed. Using this research as basis, I hope that a working manual of procedures for CBRD can come into fruition, and be shared with other research centers in De La Salle University to avoid or minimize knowledge loss and facilitate continuous learning and innovation. Through this research, I realized how useful these models are in guiding and explaining how to manage change and knowledge while managing any conflicts that may arise in my role duality as an insider action researcher and as a research assistant at CBRD. Furthermore, conducting this action research has taught me to constantly challenge existing assumptions and perceptions.