Knowledge transfer in PSWI Production Department / Xiel P. Salaya

Year : 2010

Number of Pages : 41 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Serafin D. Talisayon

Executive Summary

This special project is conducted to explore Pag-asa Steel Works, Inc. (PSWI) Production Department's knowledge transfer mainly from Senior Retiring Experts in order to identify success factors and pitfalls to propose prolific guidelines for its execution, as well as knowledge sharing among the members of the department. Literature research and consultations provides the basis for a theoretical investigative framework. That framework serves as a foundation for a practical investigation of the PSWI Production Department. Qualitative interviews along with interaction sessions are conducted both in formal and informal settings became the primary source used for research. The interview questions are composed in accordance with the theoretical framework established through preliminary research and consultations. That framework is then applied to the interview results, and a valuation of its components is made. In order to enable the design of a theoretical framework, several definitions and classifications are made : knowledge and its dimensions, knowledge transfer, process steps in knowledge transfer, transfer mechanisms, characteristics of transfer participants, and knowledge type. Research results provided by the production department used in the case study leads to the identification of several success factors and pitfalls of knowledge transfer from senior retiring experts in the PSWI Production Department. Different contextual factors, such as department size, function of section, tenure and age of personnel, influence of the validity of the success factors and pitfalls and knowledge transfer in general. The conclusion includes recommendations for future research.