Knowledge management: an exploratory study for knowledge transfer in a university

Abstract

At present time educational and scientific organizations face dynamic and competitive environments that urge for innovation in their knowledge transfer processes. For that, they can count on a set of tools and techniques to better manage knowledge. Thus, the objective of this study is to suggest Knowledge Management tools and techniques that favor the transfer of knowledge in the development of organizational processes. The study carried out in the lato sensu postgraduate sector of a university located in the south of Brazil which started its activities 30 years ago, has a qualitative and exploratory character, as the methodological procedures employed were documentary research and an ethnography study. The primary data was collected through participant observation. The findings show that there are three major organizational processes in Educational institutions: "enrolling students", "accompanying students" and "operationalizing classes". Those processes involve 18 activities resulting in the fragmentation of knowledge. Thus, six Knowledge Management tools and techniques were suggested to support knowledge transfer in the organizational processes namely: benchmarking, practical community, collaboration tools, lessons learned, best practices, and storytelling.