Alonso Perez-Soltero

Defining the problem: key element for the success of knowledge management

The objective of this paper is to propose a methodology for applying knowledge management (KM), in which we first focus on explaining problematic areas of an organization by identifying the knowledge core process, before applying KM strategies to those processes. For the methodology, we lean on the larger context of systems thinking to help visualize the whole organization, and it is here that the key factors are identified and a set of strategic criteria is established. The most important criteria are then used to evaluate the associated processes and their respective tasks in order to establish the problematic areas or opportunities where KM initiatives can be applied. This strategy precludes tackling all the organizations problems and allows management to focus on only those processes that provide significant and manageable knowledge. Finally, this study explores and cautiously recommends an unexploited but valuable element to be taken into account when implementing KM initiatives.

A semantic role labelling-based framework for learning ontologies from Spanish documents

Highlights? Most of the information available in the Web is adapted primarily for human consumption. ? The Semantic Web deals with adding machine-readable information to Web pages. ? This paper proposes a new ontology learning methodology based on semantic role labeling. ? The method represents multiple semantic relations, taxonomic and partonomic in OWL 2.0. ? A set of experiments has been performed that show promising results. Currently, most of the information available in the Web is adapted primarily for human consumption, but there is so much information that can no longer be processed by a person in a reasonable time, either in digital or physical formats. To solve this problem, the idea of the Semantic Web arose. The Semantic Web deals with adding machine-readable information to Web pages. Ontologies represent a very important element of this web, as they provide a valid and robust structure to represent knowledge based on concepts, relations, axioms, etc. The need for overcoming the bottleneck provoked by the manual construction of ontologies has generated several studies and research on obtaining semiautomatic methods to learn ontologies. In this sense, this paper proposes a new ontology learning methodology based on semantic role labeling from digital Spanish documents. The method makes it possible to represent multiple semantic relations specially taxonomic and partonomic ones in the standardized OWL 2.0. A set of experiments has been performed with the approach implemented in educational domain that show promising results.

Academy–industry linking capabilities as a determinant of innovation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the importance of the linkage between academia and industry from a business perspective. The analysis focuses on the impact generated from these collaboration programs to promote innovation. Data for the analysis was obtained through a measurement instrument, which allows evaluating multiple dimensions of capacity of absorption as determinants of the innovation. Design/methodology/approach The methodology consisted of the implementation of the measurement instrument for the managers in the companies who were involved in the collaborative projects. From the answers obtained, an analysis of strengths and weaknesses was performed, categorized by absorptive capacity dimensions, satisfaction with linkage relationship and innovative impact. In addition, a comparative exercise is presented with the purpose of learning the position of the Postgraduate Program in Industrial Engineering in Mexico, and finally, an analysis of Spearman’s coefficient was performed to verify whether the linkage influenced innovation for this case study. Findings There is a positive correlation between linkage and innovation. An unexpected finding was the level of satisfaction of the companies that collaborated with the academy and the real situation of each dimension to determine the improvements in the policies and mechanisms of linkage. Research limitations/implications One of the main challenges of this paper was to identify and contact the managers of the projects. These projects have been performed and completed in several companies from 2011 to date. Over this time, some managers have changed their employment status and even their places of residence. Therefore, establishing contact and performing interviews with the managers directly linked to each project was a complex process. Originality/value This is the first paper that demonstrates and measures the relationship between linkage and innovation through an instrument of absorptive capacity, which determines the behavior of each dimension where strengths and weaknesses of collaboration relationships are detected and determines the punctual impact on innovation from the perspective of the businessmen involved.

A Software Strategy for Knowledge Transfer in a Pharmaceutical Distribution Company

This work solves knowledge transfer problems faced by a family owned pharmaceutical distribution company. The main objectives of this project are to improve knowledge transfer efficiency, recover outdated knowledge and improve the company’s operation. As years transpire, explicit knowledge can become obsolete and inaccessible for several reasons, i.e. staff’s retirement or upgrades in the software being used. In the company’s case, explicit knowledge was not identified and was saved in different software versions and hardware, leading to delays and rework attributed to knowledge’s inaccessibility. A software strategy was proposed and implemented to solve this problematic. Favorable results were achieved. Knowledge transfer between departments was improved, knowledge from older versions or software were recovered, knowledge was centralized and a middleware was successfully implemented in one of the departments. Company personnel can locate, access and implement knowledge and the company’s operations has improved.

A methodological proposal to benefit from team knowledge: An experience in a Mexican SME dedicated to the design of electromechanical devices

Purpose This paper aims to propose a methodology to develop an organizational memory to benefit from team knowledge and to make the design of electromechanical devices processes more efficient. Design/methodology/approach Different frameworks and methods were analyzed from literature, obtaining key ideas to be included in the methodology developed and considering other approaches to apply in team knowledge about design processes. The research was conducted as a case study in a Mexican small and medium-sized enterprises dedicated to the manufacturing and installation of electromechanical devices where the methodology was implemented. Findings A five-stage methodology was developed which consisted of preparation, identification, capture & storage, dissemination & application and finally the evaluation & feedback stage. An implementation of the described processes was carried out, which was materialized into a technological tool that represents the organizational memory where knowledge was captured, organized and disseminated. Practical implications This study offers guidelines that can be applied in other organizations where team knowledge on design processes have not been adequately used for company’s improvement. The application of this methodology could be a strategy that enabled team knowledge to store their experience. This knowledge could then be consulted and recovered by the workgroup in an effective manner to solve new problems. Originality/value A methodological proposal to develop an organizational memory about team knowledge was developed. To evaluate the impact of the methodology implementation, a variety of indicators were proposed, which were classified as economic, organizational and performance indicators.

PRIORITIZATION OF STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY A CARD SOLUTIONS ANDSERVICES COMPANY, THRU THE FUZZY LOGIC

This paper presents the fuzzy logic application with an approach to strategic management. The goals are to assign priority to the strategy adopted by a card solutions and services company by the Fuzzy Logic, using a technical analysis and judgment for decision making, that gives support to the executives in the development of indicators and organizational strategies. The methodologies used in this work are the literature search and case study applied in the card solutions and services company, located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In this study, it was applied the model of Strategic Alignment, developed and structured by Espin and Vanti (2005) in an intelligent information system, based on Fuzzy Logic concepts. At the end of this work, it is shown that Fuzzy Logic is an important technique to the prioritization of organization objectives and strategic actions.