Bożena Gajdzik

The Transfer of Knowledge in Intra-Organizational Networks: A Case Study Analysis

Abstract `Background: In today’s business environment, a company is able to maintain its competitive position if it constantly generates knowledge and disseminates this knowledge within the organization, as well as transforms it into new competences. The ability to transfer knowledge becomes one of the key factors in the improvement of a company’s competitive position. This hypothesis is applicable particularly in the case of cooperation within networks, as they are an excellent opportunity for mutual learning between partners. Objectives: The purpose of the paper is to analyse the process of knowledge transfer in intra-organizational networks. Method: Due to the specificity of the research object, the case study method has been chosen. In order to make an in-depth analysis of the case study, we selected a group of several criteria based on the theory which we believe to be fundamental to the effectiveness of knowledge management in networks, and compared them with the situation in the ArcelorMittal Group. Results: Our research show that ArcelorMittal Group has met almost all the criteria of effective knowledge management in its intra-organizational network. Some exceptions, albeit merely to an extent, are mostly the result of historical circumstances, , i.e. the process of growth through acquisitions, and the acquisition of companies at different stages of organizational development, as well as organizational culture. Conclusion: Based on theoretical assumptions, the study analysed in details the components of knowledge management applied by the corporation in question. Therefore this study might be utilised to formulate a refutable hypothesis and verify them on a larger group of companies from different sectors of the economy. The main limitations of the paper are mostly related to the inherent approach therein

Managerial Challenges for Networks and Beyond

Networks are increasingly visible in a growing number of sectors. However, as with individual companies, not all networks will succeed, but only those which are able to build and maintain their competitive edge. Dynamic changes in the business environment, especially since the turn of the century, have made it difficult to imagine a network functioning in the absence of managers. As in the case of a single company, they are the prime determinant of whether the network will succeed. Indeed, a good manager can do so more efficiently and effectively than a weak one. The goal of the paper is thus to present the major challenges facing network managers. Perceptions of managers within networks, the basic functions and competences of network managers, the roles played by managers depending on the structure (type) of the network, as well as practical research results in this area and challenges for network management, have all been described in this paper.

Technological Effects of Metallurgical Industry Restructuring in Poland

The publication presents changes occurring in technological processes of producing steel after transformation of economic system in Poland after year 1989 and conducted repair programs within restructuring of metallurgical industry of iron and steel. Changes were based on withdrawals of economically unprofitable technologies, including open hearth furnaces through expansion of electrical and converter technologies of steel manufacturing up to activities which were connected with changing the profile of manufactured assortment.

The Influence of Thermodynamic Conditions for Steel Filtration Efficiency

The work presents theoretical grounds for the process of refining molten steel from liquid non-metallic inclusions, using the method of filtration with ceramic filters - the thermodynamic precondition to the absorption of liquid non-metallic inclusions on the surface of a ceramic filter.

Sustainable Restructuring Process in Polish Steelworks

The article is a form of conclusion about restructuring process in metallurgical sector in Poland. On the base of principles of sustainable development the key areas of changes in Polish metallurgy were characterized. Results of restructuring process in Polish steel sector were characterized. There are two parts in the article. Fist part is about sustainability in restructuring process. Second part is about realized changes in metallurgical enterprises in Poland in last twenty five years.

Trends Development of Machines Operation Maintenance in Metallurgical Companies in Poland

European metallurgy industry has to invest in technologies and machines in order to remain competitive on the world market. One of the areas of innovational solutions is concept of TPM – Total Productive Maintenance. The article presents the development of productive maintenance concept in chronological order in the conditions of economic system transformation (from central planning economy to the rules of free market) in metallurgical companies in Poland.

Industrial Experiments Filtration of Steel

The research on the process of steel filtration from non-metallic inclusions is currently entering the last phase of industrial experiments. Their positive effects confirm the previous theoretical assumptions and laboratory tests. The application of steel filtration as a permanent technological operation in the process of steel casting will remarkably improve its metallurgic purity. An additional advantage will be diminishing the probability of covering the outlet nozzle of a tundish. This paper presents an outline of the experiment results mentioned above.

Client in the Center Metallurgical Enterprise Organization

The purpose of this publication is to evaluate the scope of the changes implemented in the steel enterprises operating in Poland within the presented issue. The paper presents the components of the client centricity strategies in steel manufacturing companies belonging to global groups. Placing the client in the centre of attention is becoming an increasingly common element of the strategy of many enterprises, including steel works. Implementation of the client in the center concept in the organization is a complex task and is based on: changes of processes, measurement of customer satisfaction levels as well as building employee engagement.

Strategic Investments of Restructured Metallurgical Companies in Sustainability Business

The article presents the strategic investments implemented in metallurgical enterprises in Poland in time of economical changes. After 1989 Polish steelwork plants started restructuring process connected with technological investments. Polish steelwork plants became a part of foreign capital groups or domestic capital groups. Privatised metallurgical enterprises after economic transformation gradually implemented new technology to their business activities. In the publication an overview of the definitions of strategic and development investments was conducted together with the presentation of the key investments which influence the sustainability of the business in the metallurgical enterprise on Polish market. As a case study was used ArcelorMittal Poland company. In 2004 international concern LNM (ArcelorMittal Poland today) bought the biggest Polish steelwork plants. Since that time the capital group invested 3 billion zlotys in new technology and modernization of the plants. Key strategic investment projects in the company were characterized in the paper.

The Influence of Slenderness Ratios of Multi-Hole Ceramic Filters from SF - 1.67 to SF - 8.36 of Filter Surface on Efficiency of Liquid Steel Refining from Non-Metallic Phase

We propose in this publication the introduction of new, additional definition describing the multiple orifice ceramic filters used in research works on the liquid steel filtrations, calling this the filter slenderness ratio. In order to confirm the theoretical assumptions we have performed a series of the laboratory scale experiments (for the filter slenderness ratio SF - 1.67 to SF - 8.36). The influence of the filter slenderness on the filtration process efficiency has been determined through variations in quantities and surface shares of the non-metallic phase in the filtrated steel in relation to the non-filtered steel. We present also the results of researches on the separating surfaces between the liquid steel and the ceramic filter material, which in form of photos and scanning microscope microanalyses are put together in the publication.