Critical factors influencing knowledge exchange between global STEM organizations

This research identifies critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between knowledge workers in professional organizations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The influence of boundary systems on global knowledge exchange between organizations was also studied. The significance of the research was to establish the critical relationships so that best practices could be suggested for STEM organizations. Theoretical lenses that guided this research included absorptive capacity theory, boundary spanning theory, cultural dimension theory, and trust theory. These theoretical lenses focused on organizations engaged in global knowledge exchange. The study’s methodology employed an evidence-based research synthesis approach and systematic review technique with configurative thematic synthesis. The study’s findings identified ten critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between global STEM organizations. Findings also identified boundary system influences on global knowledge exchange, and the pivotal role that the level of trust between and within organizations has in global knowledge exchange. The research led to recommended management practices for practitioners in STEM organizations to improve their ability to facilitate global knowledge exchange within communities of practice.CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE BETWEEN GLOBAL STEM ORGANIZATIONS By Joseph Andrew Glowitz Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland University College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Management 2015 Advisory Committee: Dr. Thomas J. Mierzwa Dr. Denise A. Breckon ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: CRITICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE BETWEEN GLOBAL STEM ORGANIZATIONS Joseph Andrew Glowitz, Doctor of Management, 2015 Dissertation Directed By: Dr. Thomas J. Mierzwa and Dr. Denise A. Breckon This research identifies critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between knowledge workers in professional organizations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The influence of boundary systems on global knowledge exchange between organizations was also studied. The significance of the research was to establish the critical relationships so that best practices could be suggested for STEM organizations. Theoretical lenses that guided this research included absorptive capacity theory, boundary spanning theory, cultural dimension theory, and trust theory. These theoretical lenses focused on organizations engaged in global knowledge exchange. The study’s methodology employed an evidence-based research synthesis approach and systematic review technique with configurative thematic synthesis. The study’s findings identified ten critical factors that influence knowledge exchange between global STEM organizations. Findings also identified boundary system influences on global knowledge exchange, and the pivotal role that the level of trust between and within organizations has in global knowledge exchange. The research led to recommended management practices for practitioners in STEM organizations to improve their ability to facilitate global knowledge exchange within communities of practice. Keywords: absorptive capacity, boundary spanning, culture, knowledge, STEM, trust © Copyright by Joseph Andrew Glowitz 2015 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my dissertation advisors, Dr. Thomas Mierzwa and Dr. Denise Breckon for their guidance and mentorship during my dissertation process. In addition, I would like to thank the professors at University of Maryland University College who helped develop my writing, critical thinking, and scholarly abilities: Dr. Bryan Booth, Dr. Michael Frank, Dr. Claudine SchWeber, Dr. Laura Witz, Dr. John Sherlock, Dr. Subash Bijlani and Dr. Timothy Reed. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Wanda Wagner for her fantastic mentorship and encouragement. Thank you to the UMUC staff, Marina Caminis and Monica Graham. I also wish to acknowledge the participation of the five Subject Knowledge Experts who offered valuable observations and input for the research. Thank you also to my friends for their words of encouragement to help me on my doctoral journey, including Foster Tucker, and Mack Hicks. Special thanks to my fellow cohort members at UMUC, including Justin Blaney, Steven Deck, Joanne Koravos, Cami Fawzy, Katherine Freeley, Penny Reese, and Will Porter. Also, thanks to Dr. Ray Kennedy and Tim Tune for their expert editing and writing advice, other reviewers who provided feedback along the way, and to my other friends and family, I wish to share my sincere than i Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction and Research Problem ..................................................................................... 1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................................ 3 Research Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 5 Gaps in the Research ............................................................................................................................. 7 Research Questions ............................................................................................................................... 9 Significance of this Study for Management ........................................................................................... 9 Study Scope and Limitations ................................................................................................................ 11 Dissertation Organization ................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 2: Literature Review and Conceptual Model .......................................................................... 16 Critical Analysis of the Literature Themes .......................................................................................... 17 Interpretive Model ............................................................................................................................... 55 Thesis Statements ................................................................................................................................ 60 Summary of the Chapter ...................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 3: Method ................................................................................................................................... 63 Systematic Review Method .................................................................................................................. 63 Quality Analysis and Assessment ......................................................................................................... 75 Configurative Thematic Synthesis ....................................................................................................... 81 Considerations from Expert Review Panel .......................................................................................... 86 Summary of the Results ........................................................................................................................ 89 Synthesis of the Results ........................................................................................................................ 92 Summary of the Chapter ...................................................................................................................... 93 Chapter 4: Analysis and Findings ........................................................................................................... 94 Findings of the Evidence ..................................................................................................................... 94 Summary Findings and the Reinterpreted Conceptual Framework .................................................. 112 Limitations of the Interpretation of the Study Findings ..................................................................... 116 Summary of the Findings ................................................................................................................... 119 Chapter 5: Conclusions and Implications ............................................................................................. 120 Study Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 121 Implications for Management and Practice ...................................................................................... 123 Areas for Future Research ................................................................................................................. 124 Summary Observations ...................................................................................................................... 127 References ............................................................................................................................................... 127 Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. 169 Curriculum vitae .................................................................................................................................... 220 ii List of Tables TABLE 1 SUMMARY OF HOFSTEDE’S CULTURAL DIMENSIONS ........................................................43 TABLE 2 THESIS STATEMENTS AND VARIABLES ...............................................................................62 TABLE 3 A LIST OF POTENTIAL KEYWORDS ....................................................................................69 TABLE 4 LITERATURE DATABASE SEARCH KEYWORDS OF INTEREST ................................................70 TABLE 5 LITERATURE QUALITY ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ..................................................................78 TABLE 6 LITERATURE SCREENING AND QUALITY ASSESSMENT RESULTS ..........................................79 TABLE 7 FIVE-STEP THEMATIC SYNTHESIS CODING PROCESS .........................................................84 TABLE 8 SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) REVIEW PANEL ...........................................................87 TABLE 9 THEMATIC SYNTHESIS RESULTS - CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FACTORS .................95 TABLE 10 CROSS-INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE FACTORS .............................................100 TABLE 11 INFLUENCE OF BOUNDARY SYSTEMS ON GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE ...................106 iii List of Figures FIGURE 1. RESEARCH STUDY PROBLEM DOMAIN SPACE. ..............................................................7 FIGURE 2. NONAKA AND TAKEUCHI SECI KNOWLEDGE MODEL. ................................................21 FIGURE 4. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT LIFE CYCLE. ..................................................................23 FIGURE 5. DISPERSED KNOWLEDGE DOMAINS. ............................................................................25 FIGURE 6. LEARNING PROCESS IN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT. .................................................26 FIGURE 7. ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY MODEL. .................................................................................39 FIGURE 8. KNOWLEDGE CENTER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. ........................................................53 FIGURE 9. CONCEPTS SUPPORTING KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. .....................................................56 FIGURE 10. THEORETICAL LENS OF KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. .....................................................57 FIGURE 11. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. ..............................60 FIGURE 12. SIMPLIFIED EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT PYRAMID OF EVIDENCE. ....................75 FIGURE 13. PRISMA PROCESS DOCUMENTATION DIAGRAM. .....................................................80 FIGURE 14. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW DATASET BY STUDY QUALITY RATING. .................................90 FIGURE 15. DATA SOURCES BY YEAR OF PUBLICATION. ..............................................................91 FIGURE 16. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW DATA BY TYPE OF STUDY. ......................................................92 FIGURE 17. RANKING OF THE ANALYTICAL THEMES AND CRITICAL FACTORS. ...........................96 FIGURE 18. THESIS STATEMENT 1: FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. ...........99 FIGURE 19. THESIS STATEMENT 2: BOUNDARY SYSTEMS - GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. .108 FIGURE 20. THESIS STATEMENT 3: TRUST AND GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. ...................110 FIGURE 21. STUDY FINDINGS SUMMARY. ..................................................................................115 FIGURE 22. REINTERPRETED CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK. .........................................................116 FIGURE 23. INFLUENCES ON GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. ...............................................122 iv List of Appendices APPENDIX A ENABLERS AND INHIBITORS TO KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE ....................................169 APPENDIX B LITERATURE REVIEW KEY CONCEPTS AND RESEARCH STUDY RELEVANCE .........170 APPENDIX C PROPOSITIONS AND SUPPORTING INITIAL LITERATURE .........................................171 APPENDIX D SYSTEMATIC REVIEW APPROACH AND METHOD ...................................................172 APPENDIX E INITIAL KEYWORD SEARCH OPTIONS ....................................................................173 APPENDIX F WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ....................................174 APPENDIX G WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER ..........................................175 APPENDIX H WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - GLOBAL ORGANIZATION ..........................................176 APPENDIX I WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - CULTURAL DIFFERENCE ............................................177 APPENDIX J WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY .............................................178 APPENDIX K WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - BOUNDARY SPANNING .............................................179 APPENDIX L WEB OF SCIENCE RESULTS - TRUST AND MANAGEMENT .......................................180 APPENDIX M UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ONESEARCH DATABASES ........................................181 APPENDIX N RESULTS OF INITIAL LITERATURE KEYWORD SEARCH .........................................182 APPENDIX O RESULTS OF SECONDARY LITERATURE KEYWORD SEARCH .................................183 APPENDIX P RESULTS OF DETAILED DATA SOURCE QUALITY APPRAISAL ANALYSIS ..............184 APPENDIX Q QUALITY ASSESSMENT AND DATA NARRATIVE TABLE ........................................190 APPENDIX R PREFERRED REPORTING FOR SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS & META-ANALYSES ............204 APPENDIX S CODING MANUAL AND THEMATIC RESULTS .........................................................205 APPENDIX T THEMATIC SYNTHESIS CRITICAL FACTORS BY AUTHOR .......................................206 APPENDIX U ATLAS.TI GRAPHICAL THEMATIC OCCURRENCE, BY THEME ................................208 APPENDIX V ATLAS.TI DATA SOURCE THEME OUTPUT BY AUTHOR ........................................209 APPENDIX W SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT FEEDBACK SUMMARY .................................................209 APPENDIX X SYSTEMATIC REVIEW LITERATURE DATA SOURCES ...............................................215 APPENDIX Y ATLAS.TI PARENT THEME CODE REPORT, BY AUTHOR ........................................216 APPENDIX Z KEY CRITICAL FACTORS IN CASE STUDIES ...........................................................218 APPENDIX AA COPYRIGHT REPRINT LICENSE ...........................................................................219 1 Critical Factors Influencing Knowledge Exchange between Global STEM Organizations Chapter 1: Introduction and Research Problem Overview Chapter 1 introduces the dissertation and research. Chapter 1 has six sections: 1. Background; 2. Problem statement; 3. Research questions; 4. Significance of the study; 5. Scope and limitations of the study; and 6. Dissertation organization. Organizations continue to explore and implement knowledge based systems to utilize new information and address organizational needs, business requirements, and provide a learning environment to create, acquire, share, and transfer information between stakeholders, such as employees and offices in worldwide locations. The transformation from traditional workers to knowledge workers infers that knowledge management is important to businesses, incorporating the tenets of more traditional, long-standing management theories and practices. These new work practices are incorporated into realigned business strategies. New technologies provide the ability to communicate globally has enabled a new look at how the workplace operates, including a virtual office. These technology advances allow organizations to expand globally to offshore host countries to create a new business presence, or to utilize offshore knowledge and labor in domestic locations. Globalization of the world economy has introduced changes to the standard business model, requiring a rethinking of how businesses relate to their employees and customers. Organizations are not immune from impacts from global events that transcend geography, geopolitical boundaries, national politics, or governmental policies. To accommodate the new global paradigm, business practices continue to evolve, to better position organizations and to 2 increase their competitiveness. Changing business practices require knowledge workers to be better informed, and organizations need to be agile and dynamic in their use of intellectual property, foreign direct investments, and human capital management to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Global communities of practice (COP) utilize information in many locations, sharing information and knowledge from individual to individual and organization to organization. These knowledge communities utilize enabling technology to establish communication pathways. Stakeholders add value to the knowledge stream to work together seamlessly. Virtual enterprises span boundaries that previously were not conducive to knowledge exchange. Changes in work practices have introduced challenges that are different compared to traditional, co-located workplaces. For instance, an organization located in one location usually has a common language, cultural background, similar policies and procedures, and a legal system to operate. A virtual global workplace transcends geographic boundaries to take advantage of a diverse and varied workforce. The discussion of the global workplace sets the context for the research, insofar as the scope of the research expands beyond a U.S. centric focus. Global organizations look for ways to strengthen their business model and reduce costs, and many offshore locations are advantageous in reducing business costs. The challenges of cultural and linguistic barriers along with other business challenges such as differing laws, regulations, and standards require that global enterprises need to compete. The business model in virtual settings is different, with different business models in different locations. Organizations need to develop a context-sensitive knowledge strategy for each specific site, to effectively compete. The strategy required is one that offers improved stakeholder access to information, added value for organizations to provide for a return on shareholder investments. This research 3 will identify and evaluate the critical factors that enable knowledge exchange to take place among global STEM organizations. Two Academy of Management (2015) focus areas are relevant to this research, including “international management and technology and innovation management” (para. 1). The Academy of Management (2015) defines international management as the “theory, research, and practice of management with a cross-border or cross-cultural dimension” (para. 1). Further, the Academy of Management (2015) defines technology and innovative management as a discipline that pertains to the “interdisciplinary scholarship and dialog on the management of innovation and technological change from a variety of perspectives, including strategic, managerial, behavioral, and operational issues” (para. 1). Problem Statement The problem statement defined for this research is the challenge for global STEM organizations to share and exchange knowledge across cultural boundaries. The diversity of the global cultural mosaic introduces a new dynamic of workforce collaboration. Not only must individuals work towards a common business interest, but they must also develop interpersonal relationships, often with those who have a different cultural perspective. Multinational enterprises that operate globally have the challenge of being in multiple geographic locations spanning multiple cultural experiences and perspectives.The knowledge base for such organizations is dispersed over a wide geographic area (Asakawa & Lehrer, 2003, p. 31). This georgaphic dispersion presents challenges for individuals to locate information, exchange knowledge, and integrate knowledge based systems. Global STEM organizations compete in the worldwide marketplace, similar to domestic organizations. Global STEM organizations may derive competitive advantage from using varying degrees of knowledge from different geographic locations to leverage expertise in other locations. To be sucessful, kno