Patriotta, Gerardo (1999) Organizational knowledge in the making : history, breakdowns and narratives. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The
present study
looks
at the
dynamics
whereby organisational
knowledge
comes
into
existence and
is
eventually crystallised
into
stable structures of signification
through processes of utilisation and
institutionalisation. Recent
years
have
seen an
astounding explosion of writing about organisational
knowledge. In different
versions, organisational
theorists have been
paying
increasing
attention to the idea
of
the firm
as a
body
of
knowledge,
stressing
in
turn the ability of
firms to create,
manage and
transfer knowledge
as a critical success
factor. However, the current
debate
on the topic has highlighted the
difficulty
of
documenting
empirically the
process of creation, accumulation and maintenance of
knowledge in
organisations.
This,
of course,
begs
the question:
how is it
possible
to
relate an empirical study to
the theoretical
debate
on
knowledge in
organisations?
More
specifically,
how does
a
particular
knowledge
system emerge and
become stabilised?
How does it
evolve over
time? In this study, we argue that the
lack
of attention
to knowledge
as an empirical
phenomenon can
be
traced
back
to the assumptions underlying
the mainstream
knowledge-based theories of the firm,
which emphasise the instrumental, functional
character of
knowledge in
organisations.
In
contrast
to the functionalist
view of
knowledge,
we contend
that mainstream assumptions need to
be combined with those
perspectives
focusing
on
the
social construction of
knowledge
and
highlighting its
contentious, provisional nature.
Given the problems
identified
at
both
theoretical and
methodological
levels,
the present study proposes a
framework for
studying
knowledge
as an empirical phenomenon based on three methodological
lenses, which
are echoed
in
the title of this work:
history, breakdowns
and narratives.
The
three
lenses have
to
be
seen as
bringing into focus the tacit
features
of
knowledge
and
organisation.
The
empirical core of the
research is
evidenced
by three
in-depth
case
studies conducted at
Fiat Auto Italy. The findings
of
the
study provide
the backbone
for
constructing a theoretical
model of
knowledge in
organisations.
The
model
links
the content, process, and context of
knowledge-related
phenomena
in
a coherent
classificatory system.
More
generally, the empirical research highlights
the systemic,
institutionalised,
and multi-faceted nature of
knowledge in
organisations.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Knowledge management, Organizational learning, Management
Official Date:	July 1999
Dates:	Date Event July 1999 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Business School
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Pettigrew, Andrew M. (Andrew Marshall), 1944- ; Scarbrough, Harry, 1955-
Sponsors:	European Union (EU)
Extent:	273 leaves : illustrations
Language:	eng

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