Lean approach in knowledge work

Kropsu-Vehkaperä, Hanna; Isoherranen, Ville

doi:10.3926/jiem.2595

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Knowledge workers perform knowledge work which is multidimensional in nature and within each dimension there is wide variation in the essence of knowledge, level of work routines and standards, and the role of the persons themselves in work [80]. This view is also shared by D. Morello and F. Caldwell who distinguish different types of knowledge work, such as: task-based knowledge work, revolving around explicit operational processes, pre-engineered routines, well-defined responses and administrative activities, skill-based knowledge work which encompasses well-defined, well-prescribed, demonstrable, conducive to hands-on training domains of expertise, as well as innovationfocused knowledge work, which is characterized by tacit knowledge, high creativity, intense collaboration, communities of practice, high improvisation and extensive role versatility [63].…”

Section: Authorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Creative Knowledge Workers in Creative Organization

Sokół

Figurska

2021

Energies

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The growing importance of creative knowledge workers as a resource of particular significance for the growth of organizations is becoming one of the greatest challenges of the knowledge-based economy. Thus, the growing role of creative organizations contributes to building the economic potential of cities, regions, countries, but also of various organizations operating in the market. The development of civilization at its current stage has always been a source of this type of activity. Hence, the issue of understanding how creative knowledge workers operate has been and continues to be addressed by researchers around the world in recent years. The topic presented in this article on the knowledge and creativity of employees and their impact on the growth of creative organizations to a certain extent responds to this demand. The aim of the article is to clarify and extend the conceptualization in terms of creative activities performed by knowledge workers and the correlations with their characteristics and with knowledge initiatives. Achieving the set aim would allow to indicate that modern development depends on the proper generation of knowledge and creativity and the resources offered by an organization to facilitate its absorption in terms of growth prospects. The article reviews the research on cognitive, theoretical, methodological, and empirical issues regarding the development of creative knowledge workers employed in creative organizations as well as characteristics of workers and knowledge initiatives introduced in organizations. The analysis of the literature allowed to establish a research framework and indicate which knowledge initiatives are important and which characteristics of selected employees may be related to creative activities. Empirical verification was carried out through the analysis of basic descriptive statistics with Spearman’s ρ rank correlation and the relationship between nominal and ordinal variables using chi-square tests. The results of the study revealed significant relationships between the performance of creative activities and certain characteristics of knowledge workers as well as between the performance of creative activities and the introduction of knowledge initiatives. It turned out that the knowledge of the nature of the connections between the mentioned activities and knowledge initiatives is the basis for determining which knowledge initiatives in the case of a given creative organization will bring the best results in the form of taking effective creative activities by knowledge workers. Moreover, a person who performs creative activities has only some of the characteristics presented in this article. The research results are particularly relevant to the development of creative knowledge workers employed in creative organizations. Setting out guidelines aimed at changing this state of affairs and the research conducted allowed the identification of areas for improvement in order to ensure that they develop more effectively and meet the demands of competitiveness, generating more innovative ideas.

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Section: Authorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Creative Knowledge Workers in Creative Organization

Sokół

Figurska

2021

Energies

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“…As knowledge workers are required to process and make decisions in such complex and time-restricted situations, variation may be high in the initial phases. Management in such a knowledge-work-dominated environment is arguably more focused on simplifying and improving the processes of sharing, distributing, creating, capturing and understanding knowledge and information to perform the required functions and activities (Kropsu-Vehkapera and Isoherranen, 2018). Exploring the concept of waste in this context can advance the knowledge on LT implementation and support the improvement of quality and performance in PPS.…”

Section: Theory and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring knowledge work waste in public emergency services using the AHP algorithm

Santhiapillai

Ratnayake

2023

IJLSS

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Purpose This paper aims to explore knowledge work waste and defines the priorities for enhancing performance and productivity in policing and prosecution services (PPS), especially in the crime investigation process (CIP). Design/methodology/approach Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a case study of a Norwegian police district is examined to identify and prioritize the most performance-vulnerable crime investigation unit, using the adapted knowledge work waste as the performance metric. Findings Nine waste categories and 15 subcategories are identified and understood within a two-dimensional network of managerial and operational waste adapted for the PPS. The AHP helps classify levels of priority for each knowledge work waste and orderly prioritization of crime investigation units. Research limitations/implications The findings have limited generalizability, as they are based on a single Norwegian police district. This warrants research on the wider applicability of the adapted waste categories and approach. Practical implications This study can support public managers in implementing lean thinking and identifying the most prominent wastes in a complex system. In this context, processes and operations are among the factors dominated by knowledge work and are dependent on multiple stakeholders, cross-functional activities and interdisciplinary collaboration, which is more challenging to measure systematically and quantitatively than in a manufacturing environment. Originality/value This study contributes to the gap in lean thinking literature by advancing the knowledge on the adaptation and application of the foundational principles of lean thinking in the PPS and CIP.

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“…The status of knowledge workers is neither a zero-one category nor a homogeneous category (Pyoöriaä, 2005; Kropsu-Vehkaper and Isoherranen, 2018). Rather, the status of the knowledge worker depends on the quality of the knowledge work being performed.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers

Fryczyñska

Ciecierski

2020

JOCM

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PurposeStudies show that employability is fast becoming a significant subject when managing contemporary careers. Indeed, employee networking is a prerequisite for career success, but the literature lacks findings regarding the impact of networking on employability. Meanwhile, network organizations in the knowledge economy are gaining popularity and bringing rise to the number of knowledge workers in the labor force. The purpose of this paper is to show the impact of employee networking competence on the employability of knowledge workers, particularly in the wider context of network organizations.Design/methodology/approachIn order to verify our theoretical model, data was collected among a controlled sample of 1189 knowledge workers using a Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) surveying technique. Our model was verified through a series of structural equation models (SEM).FindingsResults show positive effects of network organizations and knowledge work on the networking competence of knowledge workers. The employability of knowledge workers does not just increase as these workers perform high-quality knowledge work. In order for employability to rise, knowledge workers must also exhibit networking competence. However, our study findings show that networking competence plays only a mediating role in the employability of knowledge workers.Originality/valueThis study focuses on the employability of knowledge workers in network organizations, which is an increasingly important concept for contemporary management. The paper contributes to the literature through its furthering of network and career management theories.

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Lean approach in knowledge work

Cited by 7 publications

References 26 publications

The Importance of Creative Knowledge Workers in Creative Organization

The Importance of Creative Knowledge Workers in Creative Organization

Exploring knowledge work waste in public emergency services using the AHP algorithm

Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers

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