Han Lai
Knowledge Seeking in Knowledge Management: Towards a Knowledge Seeking Model in the Workplace
Year of entry: 2006
Status: Full Time
Research area: Information Behaviour
Research group: Information Management Innovation (IMI)
Research topic: Knowledge seeking in knowledge management: towards a knowledge seeking model
Research supervisors: Professor David Wainwright; Margaret Graham;
Background and Experience:
2005- Now: Northumbria University (PhD student in Knowledge Management)
2003-2004: Northumbria University (MSc in Business Information Technology)
Research description:
Knowledge sharing has long been regarded as a very important aspect in knowledge management. However, knowledge is special and is a result of a learning process. Knowledge sharing itself does not transfer knowledge. We gain knowledge only if we seek or learn it actively. From this perspective, this PhD research is exploring the knowledge seeking process in the workplace, trying to develop a process model to understand what is involved in knowledge seeking. Construction engineers, as knowledge worker, have been selected as target sample. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted among engineers from three construction companies in China. Template analysis is adopted to help understanding the data collected. It is believed in this research that problems solving, information seeking, and experiential learning are involved in knowledge seeking process.
Publications:
- Lai, H., Graham, M. (2009) A comparison of Chinese and UK cultural preferences supporting knowledge management in organizations. The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change. 9(5), pp.139-150.
- Lai, H., Graham, M. (2009) ‘Knowledge seeking in knowledge management: towards an adapted KM cycle’, in Proceedings of the 10th European conference on knowledge management, University of Padua Vicenza, Italy. 3-4 Sept. 2009.
- Lai, H., Graham, M. (2008) ‘National diversities in developing a supportive organizational culture for knowledge management: a comparative study between China and the UK’, Technology management and innovation in China: Challenges and opportunities in the 21st century: 2008 CAMOT International Conference. Beijing, China. 21st -23rd Oct. 2008. Volume 1, pp411-426
