Title: Roadmap for knowledge sharing and transfer: sustaining outsourcing relationships

Authors: Kongkiti Phusavat, Pekka Kess

Addresses: International Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. ' International Graduate Program in Industrial Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

Abstract: The research deals with the subjects of knowledge sharing and transfer within the context of outsourcing relationships. There are many activities and practices that have been identified to be useful among partners (i.e. buyer/manufacturer and provider/suppliers) such as story telling, job rotation across firms, hiring former staffs from manufacturers and shared database. Further analysis has led to the development of a roadmap designed to help plan for a better partnership with the suppliers. This research involved 15 cases with over 24 companies in Finland for identifying key relevant activities and practices. An executive in Thailand further assisted the extension of these findings and the roadmap development. The primary benefit from this research is to minimise possible mistakes, misunderstanding and miscommunication), especially during a transitional period when a manufacturer decides to outsource some of its operations to the suppliers.

Keywords: knowledge sharing; knowledge transfer; outsourcing relationships; sustainable outsourcing; supplier partnerships; Finland; Thailand.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2008.018045

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2008 Vol.5 No.5, pp.496 - 511

Published online: 28 Apr 2008 *

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