Title: Knowledge-based integrated Production Management Model applied to automotive companies

Authors: Jorge Muniz Jr., Edgard Dias Batista Jr., Geilson Loureiro

Addresses: Production Department, Sao Paulo State University, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha 333, Guaratingueta, SP 12.516-410, Brazil. ' Production Department, Sao Paulo State University, Av. Ariberto Pereira da Cunha 333, Guaratingueta, SP 12.516-410, Brazil. ' INPE – Brazilian Institute for Space Research, LIT – Laboratory of Integration and Testing, ITA – Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Av. dos Astronautas, 1758, Caixa Postal 515, Sao Jose dos Campos, SP 12227-010, Brazil

Abstract: This paper aims to examine the relevance of a production management model, in the shop-floor operations environment, that integrates the dimensions of production organisation (lean and mass production), work organisation (enriched and semi-autonomous groups) and knowledge management. A theoretical model has been applied to automotive companies to verify model adherence. Each of those dimensions has been described by factors. Shop-floor personnel interviews were conducted to confirm the factors relevance to that company. Results have shown that the model represented the reality of those companies concerning the researched dimensions. The factors allow managers to promote a favourable context for knowledge sharing.

Keywords: knowledge management; work organisation; production organisation; production modelling; production management; automotive companies; tacit knowledge; automobile industry; knowledge sharing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKMS.2010.038171

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies, 2010 Vol.4 No.3, pp.301 - 318

Received: 29 Jan 2010
Accepted: 17 Nov 2010
Published online: 19 Jan 2011 *

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