Title: Model for mapping Knowledge Management in product development: a case study at a truck and bus manufacturer

Authors: S.L. Da Silva, H. Rozenfeld

Addresses: Federal University of Sao Carlos, DCI and PPGEP, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235, CEP: 13565-905, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil. ' University of Sao Paulo, Advanced Manufacturing Nucleus (NUMA), Av. Trabalhador Sao Carlense, 400, CEP 13566-590, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil

Abstract: Knowledge Management (KM) is an essential process to support New Product Development (NPD). This paper proposes a model for mapping knowledge management capability in NPD based on the occurrence of knowledge conversions in NPD dimensions. There are four conversions related to two types of knowledge: tacit and explicit (socialisation, externalisation, combination and internalisation). The dimensions of NPD are: strategy, organisation, activity and resource. The model has been applied to the real case of a truck and bus manufacturer to diagnose the knowledge conversions of its NPD. This case, the first to validate the model, also served to improve the model|s content.

Keywords: automotive knowledge management; KM; new product development; automotive NPD; automobile industry; knowledge conversion; diagnostics; truck and bus manufacturers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2007.014976

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.216 - 234

Published online: 29 Aug 2007 *

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