Title: Knowledge renewal in industry, a question of relationship between product and process

Authors: David Urso, Beatrice Vacher

Addresses: Ecole des mines of Albi-Carmaux, Industrial Engineering Center, Route de Teillet, 81013 Albi CT cedex 09, France. ' Ecole des mines of Ales, Centre LGI2P, site ERIEE, Parc Scientifique George Besse, 30035 Nimes cedex 1, France

Abstract: In order to consolidate their competitive advantages, companies have adopted new organisational structures for design. However, these structures are often inadequate to the innovative process. The latter would be far better served by a knowledge development process revealing the importance of the relationship between product development and process manufacturing. In the particular case of the mould industry, process engineers, as intermediaries between product and tool, play a crucial role here. But, while they contribute to knowledge creation, they are not universally active in the entire knowledge renewal process. Case studies show some difficulties encountered by companies in integrating process knowledge in production. Two models emphasise the role of the combination of three resources – material, human and symbolic resources – in organisations to enhance the renewal of knowledge between product and process developments.

Keywords: combination of resources; information functions; knowledge creation; knowledge renewal; organisational structures; innovation; product development; process manufacturing; process knowledge; mould indutry; moulding; knowledge management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2004.005329

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2004 Vol.4 No.2/3, pp.261 - 275

Published online: 23 Sep 2004 *

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