The Growing Need of Foreign Investors to Acquire Local Tacit Knowledge for a Sustainable Competitive Advantage in the Middle East

Abstract:     
This research came out of frustration.

Most of the research communities tackle Knowledge Management from a Technological point of view, and neglecting the socio-psychological side of the equation. This research seeks a deeper understanding of organizational and psychological phenomena taking place during the adoption and implementation of KM in a cross-cultural context. By the former we mean the culture of the foreign investor and the culture of the local individuals.

This initiative is to assist the foreign investor in being able to operate in both the tactical and functional level of the organization previously difficult to access this mainly due to heterogeneity of mind mapping.

Thus, the focus of the research, is to target knowledge resources requirements both of the functional level, where the clients interact and, and the tactical-strategic level, where the design and implementation of the new services and products is taking place.

Empirical work is based on a longitudinal Case Study. The research monitors an Automotive Club in a state of rapid business development and intense innovative behavior. Knowledge Management is being considered for adoption as a practice that could facilitate the sustainable development of new products and services, and beyond that the transition to a radically different set of operational arrangements. Ultimately, the strategic orientation of this organization is to become a Knowledge Broker.

In tandem with these developments, the Club in collaboration with the author's institution is proceeding with the development of an experimental KM infrastructure. This KM infrastructure consists of set of guidelines related to the management of its adoption.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 25

Keywords: knowledge, competitive, strategy, resources, work practices, adoption

JEL Classification: L10

working papers series