The Influence of Communication on Knowledge Integration in CFTs: A Case of Chinese Mobile Applications Enterprise

Yixuan Wang

Abstract


We examine the relationship between communication and knowledge integration (KI) in the context of a cross-functional teams (CFTs). Although communication is one of the most important processes for integrating knowledge in CFTs, little research examines the relationship between them. We adopt both qualitative and quantitative research methods in a Chinese mobile applications enterprise. We find that team communication plays a key role in the KI of CFTs. Team members should have sufficient communication with each other for cross-functional activities. Also, communication network structure in an enterprise can influence KI. Thus, enterprises need to select suitable team members before the project begins for effective KI in CFTs.


Full Text:

PDF

References


Berggren, C. (Ed.). (2011). Knowledge integration and innovation: Critical challenges facing international technology-based firms. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199693924.001.0001

Borgatti, S. P., Everett, M. G., & Freeman, L. C. (2002). Ucinet for Windows: Software for social network analysis. Analytic Technologies, Natick, MA.

Bryman, A. (2006). Integrating quantitative and qualitative research: how is it done?. Qualitative research, 6(1), 97-113. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794106058877

Clark, K. B., & Fujimoto, T. (1991). Product Development Performance, Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.

Denison, D. R., Hart, S. L., & Kahn, J. A. (1996). From chimneys to cross-functional teams: Developing and validating a diagnostic model. Academy of management journal, 39(4), 1005-1023.

Dougherty, D. (1992). Interpretive barriers to successful product innovation in large firms. Organization Science, 3(2), 179-202. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.3.2.179

Freeman, L. C., Roeder, D., & Mulholland, R. R. (1979). Centrality in social networks: II. Experimental results. Social networks, 2(2), 119-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8733(79)90002-9

Grant, R. M. (1996). Prospering in dynamically-competitive environments: Organizational capability as knowledge integration. Organization Science, 7(4), pp.375-387. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.7.4.375

Huang, J. C., & Newell, S. (2003). Knowledge integration processes and dynamics within the context of cross-functional projects. International journal of project management, 21(3), 167-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0263-7863(02)00091-1

Iansiti, M. (1995). Shooting the rapids: Managing product development in turbulent environments. California Management Review, 38(1), 37-58. https://doi.org/10.2307/41165820

Kleinsmann, M., Buijs, J., & Valkenburg, R. (2010). Understanding the complexity of knowledge integration in collaborative new product development teams: A case study. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 27(1-2), 20-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jengtecman.2010.03.003

Majchrzak, A., More, P. H., & Faraj, S. (2012). Transcending knowledge differences in cross-functional teams. Organization Science, 23(4), 951-970. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1110.0677

Nesta, L., & Saviotti, P. P. (2006). Firm knowledge and market value in biotechnology. Industrial and Corporate Change, 15(4), 625-652. https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/dtl007

Newell, S., Tansley, C., & Huang, J. (2004). Social capital and knowledge integration in an ERP project team: the importance of bridging and bonding. British Journal of Management, 15(S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2004.00405.x

Okhuysen, G. A., & Eisenhardt, K. M. (2002). Integrating knowledge in groups: How formal interventions enable flexibility. Organization Science, 13(4), 370-386. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.13.4.370.2947

Robert Jr, L. P., Dennis, A. R., & Ahuja, M. K. (2008). Social capital and knowledge integration in digitally enabled teams. Information Systems Research, 19(3), 314-334. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1080.0177

Ruan, X., Ochieng, E. G., Price, A. D., & Egbu, C. O. (2012). Knowledge integration process in construction projects: a social network analysis approach to compare competitive and collaborative working. Construction Management and Economics, 30(1), 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2011.654127

Rus, I., & Lindvall, M. (2002). Knowledge management in software engineering. IEEE Software, 19(3), 26. https://doi.org/10.1109/MS.2002.1003450

Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2010). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. London: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506335193

Tell, F. (2011). Knowledge integration and innovation: a survey of the field. Knowledge Integration and Innovation: Critical challenges facing international technology-based firms, 25, 69.

Tiwana, A. (2004). An empirical study of the effect of knowledge integration on software development performance. Information and Software Technology, 46(13), 899-906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2004.03.006

Wang, Y., & Jiang, B. (2018). Modular and Integral Knowledge Integration: From the Case of a Chinese IT Enterprise. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 17(01), 1850012.

Wynn, E., & Novick, D. G. (1995, August). Conversational conventions and participation in cross-functional design teams. In Proceedings of the conference on Organizational computing systems (pp. 250-257). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/224019.224046

Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage publications.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.5296/ijhrs.v8i3.13327

Copyright (c) 2018 Yixuan Wang

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

International Journal of Human Resource Studies  ISSN 2162-3058

Email: ijhrs@macrothink.org

Copyright © Macrothink Institute  

To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'macrothink.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------