Maria Sousa

Knowledge and Innovation Dilemmas Maria Sousa

This research examines the convergence between different perceptions of organisational actors regarding the creation and sharing of knowledge in innovation processes. It also studies if individual knowledge impacts in the innovation process and consequently in the organisation?s direction. We will conceptualize individual knowledge as tacit knowledge and assume that it may boost innovation and consequently company development. However, we will assume that explicit knowledge cannot be separated from a process of understanding, needing the individual?s tacit knowledge to complete the sharing process. In this context explicit and tacit knowledge will be studied as two inseparable assets. Data was collected through interviews and group recall techniques using the Action Research methodology. This research contributes to the body of knowledge about tacit knowledge sharing in innovation processes, proposing knowledge profiles as facilitators of knowledge sharing between organisational actors and provides a model with several guidelines for researchers and practitioners to implement innovation and change processes supported by knowledge sharing.