Knowledge sharing in an automobile project: the new Ford Ecosport in Brazil

Abstract

The experience lived by a project development team for the new EcoSport at Ford Motor in Camaçari, Bahia was investigated regarding the knowledge sharing between its members. The goal was to evaluate that process, aimed at improving the team’s work on new projects. The research focus was placed on two questions: a) what modes of knowledge sharing were preferably practiced. b) What was the effectiveness of these modes on the development process? To answer these questions, we conducted a survey among team’s members followed by an analysis of their social network. The research found isolated members or with few ties between them. The network was also isolated in relation to other important actors of the company. The modes of socialization for capturing knowledge and externalization for the transmission of knowledge were the most preferred and effective by the majority of the team members. The authors concluded that it is highly recommended to increase the balance of the knowledge sharing via the stimulation of modes of combination and internalization.