The implementation and impact study of the knowledge mobilization model for decision support in agri-food supply chains

Zhao, Guoqing, Liu, Shaofeng, Chen, H., Elgueta, S., Manzur, J. P. and Lopez, Carmen (2020) The implementation and impact study of the knowledge mobilization model for decision support in agri-food supply chains. Linden, Isabelle, Turon, A, Dargam, F and Jayawickrama, U. (eds.) In Proceedings of the 2020 International Conference on Decision Support System Technology: Cognitive Decision Support Systems & Technologies. Universidad de Zaragoza. pp. 137-143 . (doi:10.26754/uz.978-84-18321-00-9).

Abstract

The current world business environment is characterized by increasing uncertainties,complexities, and risks, which requires agri-food supply chain (AFSC) managers to respondand act quickly in a context full of instability and unpredictability. Increasing pressure placedon AFSC managers intensifies the need to combine knowledge management (KM) and decisionsupport that rapidly overcome knowledge boundaries. It has been recognized that the researchissue related to the knowledge mobilization crossing boundaries in the AFSC needs to beaddressed. This paper investigates knowledge boundaries and boundary-spanning mechanismswith the data collected from experienced AFSC practitioners. Results from the empirical studyverified that knowledge boundaries such as syntactic boundaries, semantic boundaries, andpragmatic boundaries could be effectively tackled by four specific boundary-spanningmechanisms: boundary spanners, boundary objects, boundary practices, and boundarydiscourses. Furthermore, an efficient knowledge mobilization process helps to increase the economic benefits and social benefits, as well as helps to improve operation management and efficiency of AFSC companies. This study advances existing literature on identifying factors of knowledge boundaries and boundary-spanning mechanisms, and defining the role of boundary-spanning mechanisms in tackling different knowledge boundaries. The results of this study have the potential to help AFSC managers to tackle knowledge boundaries effectively and efficiently, and to improve the performance of the AFSC companies.

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Contributors

Author: Carmen Lopez

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