FW: PhD Proposal Presentation - Athar Qureshi

[Kerry Ceradini]

 

 

-----Original Appointment-----
From: Kerry Ceradini
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2012 3:23 PM
To: Kerry Ceradini; CIS-Seminars Announce
Cc: Qureshi, Athar Mahmood Ahmed - quram001
Subject: PhD Proposal Presentation - Athar Qureshi
When: Monday, 16 April 2012 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (UTC+09:30) Adelaide.
Where: D1-05, Mawson Lakes

 

 

Dear colleagues

 

You are invited to attend a PhD Proposal Presentation by Athar Qureshi.

 

Date: Monday 16^th April, 2012

 

Time: 11.30am

 

Location: D1-05, Mawson Lakes

 

Athar Qureshi, PhD Candidate

 

Title:

Dynamic Absorptive Capacity: Trust Implications of Social Networks for Operationalising Absorptive Capacity

 

Abstract:

In rapidly changing and dynamic environments an organisation must have dynamic capabilities, to sustain its competitive advantage among rivals. Knowledge Management research has produced strategies that enable organisations to innovate and create value. Although Absorptive Capacity (AC) has been extensively studied as a construct during the last two decades, survey-based empirical studies have only paid attention to the linear relationship between AC and performance measures. Issues of trust have also been studied in Knowledge Management, Absorptive Capacity and Innovation in organisations, but it has not yet been studied in a great deal with respect to its multi-faceted implications on Absorptive Capacity.

 

In this thesis we aim to offer a holistic approach for studying ‘trust’ as a basic ingredient for constructing a social relationship in a social network. This relationship influences the Absorptive Capacity of an organisation. A trust-based relationship can enhance the AC and drives the organisation towards innovativeness and competitive advantage. A lack of trust, on the other hand, will stifle creativity and progress in knowledge focused organisations. We will outline a revised Knowledge Management Framework as a contribution to theory for use in future research. The research will further contribute to understanding the organisational innovativeness and competitiveness on the grounds of Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning Capabilities. The following research question is addressed: “What are the Trust-related Organisational, Environmental, Technical and Human (Social) Issues that Influence the uptake and use of Social Networks to Enhance Absorptive Capacity of an Organisation towards Innovation and Competitive Advantage?”

 

The research will adopt a qualitative approach by reviewing literature and conducting an empirical investigation. This will help us to extend the notion of knowledge management from that of the development and maintenance of systems (i.e. collecting, storing and disseminating the information and data) to one that recognises the dynamic nature of Absorptive Capacity. This includes the dynamic process of knowledge absorption through structuring and utilising trust-based social networks. We will also investigate how Information and Communication Technologies are used to mediate in this purpose within real-world organisations.

 

Kind regards

Kerry