| Author | Yiarayong Klangboonkrong |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration in Management of Technology, School of Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The human element, or human factor, is widely accepted as the most significant factor
contributing to safety in maritime operations. Training, in turn, is commonly regarded as
the best means of improving the human element. This research stemmed from the
contemporary phenomena in a shipping company based in Thailand seeking to improve its
navigation safety. Given its objective, the company shared the common belief in human
element and provided bridge team management (BTM) training course to its deck officers.
The research sought to answer whether there exist further opportunities in addition to
training, particularly in systematically managing the knowledge/experience gained by its
officers, in improving the company’s safety in navigation. The case study method was
used in this single-case study in order to gain meaningful, qualitative insights from an
underrepresented context in KM literature. The propositions were made with regards of a)
the nature of the knowledge content, b) the condition of knowledge utilisation, and c)
knowledge transparency and disparity. These dimensions help determine the appropriate
interventions concerning KM for navigation safety improvements. The research proposes
that the tacit dimension of a certain knowledge asset, given its nature of content and
condition of utilisation, has to be managed differently from its explicit counterpart.
Another proposition argues that the disparity in knowledge held by knowledge users has to
be taken into account when considering interventions, especially when targeting tacit
knowledge. Suggested KM-related measures to the company, based largely on propositions
made, include; securing consistency in implicit and explicit communications regarding
safety and learning; shaping the context appropriate for utilising knowledge; establishing
knowledge goals; achieving adequate knowledge transparency; collective learning as a
complement to one-way knowledge distribution; and utilising own past experiences |
| Year | 2008 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (Executive) in International Business - Management of Technology (VN/BKK)) |
| Chairperson(s) | Igel, Barbara; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sununta Siengthai ;Dimmitt, Nicholas J. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | THAILAND (HM King);AIT Fellowship; |