Mareike Davis

Driver Products, Analog Group

Driver Products, Analog Group

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how knowledge is transferred when a project member leaves a project before the project has been completed and how this process can be improved. Knowledge sharing theories present many factors and models to explain knowledge sharing. Although these theories tend to treat sharing and transfer as interchangeable, my research shows that knowledge sharing is a continuous process, while knowledge transfer occurs over a limited period of time when a project member leaves a project. This difference makes for interesting research in the fields of both knowledge and project management, where such situations are left unaddressed. In my research, I apply the most important and most discussed factors as well as the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) model to a case study in the semiconductor industry and show that this model and most factors also apply to knowledge transfer. The thesis answers the following research question: How do the factors of the AMO model for knowledge sharing apply to knowledge transfer during the departure of a project member in the semiconductor industry? Using a semi-structured interview guide, I gather data through interviews with eight project members in the semiconductor industry who have been both senders and receivers of knowledge in transfer situations. Comparing these findings to the theoretical propositions I construct about knowledge transfer, based on knowledge sharing theories, shows that some factors are more relevant than others and some do not apply at all to knowledge transfer. I conclude that drive, relationships, cooperation, and priorities have a high impact on knowledge transfer; language, competence, trust, withholding, access, and time have a slight impact on knowledge transfer; and hierarchies and incentives do not apply to knowledge transfer scenarios in the semiconductor industry. The new model I develop specifically for knowledge transfer in projects in the semiconductor (MOAT) reflects this ranking of factors.

The purpose of this project was to create a modular embedded systems platform that would provide a hands-on lab experience for students learning about embedded systems protocols. The system would be designed to be modular, expandable, and productizable. Its modularity would eliminate errors in the design and make the entire system more robust. It would also be expandable, which means additional project boards could be created in the future without requiring a complete redesign of the system. And finally, productizing the entire system would allow it to be sold to other universities who may have a similar program that would benefit from a system such as the OCTOPUS.