Knowledge Dynamics and Expert Knowledge Translation: A Case Study

Knowledge dynamics means variation of knowledge in time and space. Over time, knowledge levels can increase through accumulation, or decrease through loss. Also, knowledge may change its quality through transformation from one form into another. In space, knowledge can move from one place to another one, generating a flow (i.e., knowledge flow). The present paper aims at analyzing the knowledge dynamics associated to the process of expert knowledge translation, present in almost all life domains. Knowledge translation is based on communication and transformation of knowledge. Among many models used to explain knowledge translation, we present in this paper the expert knowledge translation that is used whenever an expert is sharing his expertise with one or several individuals interested in that knowledge. We analyze the whole process of expert knowledge translation from a conceptual perspective and then we present a case study describing expert knowledge translation. Knowledge translation is necessary because the source and the receiver of the messages have different semantic domains and levels of understanding based on their education, background and their analytical skills. The main barrier in knowledge translation is the absorptive capacity of the receiver. If the absorptive capacity is rather small, the translation efficiency is very small. This situation can be improved if the translation process is broken into several smaller knowledge translation processes like in a cascade. The paper presents the model of such a cascade for expert knowledge translation showing how to construct it. As an application, the paper presents a case study focused on a company manufacturing gas turbines (GTM). The company is a global supplier of gas turbines and we show how engineering expert knowledge is translated in a cascade from design to manufacturing, automation, testing, installing and commissioning turbines to end users.