Knowledge sharing and Total Quality Management: A conceptual framework

This paper examines factors that influence knowledge sharing and the role of knowledge sharing in Total Quality Management (TQM). Knowledge is recognized as a key element in production processes that enhances the capacity of companies to be more responsive to customers´ requirements. Prior works on knowledge sharing have focused on the service industry. This paper is one of the rare attempts to highlight the significance of knowledge sharing in developing functional manufacturing processes. We will develop a detailed literature on knowledge sharing including the conceptual development and the underpinning theory. We will apply a multi-method approach for data collection from a sample of about 1200 companies. Descriptive and Inferential analysis will be conducted to summarize and interpret the relationships between the variables, respectively. We expect the research findings to be useful to manufacturing companies in identifying essentials of knowledge sharing among employees. Consequently, we hope that effective knowledge sharing capacity in the companies would enable improved work processes and better manufacturing practices. Hence, efficient TQM and implications for lean manufacturing.