Impact of unrecognized knowledge-gatekeepers and lack of job rotation in product development process of growing organizations

Abstract

In technology oriented organizations like those enclosed in the Automotive Industry, effective communication and collaboration are core competencies that, when properly managed, generate a constant flow of information and ideas that can keep activated the innovation process inside the organization. The complex architecture of the communication systems and their close relationship with the organizational structure have been previously studied to help organizations improve their communication and overcome their own unique challenges. In this thesis, I review the communication system of a Product Development Organization (PDO) along with the influence that the organizational structure has in the communication process complexity. I explain how the opportune identification of the key individuals in the communication system that serve as gatekeepers of the technological information is critical to the success of product development processes and innovation progress. Finally, a survey in an automotive PDO was conducted with the aim to understand how the communication system currently works and integrate the technological gatekeeper concept as a strategy to reinforce the transfer of technological information that increases effectiveness of execution along with innovation.