Compartilhamento de conhecimento científico na perspectiva de pesquisadores da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

Abstract

Studies on knowledge management have pointed out the use of knowledge as a way for developing more efficient performances, due to the involvement of subjects on organizational processes, recognizing the value of knowledge assets as capable of making an enterprise successful. The literature in the area of knowledge management concentrates the discussions on business organizational environment and most of researches and applications are related to the organizational knowledge perspective. However, it is noted the existence of other contexts where knowledge management can be studied and discussed, among these, academic contexts on the scientific knowledge perspective. This work has investigated the environment of an academic institution with the aim of studying the scientific knowledge sharing at Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR). For so, a case study was developed at the institution, involving professors who met the following requirements: being primary adviser of doctorate dissertations and receiving Research Productivity Scholarship from CNPq. The data were collected by means of documental research and interviews were deeply analyzed using Content Analysis. The results showed that, even though there are not many studies on scientific knowledge management, the scientific environment already possesses elements used by KM. According to the interviewees, the process of knowledge acquisition and the interest in research activities are not tied to their professional area, but to their individual characteristics. Research is conducted in defined areas in order to deepen knowledge. Their production is related to the research conducted by their advisees and, in order to start a new study, they make use of literature, especially international journals. The communication channels mentioned were: participation in events, e-mails, trips, face to face contact, participation in boards, Skype, classes, forums, meetings, phone calls, chat, e-mail list, web page (open access and restricted by password), lectures, seminars, web server (with password), video conferencing. In relation to the formal communication, journals are chosen for their quality and credibility. There are no institutionalized tools and practices for sharing information and knowledge. It occurs in informal ways. However, investments have been recently made in tools such as the institutional portal, digital library of theses and dissertations and institutional repository. The institutional environment has limited physical space, on the other hand, it offers conditions for carrying out research activities. They consider contact with peers relevant for the development of their research activities.