Knowledge Management Process Supported By The Apo Manual In A Technology Based Company

Abstract

Technology Based Company (TBCs) are knowledge dependent, a fundamental resource for value creation, innovation and competitive advantage. Their ability to identify, create, store, share and apply this knowledge permeates TBCs, and their management is essential.  The objective was to analyze the Knowledge Management (KM) process in a TBC to identify at each stage methods and tools used, according to the KM APO Manual (YOUNG, 2010). A qualitative approach was adopted, through a single case study, with exploratory and descriptive objectives, using primary and secondary data. Content analysis was used to analyze the data with the aid of NVivo® 12 software. Some methods and tools were identified in the company in each of the five phases of the GC. The organization of these phases revealed the potential to transform knowledge into a competitive advantage. This study contributes to the literature on the subject, confirming, through empirical evidence, that the APO Manual proved to be an effective way to identify methods and tools of the KM process, different from the proposal of the user manual to implement the KM process. The framework of the KM process presented from the APO Manual can help identify the areas that should concentrate the KM initiatives in the company, as opportunities for improvement that can reflect even more on the company's performance.