Abstract:
The objectives of this research aimed to develop knowledge synthesis model for converting individual tacit into explicit knowledge, and to initiate multichannel of media for knowledge management through the model as developed. Sampling groups were totally 632 participants. Research methods were divided into 3 parts starting from the implementation of learning process framework, followed by qualitative research via interview, gathered from the management from other organizations, then quantitative research through 2 questionnaires about opinions on knowledge management as well as media and knowledge synthesis respectively. Knowledge Synthesis model through multichannel of media consisted of 6 steps including 1) Knowledge Acquisition which 3 types of media for presenting synthesized knowledge were announcement board, manual, and email respectively 2) Knowledge Creation: board, email, and specification 3) Knowledge Storage: computer file on share point, email, and photo/graph 4) Knowledge Reuse: specification, email, and storytelling 5) Knowledge Synthesis: email, board, and group meeting 6) Knowledge Sharing: email, board, and informal talk. The developed model was practically implemented by a treatment group in the sampling company. With respect to qualitative method, researcher interviewed the management opinions from other organizations in case that they had chance to realistically implementing the framework in their firms. The comments were positive in accordance to the overall result from satisfaction survey which was in high satisfaction level towards the model. In terms of quantitative research, knowledge management questionnaire was analyzed by t-test method. It found that treatment group significantly differed from non-treatment group regarding knowledge management aspects. Additionally, using Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, it reported that knowledge acquisition, knowledge creation, knowledge storage, knowledge sharing, knowledge reuse, knowledge codification, knowledge application, and knowledge evaluation had significant correlations with knowledge synthesis. With regard to media and knowledge synthesis questionnaire, the structural equation modeling of knowledge synthesis using multichannel of media, developed by the researcher, included goodness of fit with empirical data (X2 = 1.001, GFI = .957, AGFI = .942, CFI = .999, SRMR = .022, RMSEA = .013, CN = 644.871). Factors affecting to direct and total influences on knowledge synthesis with the influence coefficients ranged from large to small as efficiency (0.52), character (0.28), and type of media (0.13) that accounted for 76.2% of the variance in knowledge synthesis. The research data were also found that the first two used types of media were 1) Written Document: specification and manual 2) Verbal Interaction: meeting and informal talk 3) One-way Video and Audio & Visual Aid: board and photo/graph 4) Two-way Communication: training course and mentoring 5) Two-way Remote Communication: talk over telephone and conference call 6) Electronic-based Media: email and Wikipedia respectively.