A Case Study on the Knowledge Sharing Among Transport Workers of REMGS Transport Service

Abstract

The study entitled "A Case Study on the Knowledge Sharing Among Transport Workers of REMGS Transport Service" aims to answer the question How do transport workers of REMGS Transport Service share knowledge among each other?" which has sub-problems: 1) Why do transport workers of the association need to share knowledge among each other?; and 2) What communication system is employed by the association in their knowledge sharing? The study adopted Helmstadter's (2003) two modes of knowledge sharing which explains how knowledge is shared by individuals implicitly and explicitly. Basing on the theoretical framework, the researcher used a study framework which incorporates other factors that yields to knowledge sharing like the use of communication technology and the dual roles of individuals in knowledge sharing. The qualitative descriptive study through the illustrative case study approach was conducted to FX drivers of REMGS Transport Service whose routes are from SM Fairview to SM north and vice versa. Three sessions of focus group discussion were conducted with different participants for each. All-in-all, there were twenty-two (22) drivers who participated in the sessions of focus group discussion. Key informant interviews were also conducted to three officers and the dispatcher of the association. Based from the research question, the following conclusions are made: 1) The transport workers of REMGS Transport Services need to share knowledge because of their work. The knowledge on the traffic situation and the passengers are what they need to share, which is also the explicit knowledge that they share with one another. Moreover, they also need to know how to repair and maintain their vehicles to have a good and easy trip. This reflects the tacit knowledge that they share with one another. They usually do those things together to learn from each other. Their need to share knowledge is also shown in the importance of knowledge sharing to them. Through knowledge sharing they are able to prevent wasting time and effort by avoiding traffic situations and traffic enforcers and knowing where the passengers are, they are able to help one another, they are able to build camaraderie and cooperation among each other, and new members are able to learn from the older members of the association; and 2) REMGS Transport Services use the meetings, the memo, and the two-way radio in the dissemination of information to its members. The members deliberately give out information to each other through the use of communication technology, specifically through the two-way radio. The dispatcher also gives out the information given by a particular driver to other drivers. The importance of the use of the two-way radio to their work is also reflected in the importance of talking to each other.