Knowledge Management

The Netherlands is characterised by the presence of a high-level knowledge-driven maritime cluster. Within this cluster there is close cooperation by the various players, such as shipyards, research institutes, engineering companies and specialised suppliers. Thanks to this cooperation the industry has succeeded in maintaining its position as a worldwide leader in key niche markets such as tugs, dredgers and barges. As IHC Merwede’s knowledge center, MTI Holland represents IHC Merwede within this cluster.

However, knowledge management within the company is just as important for IHC Merwede, or maybe more so, than cooperation within the cluster. To maintain its leading position as a technology innovator in both the dredging and the offshore market it is of vital importance to profit optimally from the knowledge available within the company.

At MTI Holland pilot projects have been initiated with the following goals:

• To centrally gather the available knowledge
• To improve knowledge access by facilitating the processes of knowledge transfer between individuals and departments
• To improve the knowledge environment by achieving a proactive attitude towards knowledge creation, transfer and use

The instruments that are applied within MTI Holland will be evaluated and will serve as a recommendation for knowledge management implementation within the whole IHC Merwede organisation.