Data analysis consists of examining the data, category and tabulating, testing or other systems to produce evidence-based conclusions (Yin, 2009, p. 126). Quantitative analysis made with SPSS or Excel programs needs to be processed from data into information. With frequencies, classifications, relationships between different variables and graphics, raw data can be turned into descriptive and illustrated form (e.g. Saunders et al., 2009). Non-graphical and graphical analysis methods play a complementary role in obtaining a comprehensive picture of the data. The non-graphical methods represent the quantitative and objective approach, while non-graphical methods such as qualitative and subjective analysis are also required. (Seltman, 2015) The qualitative analysis of the interviews was done by content analysis. The purpose of content analysis is to obtain a description of the examined phenomena in summarized form. Although the analysis considers respondents’ interpretations of the phenomena and weight of the texts, content differentiation enables us to represent the content of the text for instance in a quantitative way.
All in all, the purpose of the analysis is to describe the content of the interview verbally. (Tuomi and Sarajärvi, 2002)
All the analyses of the current research were made by the author. The author is aware of the small sample of the research and therefore it was only possible to carry out limited quantitative analysis. Furthermore, only analyses with highly statistically signiÀcant results are considered.
Therefore, the low response rate of the Internet inquiries and the results of the separate studies can be considered descriptive, rather than universal. Descriptive statistics enables the researcher to describe or compare variables numerically (Saunders et al., 2009, p. 444). Frequencies are the simplest descriptive analysis to obtain the characteristic of variances, e.g. the percentage of the specific responses (e.g. Saunders et al., 2009). All the studies (A, B, C, and D) were analysed with frequencies to describe the distribution of the results. In all the studies, graphics play a strong role in the presentation, e.g. pie charts or bar charts. Visualizing the data, categorizing the results or assorting the data with graphics or detailing the tables beside the text richens the representation of the results (Saunders et al., 2009).
Study A enabled the most diverse utilization of quantitative analysis. The purpose was to obtain a comprehensive picture of KM, KM practices and challenges and the utilization of information systems in Finnish companies. Additionally, the KM challenges and development targets were analysed in order to gain the information about the complex phenomena of the KM in different functions that occurred among the employee (Paper I). The formulated sum variables were analysed with a frequency description to obtain a picture of the strategy work and decision practices or structures of the organization in communication practices etc. The frequencies were tabulated to present for instance the definitions and the identified functions of KM in the
companies, how the knowledge resources and information systems were utilized or the organization efficiency.
In exploratory research, it is interesting to explore the relationships between different variables (e.g. Saunders et al., 2009). Therefore, regression analyses were done to identify whether some variable caused the other variable to change or whether there was a cause and effect relationship (ibid.). By strengthening the frequencies, the correlations were analysed, e.g. what factors affect the change between certain variables in systematic KM practices or utilization of organization-internal knowledge resources. Furthermore, with factor analysis the most effective factor for certain phenomena was analysed, e.g. for organization-external knowledge utilization.
The frequencies were illustrated in graphics for information systems utilization, KM challenges and KM development targets. The purpose of the analyses was to identify the KM challenges in large Finnish enterprises and consider the challenges through the lenses of uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity and equivocality. The study A gave an overall picture of KM functions and information system utilization. With the results of Study A, the critical factors of communication, knowledge acquisition and sharing, information technological systems or data utilization and policy as well as KM challenges or development targets were identified. The results opened an opportunity to consider the innovativeness in the organization throughout KM lenses.
Study B included quantitative descriptive frequency analyses and rotated component matrix (sum variable) analysis of the usage of knowledge and IT in large enterprises and in SMEs.
Furthermore, the qualitative interviews were analysed using content analysis. The comparison in innovation between the large companies and SMEs gave an interesting initial scenario. The purpose of the analyses was to obtain a picture of the KM challenges and development targets and the technology utilization that either promote or restrict open knowledge sharing and the networking that affects the organization’s innovation capacity. Therefore, Paper II contains data from study A and study B.
Frequency analyses and rotated component matrix (sum variable) analysis results were tabulated. Correlations were analysed between open knowledge dialogue, open knowledge availability, internal and external networks with regression analysis. Qualitative analysis was done using content analysis. The transcribed data from the interviews was classified and codified with colours. The analyses were combined and reported. Using graphics, information systems utilization, organizational challenges and organization development targets were illustrated.
The KM analyses helped to understand the utilization of the internal or external knowledge of the organization in the company’s development and innovation processes. Moreover, the co-operation and network practices and the employee’s competence development were discovered.
The information system activity analyses revealed the utilization of the information system resource in the companies. The results guided the author to take into account those identified factors in KM practices, co-operation and open innovation resource utilization in innovation processes.
Study C consisted of frequencies and means. A simple radar chart illustrated the results of the questionnaire that focused on engineering management in the case organization. The purpose of the analysis was firstly to obtain confirmation of whether the existing innovation process model of the case organization was being implemented in the organization practices and secondly, to give guidance towards the development of a customer value-creation process model.
The analyses revealed the functional KM practices that need to be considered in organization processes to promote internal organization innovation processes.
The engineering change management (Tavcar & Duhovnik, 2005) analyses, as well as the analyses of the existing databases utilization, purpose were in order to gain a comprehensive picture about the case company´s databases utilization in the product development process. Even though the technology approach measurement was different than in Studies A and B the analyses unveiled the same kinds of results in the technology utilization theme. The analyses increased the information about the technology resource exploitation, especially in the innovation processes.
The analyses of the innovation and development culture theme were for obtain understanding about those critical motors or restrictions that either promote or hinder innovativeness in the company. Additionally, the analyses guided the case company to the internal process development and the processes needed deeper exploration in the next step. The analyses of the individual level orientation for the customer value creation, or the individual seeking a comfort zone were essential for the case company in order to gain information about change readiness in the changing work. Moreover, the company was in the organizational change situation and needed data about the issue. The contribution of the case study analyses was the information required to be considered in an organization internal innovation process.
Study D consisted only of the frequencies with percentages. The responses of the economic, production and development, and technology viewpoints were combined and illustrated with pie charts. The purpose of the analysis was to describe the overall picture of future research implementation in Finnish large enterprises. Although the study was limited, the robust theory of future research with alternative future methodologies provides a strong basis for forthcoming research and analysis. The contribution of the analyses was in order to gain information about the future awareness of the companies.
Since the purpose of the current research was to offer information to support the innovation process in organization practices, Figure 6 illustrates with the links how independent studies A, B, C and D produced information for the current research. The empirical results and the critical KM practices that either promote or hinder organizational development and innovativeness are summarized in Table 8.
Figure 6. Independent studies and information progression for IAGM