Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation

This thesis investigates individual and organizational learning, focusing on the impacts of knowledge acquisition and transfer due to cognitive, social, and organizational proximity. A literature review on individual, team, and organizational learning identified how knowledge is acquired and transfe...

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Main Author: Hernandez, Matthew John
Other Authors: Moser, Bryan R.
Format: Thesis
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2022
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/140027
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author Hernandez, Matthew John
author2 Moser, Bryan R.
author_facet Moser, Bryan R.
Hernandez, Matthew John
author_sort Hernandez, Matthew John
collection MIT
description This thesis investigates individual and organizational learning, focusing on the impacts of knowledge acquisition and transfer due to cognitive, social, and organizational proximity. A literature review on individual, team, and organizational learning identified how knowledge is acquired and transferred. Knowledge can be broken down into two main categories, explicit and tacit. Tacit knowledge is difficult to articulate and transmit but can frequently occur through collaboration. Simulation analyses using an agent-based model was utilized to explore collaboration as a mechanism for knowledge transfer. Large cognitive distances showed significant increases in collaboration times and a decrease in overall organizational performance. Agents with no prior experience will acquire more knowledge when placed on mixed skilled teams than similarly skilled teams but at the cost of more senior agents’ ability to complete their work demands. With more data readily available, organizations should be more intentional about talent management regarding the development of new skills to penetrate an organization.
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spelling mit-1721.1/1400272022-02-08T03:49:56Z Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation Hernandez, Matthew John Moser, Bryan R. System Design and Management Program. This thesis investigates individual and organizational learning, focusing on the impacts of knowledge acquisition and transfer due to cognitive, social, and organizational proximity. A literature review on individual, team, and organizational learning identified how knowledge is acquired and transferred. Knowledge can be broken down into two main categories, explicit and tacit. Tacit knowledge is difficult to articulate and transmit but can frequently occur through collaboration. Simulation analyses using an agent-based model was utilized to explore collaboration as a mechanism for knowledge transfer. Large cognitive distances showed significant increases in collaboration times and a decrease in overall organizational performance. Agents with no prior experience will acquire more knowledge when placed on mixed skilled teams than similarly skilled teams but at the cost of more senior agents’ ability to complete their work demands. With more data readily available, organizations should be more intentional about talent management regarding the development of new skills to penetrate an organization. S.M. 2022-02-07T15:19:47Z 2022-02-07T15:19:47Z 2021-09 2021-10-21T19:54:49.834Z Thesis https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/140027 In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted Copyright retained by author(s) https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/ application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Hernandez, Matthew John
Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title_full Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title_fullStr Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title_short Investigation of Learning by Proximity Using An Agent-based Model and Simulation
title_sort investigation of learning by proximity using an agent based model and simulation
url https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/140027
work_keys_str_mv AT hernandezmatthewjohn investigationoflearningbyproximityusinganagentbasedmodelandsimulation