Refractive Thinker: Vol II: Effective Research Method and Design for Doctoral Scholars: Ch10

Additional Book Details

Chapter 10: Moving Through the Great Recession (2007-2009): Personal Knowledge Management for Employment Opportunity by Dr. Susie Schild

Individual approaches and experiences with personal knowledge management are not well documented in empirical studies, which led to the Schild (2013) research study. The Schild (2013) study explored the lived experiences of knowledge workers from the popular professional networking community LinkedIn. A semi-structured interview served as the data collection instrument for 21 knowledge workers. Data analysis occurred using a modified van Kaam Method by Moustakas (1994). Participant representation occurred across four generations as defined in the Schild (2013) study. Participants described work environments in multiple industries, varying job titles, and areas of residency across the United States.

Study results included information that participants communicated as important to gain a commoditizing difference in the workplace. Generational differences did not emerge as a factor for engagement in personal knowledge management activities, which supported current academic generational research. The knowledge gained through the Schild (2013) study allows leaders to consider factors that drive personal knowledge management to improve organizational opportunities, support personal knowledge management activities, assist knowledge workers to attain leadership qualities, and understand knowledge worker commoditizing differences.

Thinking out of the box to complete the Schild (2013) study resulted in constructing a meaningful way to present data to tell a story of personal knowledge management experiences. Refractive thinking was responsible for obtaining Institutional Research Board approval. Finally, out of the box thinking provided new research opportunities considering the global economic effects on personal knowledge management experiences.

The Refractive Thinker series provides doctoral scholars with a collaborative opportunity to promote and publish their work in a peer reviewed publication, which meets the university standard. Our goal is to provide an affordable outlet for scholars that supports the tremendous need for dynamic dialogue and innovation while providing an additional clout and recognition for each contributing author. Unlike most academic books that merely define research, The Refractive Thinker offers unique application of research methodologies from the perspective of multiple authors each offering a chapter based on their specific expertise.