Knowledge flows and knowledge management in a public research center: an empirical study
Beatriz Rosa Pinheiro dos Santos, Ieda Pelógia Martins Damian, João Sérgio Beserra de Lima, Yara Gabriela Vernillo, Luciana Romano MorilasPurpose
This research aims to examine how knowledge flows circulate within a public innovation unit, how multidisciplinary teams interact and what these dynamics reveal about knowledge management (KM) maturity.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey-based case study with embedded qualitative responses was conducted at CeMEPI-PGE. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to researchers from different teams. Closed-ended responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while open-ended responses were examined through thematic content analysis.
Findings
Semantic knowledge boundaries emerged as the most salient perceived integration barrier among the dimensions assessed, although collaborative potential remained high.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to a single case and relies primarily on questionnaire data, which restricts statistical generalization. Future research could adopt longitudinal and comparative designs to examine the evolution of KM maturity in emerging public innovation units.
Practical implications
The findings highlight the importance of strengthening knowledge governance through structured repositories, standardized documentation practices and institutionalized knowledge-sharing routines.
Social implications
Strengthening KM in public organizations contributes to improving the quality of public decision-making and the effectiveness of institutional innovation initiatives. By promoting better knowledge integration, organizational learning and preservation of institutional memory, KM practices can support more transparent, efficient and evidence-based public administration. In contexts such as public research and innovation centers, improved knowledge flows may enhance the State’s capacity to design and implement policies, optimize public resources and expand access to justice and public services.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the KM literature by proposing an interpretive lens through which early-stage maturity in newly created organizations may be understood in relation to institutional newness rather than solely as organizational deficiency. It also extends knowledge-boundary theory to multidisciplinary public research and innovation environments.