Article Details
  • Published Online:
    April  2025
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Knowledge Management
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJKM010425
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJKM/2025.23.2.5-26
  • Author Name:
    Chandan Chandra Sheel and Seyyed Ahmed Edalatpanah
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Management
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    5-26
Volume 23, Issue 2, April 2025
Enhancing Knowledge and Technology as Strategic Resources for Organizational Sustainability: The Case of Wärtsilä
Abstract

Wärtsilä, a Finland-based company, that deals with marine and energy solutions is used as a reference organization in this analysis of the role of knowledge and technology management in operations strategy to sustain its competitive edge. The study incorporates both quantitative and qualitative methods for evaluation of performance using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and statistical tools, respectively, besides evaluation of performance using quality, cost, delivery, and flexibility parameters. It considers Wärtsilä’s best practices with regard to cross-functional knowledge sharing and transfer system, employee training and skills initiative, and synergy between product and process development, and organizational sustainability strategy. The results show that strategic management of innovation, technological development, and cross-functional integration are well-suited for enabling Wärtsilä to gain a competitive edge. By integrating sustainability into its multiple objectives, the company adapts to changing industry trends and environmental concerns. To this effect, the study adds to the literature on how organizations in high-tech sectors can utilize knowledge and technology as strategic resources for sustainable innovation.

Introduction

Given that the world today is characterized by technological and globalization visions, knowledge and technology management is a key success factor in today’s organization. The future environments in firms in technology-intensive industries require overall operations strategies that reflect innovation and sustainability (Alavi & Leidner, 2001; Nonaka & Takeuchi, 1995). These dynamics are most specifically visible in the case of Wärtsilä, a Finnish