Knowledge structure affect members´ technology adoption: A study of semiconductor manufacturing process

Structure of knowledge exists in people´s brains and affects their actions and learning modes. According to previous studies, humans can embed knowledge into carriers and transfer it to others. Human beings are able to not only acquire knowledge from carriers but also to rebuild it in their minds. Therefore, we analyze structure of knowledge of humans through knowledge carriers, in terms of object, practice, cognition, and interaction. The aim of this study is to provide a perspective of management and psychology and understand how knowledge structure affects technology adoption among engineers in a wafer manufacturing plant. We conducted field studies and observed our subjects´ approaches in dealing with problems that they faced at work. In addition, these same subjects were interviewed to understand their thoughts, feelings and comments on solving problems. Using data from our qualitative field study, we chose a case from our database and present it to illustrate how a novice becomes an expert. We endeavor to comprehensively describe the entire situation in which the subject developed into a mature engineer and then analyze what kinds of carriers the novice used, as well as what kinds of behavior the novice changed. After analyzing the data collected from the field study, we form three conclusions: (1) structure of knowledge grows mobility upward in dynamic conditions. (2) The growth of structure of knowledge affects one´s approach to using technology. (3) The growth of structure of knowledge accelerates the speed of solving problems.