Simulation of knowledge transformation in purchasing process

This paper presents an approach for modelling the transformation of knowledge in the procurement process and the findings obtained from simulating that process. The knowledge transformation is from tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge for the purchasing process of a chemical company. The simulation model considers the information flow from the identification of the need for a purchase to the placing of an order with a supplier. The model utilizes results from the authors' previous work that identifies the factors which influence knowledge transformation.