Knowledge creation and knowledge flow within Ghana's Kente industry : a social capital perspective
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Systematic knowledge flow and knowledge sharing practices have existed in African societies for ages.In the old days and even now to some extent, knowledge sharing among individuals was done orally through and face-to-face interactions or personal contacts.In many ways, 'it is social networks that capture local knowledge and circulate it within the communities' (Moyi 2003, p.233).In this study, I sought to understand how traditional and new knowledge about Kente (a popular handwoven textile in Ghana) flows, and how this knowledge flow results in the creation of new knowledge.Kente weaving can be said to be a knowledge-intensive art involving different categories of people performing different functions.All these people have expert knowledge and play specialised roles in Kente weaving.An understanding of knowledge flow among people in contemporary information society is important in understanding knowledge creation in general and also in understanding the function of traditional social networks in our digital society.This study also sought to understand the impact of Chinese-origin Kente on Kente-related knowledge.I employed the social capital theory as the theoretical framework for this research and used social constructionism as the research paradigm.I used a multiple case study as my research design, wherein each case consists of a set of participants who have expert knowledge about Kente from a specific perspective, and play different roles in the Kente-weaving value chain.Across three embedded case studies, I studied knowledge flow among Kente weavers, sellers, fashion designers, consumers, tailors, and also Ghanaians in the expatriate Ghanaian community in Australia.Semi-structured interviews with all entities in the Kente-weaving chain from weavers to consumers were used to gather data.I also used data from the Kente Master Website and a Facebook page.CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION In this chapter, I have provided an introduction, which narrates the origin of Kente, and some of the meanings contained in Kente and the philosophy behind Kente.I have also provided a background to this study, which captures how Kente has been used in the lives of Ghanaians and Africans in the diaspora.I have situated traditional Kente weaving and the community knowledge about Kente within the context of knowledge systems and knowledge sharing in contemporary literature.This chapter also contains the problem statement, the objectives and research questions of this study, and a summary of the research design used.Additionally, I have presented the significance of the study and its contribution to the literature, as well as the delimitations. BackgroundFirst, let me introduce you to a song that every Ghanaian child learns in school.It is called the Bonwire Kente Song, Akyinkyinakyinkyin ama mahu nneɛma, and is written by Dr.
Author: Henry Boateng
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2913905873