Dr Ana Cristina Vasconcelos

BA (Lisboa, Portugal), PGDip (Lisboa, Portugal), PhD (Sheffield Hallam)

Information School

Senior Lecturer in Corporate Information Management

a.c.vasconcelos@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2643

Room C230, The Wave

Full contact details

Dr Ana Cristina Vasconcelos
Information School
Room C230
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH

Profile

I joined the Information School in 2005 and am currently Senior Lecturer in Corporate Information Management, as well as head of the Knowledge and Information Management Research Group. I have previously lectured at Sheffield Hallam University and at Leeds Metropolitan University. Prior to that, I worked as research assistant at the National Research Institute for Industrial Technology and Engineering (INETI), in Portugal.

I hold a first degree in History, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Information Science from the University of Lisboa, Portugal, and a PhD from Sheffield Hallam University on “Defining discourses: the role of discourse in the organizational adaptation of information systems’.

University Responsibilities

Director of Research
Member of the Faculty of Social Sciences Research and Innovation Committee

Research interests

My research interests are centred on the interface between the management of information and knowledge and the implementation and adaptation of information systems. My research has developed a unique integration of process and structural models in knowledge management and has been funded by the European Community and the AHRC.

Specific interests are: organisational learning, knowledge sharing and boundary spanning practices; absorptive capacity and knowledge integration; communities of practice, virtual communities and identity; IS implementation and adaptation. I bring a perspective to these themes influenced by Arenas/Social Worlds Theory, Practice Theory and approaches such as Discourse Analysis and Grounded Theory.

I am interested in supervising PhDs in the following areas:

absorptive capacity, knowledge integration and innovation
adaptive capabilities and business resilience
knowledge sharing and boundary spanning practices
communities of practice, virtual communities and identity
information failure and organisational learning
information systems, particularly knowledge management systems and social enterprise software: implementation, adaptation and use

I am head of the Knowledge and Information Management Research Group.

Publications

Journal articles

Qi J, Mazumdar S & Vasconcelos AC (2024) Understanding the relationship between urban public space and social cohesion: a systematic review. International Journal of Community Well-Being. View this article in WRRO
Li S, Tiago Martins J, Vasconcelos A & Peng G (2023) Knowledge sharing in project work: the dynamic interplay of knowledge domains and skills. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(2), 328-355. View this article in WRRO
Thumbumrung T, Vasconcelos A & Cox A (2022) Complexity and evolution of knowledge boundaries in an interdisciplinary research project. Knowledge and Process Management. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC, Martins JT, Ellis D & Fontainha E (2019) Absorptive capacity: A process and structure approach. Journal of Information Science, 45(1), 68-83. View this article in WRRO
Idrees IA, Vasconcelos AC & Ellis D (2018) Clique and elite: inter-organizational knowledge sharing across five star hotels in the Saudi Arabian religious tourism and hospitality industry. Journal of Knowledge Management, 22(6), 1358-1378. View this article in WRRO
Gherhes CA, Williams N, Vorley T & Vasconcelos AC (2016) Distinguishing micro-businesses from SMEs: a systematic review of growth constraints. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 23(4), 939-963. View this article in WRRO
Schofield AE, Sen BA & Vasconcelos AC (2015) Evaluating the intellectual assets in the Scholarship and Collections directorate at the British Library. Library Management, 36(3), 215-222. View this article in WRRO
Fontainha E, Martins JT & Vasconcelos AC (2015) Network Analysis of a Virtual Community of Learning of Economics Educators. Information Research: an international electronic journal, 20(1).
Thatcher A, Vasconcelos AC & Ellis D (2015) An investigation into the impact of information behaviour on information failure: The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power disaster. International Journal of Information Management, 35(1), 57-63.
Schauer A, Vasconcelos AC & Sen B (2015) The ShaRInK framework: a holistic perspective on key categories of influences shaping individual perceptions of knowledge sharing. Journal of Knowledge Management, 19(4), 770-790. View this article in WRRO
Bullingham L & Vasconcelos AC (2013) 'The presentation of self in the online world': Goffman and the study of online identities. Journal of Information Science, 39(1), 101-112. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC, Sen B, Rosa A & Ellis D (2012) Elaborations of grounded theory in information research: arenas/social worlds theory, discourse and situational analysis. Library and Information Research, 36(112), 120-146. View this article in WRRO
Albright K, Petrulis R, Vasconcelos A & Wood J (2012) An inquiry-based approach to teaching research methods in Information Studies. Education for Information, 29(1), 19-38.
Idrees I, Vasconcelos AC & Cox AM (2011) The use of Grounded Theory in PhD research in knowledge management: A model four-stage research design. Aslib Proceedings: New Information Perspectives, 63(2-3), 188-203. View this article in WRRO
Cox AM, Vasconcelos AC & Holdridge P (2010) Diversifying assessment through multimedia creation in a nontechnical module: Reflections on the MAIK project. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 35(7), 831-846. View this article in WRRO
Bibikas D, Paraskakis I, Psychogios AG & Vasconcelos AC (2010) Emerging enterprise social software knowledge management environments: Current practices and future challenges. International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 7(3-4), 328-343.
Bibikas D, Paraskakis I, Psychogios AG & Vasconcelos AC (2009) An integrated knowledge innovation process management model: The case of Skandia, 156-173.
Bibikas D, Paraskakis I, Psychogios AG & Vasconcelos AC (2009) The potential of enterprise social software in integrating exploitative and explorative knowledge strategies, 285-297.
Vasconcelos AC, Bibikas D, Kourtesis D, Paraskakis I, Bernardi A, Sauermann L, Apostolou D & Mentzas G (2008) Organisational Knowledge Management Systems in the Era of Enterprise 2.0: The case of OrganiK. Scalable Computing: Practice and Experience, 9(4), 315-327.
Bibikas D, Kourtesis D, Paraskakis I, Bernardi A, Sauermann L, Apostolou D, Mentzas G & Vasconcelos AC (2008) A Sociotechnical Approach to Knowledge Management in the Era of Enterprise 2.0: the Case of OrganiK.. Scalable Comput. Pract. Exp., 9. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC (2008) Dilemmas in knowledge management. Library Management, 29(4-5), 422-443. View this article in WRRO
Zhou L, Vasconcelos A & Nunes M (2008) Supporting decision making in risk management through an evidence-based information systems project risk checklist. Information Management and Computer Security, 16(2), 166-186.
Vasconcelos AC (2007) The role of professional discourses in the organisational adaptation of information systems. International Journal of Information Management, 27(4), 279-293. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC (2007) The use of grounded theory and of arenas/social worlds theory in discourse studies: A case study on the discursive adaptation of information systems. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 5(2), 125-136.
Fahey R, Vasconcelos AC & Ellis D (2007) The impact of rewards within communities of practice: A study of the SAP online global community. Knowledge Management Research and Practice, 5(3), 186-198.
Ellis D, Oldridge R & Vasconcelos A (2004) Community and Virtual Community. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology, 38. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC (2003) Management consultancies and technology consultancies in a converging market: a knowledge management perspective. Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 1(1). View this article in WRRO
Ellis D & Vasconcelos A (2000) The relevance of facet analysis for World Wide Web subject organization and searching. Journal of Internet Cataloging, 2(3-4), 96-114.
Ellis D & Vasconcelos A (1999) Ranganathan and the Net: Using facet analysis to search and organise the World Wide Web. Aslib Proceedings, 51(1), 3-10.
Lea W, Uttley P & Vasconcelos AC (1998) Mistakes, misjudgements and mischances: Using SSM to understand the Hillsborough disaster. International Journal of Information Management, 18(5), 345-357.
Qi J, Mazumdar S & Vasconcelos A () Datafication in smart cities: understanding how the public experience urban environments. Proceedings of the 22nd European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies, 22(1), 266-269. View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos AC, sen & schauer () The ShaRInK framework: a holistic perspective on key categories of influences shaping individual perceptions of knowledge sharing. Journal of Knowledge Management, 19(3).

Chapters

Zhu Y, Zamani ED, Martins JT & Vasconcelos AC (2021) ICT-Based Inter-organisational Knowledge Exchange: A Narrative Literature Review Approach, Responsible AI and Analytics for an Ethical and Inclusive Digitized Society (pp. 411-422). Springer International Publishing
Vasconcelos AC & Ellis, D. () Knowledge Management In Bigdoli, H. (Ed.), Handbook of Technology Management, Vol. 1 New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Conference proceedings papers

Qi J, Mazumdar S & Vasconcelos AC (2023) Datafication in Smart Cities: Understanding How the Public Experience Urban Environments. Proceedings of the European Conference on Research Methods in Business and Management Studies, Vol. 2023-September (pp 260-263)
Hafedh H, Vasconcelos A & Jimenez A (2020) Tensions in inter-organisational knowledge transfer from a Quadruple Helix perspective: The FinTech ecosystem in Bahrain. IFKAD2020 Proceedings: Knowledge in Digital Age, 9 September 2020 - 11 September 2020.
Thumburmung T, Vasconcelos AC & Cox A (2016) Integrating Qualitative Data Collection Methods to Examine Knowledge Management Across Disciplinary Boundaries. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES (ECRM2016) (pp 408-411)
Thumbumrung T, Vasconcelos AC & Cox A (2016) Knowledge management across boundaries in an interdisciplinary research project in Thailand. Proceedings of the European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM, Vol. 2016-January (pp 1090-1098)
Fontainha E, Martins JT & Vasconcelos AC (2015) Network analysis of a virtual community of learning of economics educators. INFORMATION RESEARCH-AN INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONIC JOURNAL, Vol. 20(1)
Fontainha E, Martins JT & Vasconcelos AC (2014) Exploring the Determinants of PAS, EDMS, and PACS Adoption in European Hospitals. Procedia Technology, Vol. 16 (pp 1502-1509) View this article in WRRO
Zhou L, Vasconcelos AC & Nunes MB (2010) Identifying knowledge sharing barriers in interprofessional healthcare collaboration of Traditional and Western Medicine in China. Proceedings of the IADIS International Conference Information Systems 2010 (pp 102-110)
Vasconcelos A & Zijlistra T (2010) The role of boundary brokering in the generation of common knowledge. Proceedings of the European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM, Vol. 2 (pp 1034-1041)
Vasconcelos AC, Bibikas D, Paraskakis I & Psychogios A (2009) Enterprise 2.0: the “new knowledge management” or just another buzzword?. OLKC 2009. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 23 April 2009 - 24 April 2009. View this article in WRRO
Bibikas D, Paraskakis I, Vasconcelos A & Psychogios A (2009) Integrating knowledge and innovation through practice-based thinking: Early findings from an SME case study. Proceedings of the European Conference on Knowledge Management, ECKM (pp 83-90)
Vasconcelos A, Bibikas D, Zijlstra T & Paraskakis I (2009) Implementing 'Grounded Action Research' in Information Systems Development: The OrganiK Approach. 8th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies (ECRM) (pp 367-376)
Bibikas D, Kourtesis D, Paraskakis I, Bernardi A, Sauermann L, Apostolou D, Mentzas G & Vasconcelos AC (2008) Organisational Knowledge Management Systems in the Era of Enterprise 2.0: The case of OrganiK.. BIS (Workshops), Vol. 333 (pp 45-53) View this article in WRRO
Vasconcelos A (2007) The use of Grounded Theory and of Arenas/Social Worlds Theory in Discourse Studies. 6th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies (ECRM) (pp 315-324)
Zhou LH, Vasconcelos AC & Nunes MB (2007) A Tool for Risk Mitigation in Public Sector IS/IT projects: An Evidence-based Information Systems Project Risk Checklist. Globalization Challenge and Management Transformation, Vols I - III (pp 580-589)
Vasconcelos AC (1996) Information Systems Development: An Organitional Culture Perspective.. Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) (pp 995-1002)
Clough P, Ellis D, Kenyon D, Vasconcelos A & Wakeling S () Bletchley Park: an untold story in Information Science. Trends in Information Science. Bletchley Park: an untold story in Information Science.

Research group

Current PhD students

Hooria Ali Hafedh: Knowledge transfer from the perspective of a “Quadruple Helix”: The banking sector in Bahrain
Bekim Kasumi: Network management for innovation performance of Research Track 1: Enterprise Innovation and Development
James Toner Understanding organisational learning and knowledge sharing in pursuit of organisational effectiveness: A multi-actor, international school perspective
Naveendra Weerakoon: Service Innovation in Knowledge Intensive Business Services. Approach of Managing Knowledge Across Boundaries

Completed PhD students

Shuyang Li:
Dimitris Bibikas: Towards a holistic model of the third generation of enterprise knowledge management systems.
Alice Schofield: Evaluating the intellectual assets of the scholarship and collections directorate at the British Library.
Titima Thumbumrung: Knowledge sharing across boundaries in interdisciplinary scientific and technological research projects in Thailand.
Cristian-Andrei Gherhes: Economic Resilience, Enterprise Growth and Entrepreneurial Activity.
Ying Wang: Exploring how nascent digital enterprises develop relational capabilities with local businesses in a mutually reinforcing perspective.
Alexander Schauer: A multi-cultural study on knowledge, individual, team, organisational and institutional factors affecting knowledge sharing willingness in the IT services industry.
Inaam Idrees: Clique and Elite: Inter-Organisational Knowledge Sharing across Five Star Hotels in the Saudi Arabian Religious Tourism and Hospitality Industry - a Grounded Theory Study.
Raid M. Al-Adaileh: Management styles and managers attitudes towards IT: a developing country case study.

Grants

Research Projects

OrganiK

European Commission

Principal Investigator

£115,296

17 November 2008

24 months

MAIK

Higher Education Academy

Investigator

£2,858

2 January 2008

5 months

An Inquiry-Based Model for Research Methods Training

Centre for Inquiry Based Learning in the Arts and Social Sciences

Investigator

£9,395

1 September 2007

17 months

The project aimed to develop and evaluate an inquiry-based model for research methods training of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

A Model for Research Methods Training for New Research Students in Libraries and Information Studies

Arts and Humanities Research Council

Investigator

£9,801

1 January 2007

The project aimed to develop a framework for research training and a series of joint seminars for Library and Information Science doctoral students.

Teaching interests

My teaching activity falls into two main areas: i) information and knowledge management and ii) qualitative research methods, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In Information and knowledge management, I cover a variety of subjects, including organizational culture and organizational learning, communities of practice and boundary spanning practices, absorptive capacity, core competences and intellectual capital valuation.

In research methods, my teaching is focused primarily on qualitative approaches, including Grounded Theory, discourse analysis and situational analysis. Most of my sessions are grounded in practical case studies and examples of known organizations, such as NASA, Xerox, Skandia and a variety of consultancies. I enjoy bringing a variety of approaches, media and resources to my sessions, which are predominantly interactive.

Teaching activities

INF6041 - ICTs, Innovation and Change

INF6511 - Information and Knowledge Management DL

Professional activities and memberships

Editorial board membership

Member of the Editorial Board of Libri (2016 to present)
Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Knowledge-Based Organizations (2009 - 2013)

Committee and advisory group membership

Member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Peer Review College, 2009 to 2013
Evaluator for the NHS National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation Programme (NIHR SDO), 2009
Expert member of evaluation panels for European Commission Framework Programme Research funding panels, acting in various roles as evaluator, reviewer and panel rapporteur, since 1992

Journal and conference reviewing

Reviewer for Library Review, International Journal of Information Management, Journal of Knowledge Management, Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Current Sociology, Management Decision,European Management Reviews, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Member of the Programme Committee and reviewer for the IFIP 8.2 (International Federation for Information Processing/ Information Systems in Organisations Working Group), 2016.
Member of the International Committee for I3 – Information: Interactions and Impact, Aberdeen Business School, June 2015.
Co-organiser and member of the Planning Committee for ISIC - Information Seeking in Context 2014, which was co-hosted by the University of Sheffield, together with Leeds University Business School and Aberystwyth University. I was Reviews Coordinator for this Conference.
Member of the Programme Committee and reviewer for the European Conference in Research Methods for Business (2008 to present).
Member of the Programme Committee and reviewer for the European Conference in Research Methods for Business (2019 - ).
Member of the International Planning Committee and reviewer of the European Conference in Information Systems (2008, 2002 to 2003).
Member of the Programme Committee for the HCI Conference (2004 and 2005).

Invited presentations

Vasconcelos, A.C. (2008)- Dilemmas in knowledge management. Keynote address to the 13th Annual Conference of the Special Libraries Association – Arabian Gulf Chapter, Manama, Bahrain, 3-5 April 2007
Vasconcelos, A.C. (2011) – Integrating knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation strategies : the contribution of social enterprise software. Keynote address to the 17th Annual Conference of the Special Libraries Association – Arabian Gulf Chapter, Manama, Bahrain, 8-9 March 2011

Other roles

External Examiner at Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University , Information Management modules (2017- )
External Examiner at Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Data Management (2016-)
External Examiner at Sheffield Hallam University, MRes in Enterprise Systems, Transformation and Innovation at Sheffield Hallam University (2017-2019)
External examiner at Northumbria University, School of Computing, Engineering and Information Sciences, Module Examination Board, Information Science subject area, Undergraduate Programmes, Business Information Systems (2009-2012).