Small Group Problem-Solving and Knowledge Creation: A Fuzzy Cognitive Maps Investigation

A methodological framework based on the implementation of the Fuzzy Cognitive Map method was developed to investigate the organization cognitive practices and social behaviors in the technical problem-solving activity. The framework was implemented in a real case to elicit expert knowledge and generate a cognitive map useful to describe the technical problemsolving activity occurred within a group of engineers and technical managers involved in the development of a new product in the food machinery industry, and finally identify the critical cognitive practices and social behaviors that mostly influence the generation of new knowledge during the innovation process.