Measuring conceptual knowledge among NPP maintenance personnel -A tool for knowledge management

The paper presents key findings of a longitudinal study on development of knowledge among new maintenance workers at a Nordic nuclear power plant. A measure of conceptual knowledge was developed in cooperation with the technical experts and trainers at the case plant. The power plant recruited ten maintenance workers during a two years period. The conceptual knowledge of the ten new workers was measured three times during their first two years of tenure. Also reference group of experienced maintenance workers completed the conceptual knowledge questionnaire. In the paper the construction of the measure is presented and the results of the measurements are discussed in light of knowledge management at the nuclear industry. The results show that the conceptual knowledge of the newcomers increased after training, but difference in the scores between the individuals was very high both before and after the training.