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Purpose This paper aims to look at how organisational partnerships balance knowledge exploration and exploitation in contexts that are rife with paradoxes. It draws on paradox theory to examine the partnership’s response to the explore-exploit relationship. Design/methodology/approach A multiple interpretive case study was used to examine international partnerships in three African countries. These partnerships were between international (Northern-based) non-governmental organisations and local African non-governmental organisations. Findings The research finds that within the partnership, knowledge exploration and exploitation exist as a duality rather than a dualism. This is supported by the acceptance and confrontation of paradoxes of performing and belonging. However, macro-level paradoxes of organising linked to power, culture and epistemologies inhibit further effective confrontation of the explore-exploit paradox. Practical implications The findings can help managers working in international development organisations to understand how learning is enabled and constrained in partnership-based programmes. Originality/value The study provides a novel contribution to knowledge management by applying the paradox perspective to the explore-exploit relationship. This paper extends previous work by drawing on the levels and repertoires present in the paradox perspective to understand how knowledge exploration and exploitation can be mutually reinforcing and can exist as a duality.

Knowledge management strategies are important for firms' competitive positioning. This paper examines how knowledge management codification and personalization strategies are developed in response to environmental and organizational dynamics in an international non-governmental organisation. A longitudinal case study of the organisation's strategic reformulation of its KM strategy over a 2.5 period is drawn upon. The research examines how pressures in the firm's operating environment led to the organisation identifying the need to leverage the value of local contextual knowledge. Subsequent reformulation required the organisation to change its strategic mix of codification and personalization over time. Although efforts were focused on increasing personalization, developments were supported through codification demonstrating the a symbiotic, mutually supporting relationship between the strategies. The strategic reformulation involved processes of reflection, repackaging and support activities.

The use of collapsible (solder) bump interconnects in pixel detector hybridization has been shown to be very successful. However, as pixel sizes decrease, the use of non-collapsible metal-to-metal bump bonding methods is needed to push the interconnect dimensions smaller. Furthermore, these interconnects are compatible with 3D intgration technologies which are being considered to increase overall pixel and system performance. These metal-to-metal bonding structures provide robust mechanical and electrical connections and allow for a dramatic increase in pixel density. Of particular interest are Cu-Cu thermocompression bonding and Cu/Sn-Cu solid-liquid diffusion bonding processes. Working with Fermilab, RTI undertook a demonstration to show that these bump structures could be reliably used to interconnect devices designed with 20 micron I/O pitch. Cu and Cu/Sn bump fabrication processes were developed to provide a well-controlled surface topography necessary for the formation of low resistance, high yielding, and reliable interconnects. The electrical resistance and yield has been quantified based on electrical measurements of daisy chain test structures and the mechanical strength of the bonding has been quantified through die shear testing. The reliability has been characterized through studies of the impact of thermal exposure on the mechanical performance of the bonds. Cross-section SEM analysis, coupled with high resolution energy dispersive spectroscopy, has provided insight into the physical and chemical nature of the bonding interfaces and aided in the evaluation of the long-term stability of the bonds.

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