International cooperation TIAS and Thales Group

What happens when crucial knowledge within international technology companies is at risk of disappearing?
That was the central question during a study trip to Portugal, where three participants of the Executive Master of Management and Organization at TIAS tackled a strategic challenge at Thales Edisoft — part of the global Thales Group and specialized in technology for aerospace, defense, and information technology.

As part of the European Business Systems module of the Executive Master of Management and Organization (MMO), the students were paired with the Portuguese Thales team. The challenge: how do you ensure effective knowledge transfer in an organization where technological complexity, international collaboration, and cultural differences intersect?

From Study to Action Plan

For Djino Spahic, a participant in the program and Client Onboarding Manager at Rabobank, the project was a learning experience with direct impact.
“As an operations manager, your instinct is to jump into solution mode rather than take a step back,” he explains. “That’s exactly why I chose an academic program that combines theory with real-world practice.”

The participants began with an in-depth literature review, followed by interviews and a survey among engineers. The insights gained formed the foundation for a collaborative workshop where participants and Thales employees co-created tangible solutions. The results were summarized in an advisory report that, to their surprise, was immediately shared internally within the international Thales Group — leading to follow-up actions such as cultural awareness sessions for engineers from different countries.

Complex Collaboration, Tangible Impact

Throughout the project, it became clear how relevant the topic is. Many tech companies face the same issue: tacit knowledge disappearing as experienced employees retire. In Thales’ case, international collaboration added another layer of complexity.
“Transferring knowledge is already difficult, and on top of that, there are language and cultural barriers,” Djino explains.

The team succeeded in effectively bridging theory and practice — a result of the TIAS approach in the Executive Master of Management and Organization: first diving into academic knowledge, then exploring real-world practice, and only drawing conclusions afterward.
“Thanks to the thorough preparation in the various modules of the master, we were well equipped to handle it,” says Djino.

From Assignment to Insight

For Djino and his team, the project at Thales was not only an opportunity to make an impact but also a chance for personal growth. Working with fellow students from completely different fields and tackling a challenge outside their own area of expertise proved to be the greatest challenge — and at the same time, the greatest learning experience.

Curious to read the full story?

Read the full interview and discover how theory and practice come together.