**3.4 Methods of data collection**

There are two sources of data collection in this research, with primary data as the main source and secondary data as the supplement. Primary data include in-depth interviews with the internal personnel of the case companies and serve as the basis for deriving results. The interviewees chosen work in roles more relevant to the "execution" phase of the clinical trial: clinical research associate (CRA) and project manager (PM). In addition, the interviews were recorded to increase the accuracy of the records and subsequent data collation. Most of the interview questions were open-ended to avoid restricting the respondents' answers.

Secondary data was collected to help researchers understand the background, current status, development history, and related operational overview of the case companies. The main sources include official website information, annual reports, public brochures, and public announcements. In addition, industry analysis reports of market research companies and the public sector are also used as reference materials.

### **4. Research cases**

### **4.1 IQVIA**

IQVIA is a CRO founded in 1982 and headquartered in North Carolina, USA. It was originally named Quintiles. In 2016, it merged with IMS Health to form the Quintiles IMS. In 2017, it was renamed IQVIA. It mainly provides biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services, including phase I to IV clinical trials, related laboratories, analysis, and consultation. IQVIA is currently one of the top three companies in the global clinical trial service industry. Its global service base exceeds 100 countries, with nearly 70,000 employees. IQVIA provides professional services for many medical fields, including tumor treatment, central nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, urinary system diseases, endocrine diseases, respiratory diseases, and various infectious diseases. So far, IQVIA has helped complete the R&D or commercialization of many best-selling drugs and biologics around the world. It has also helped customers reduce R&D costs and the timetable for R&D, contributing to improving the health of people.

### **4.2 PRA health sciences**

PRA Health Sciences originated from the University of Virginia in Charlotteville, USA in 1976, and established a CRO to assist in data management in 1982. Until 1991,

*Investigating Knowledge Management Activities and Influential Factors of Contract Research… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.101881*

it extended services to clinical trial management, drug safety, etc. Today, it has more than 15,000 employees, more than 75 offices around the world, and provides services in more than 90 countries. As one of the world's leading CROs, PRA continues to cooperate with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and, like IQVIA, improves the R&D process, conducts drug development, and assists in clinical trials through mergers and acquisitions. At present, PRA provides services for multiple medical fields, including tumors, central nervous system diseases, inflammation, and infectious diseases. Its comprehensive service items include data management, statistical analysis, clinical trial management, supervision, and drug development consulting.

### **4.3 Formosa biomedical technology corporation**

The Formosa Biomedical Technology Corporation (FBTC) was established in 2003. Its purpose is to combine the three major resources of the company in manufacturing, research in universities, and clinical trials. Through cross-field and cross-departmental cooperation, it jointly develops and produces high-quality and high-tech products that are beneficial to human health. In 2006, a clinical trial division was established. With the assistance of medical resources of the Chang Gung Memorial Medical System and the academic resources of Chang Gung University, it received medical materials and commissioned research services from domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies. It is focusing on contracting at various stages of clinical trial cases and actively looking for partners worldwide. Through clinical experience in progress or completed assistance, it attracts more multinational clinical trials to Taiwan, promotes its business in Europe and the United States, and deploys globally. Currently, Formosa Biomedical Technology Corporation provides the following professional services: (1) clinical research monitoring; (2) test organization management; (3) regulatory services; (4) trial design; (5) data processing; (6) statistical analysis; and (7) trial report writing.

### **4.4 A2 Healthcare Corporation in Taiwan**

A2 Healthcare Corporation (A2HC) in Taiwan was established in 2012. It performs clinical research services under the Japanese ITOCHU Group and is positioned as a CRO that provides comprehensive clinical research services for customers in Taiwan and overseas. So far, it has executed and accumulated services for 45 clients and more than 60 clinical trial cases worldwide. The service scope ranges from strategic planning, trial planning and execution, data collection and analysis, and research report writing to a closed GCP audit. The detailed items are as follows: (1) clinical research execution; (2) data processing and statistics; (3) medical writing; and (4) overseas clinical trial services.

### **5. Research propositions and discussions**

According to the case study results, several research propositions are raised, illustrated with a case brief, and discussed as follows:

### **Proposition 1:**

**When CROs implement knowledge management, they tend to integrate the knowledge management concept into the standard of procedures (SOP) and educational training programs.**
