Knowledge Mapping - Research Paper Example

Running head: KNOWLEDGE MAPPING Knowledge Mapping Insert Insert Grade Insert 16 June Knowledge Mapping Introduction Knowledge mapping refers to a process of surveying, assessing, and linking the information, knowledge, competencies, and the proficiencies held by variety of individuals and groups within different organizations. The process is progressive within an organization to help discover the location, ownership, value and the use of knowledge artifacts learn the different roles and expertise, identification of various constraints facing the knowledge flow, and the overall highlighting opportunities that will result in the leverage of the existing knowledge.

Such mapping enables the organization to identify and categorize the overall knowledge assets, people, processes, content, and technology that exist within the company and constructing a roadmap to locate the information needed to make the best use of the resources independent of the source or form (Anon, p.13). Knowledge mapping at my work place Human and non-human knowledge sources Manager is the overall person in charge of all the activities within the organization.

The customers from different parts provide their needs which in coordination with the manager to gain quality services from the company. The workers provide required services to both the manager and to the existing customers. Non-human knowledge sources within the company include the computer systems that are used to provide the required services, process information concerning particular tasks within the company and disseminating information. Also used for various research processes.

Description of knowledge repositories The manager is a person who possesses tacit knowledge and experience on the overall running of activities within the company, formulates knowledge, control procedures, and disseminates to the workers and the customers. Customers of the company provide knowledge information about the type of product i.e. the specificity of the products and services that they wish to get from the workers of the company. Workers have the experience and tacit knowledge of performing specific tasks and services to be provided to their customers in guaranteeing customer satisfaction and increasing the overall profitability within the company.

The workers share ideas on ways of improving productivity, and the general coordination of daily activities and procedures carried out within the company. Computer systems and the internet provide explicit and detailed information in terms of research carried out by the workers on certain issues, and increase the productivity of the company in terms of processing, storing, and disseminating information. Knowledge creation and communication Customers provide a variety of details pertaining to the type of services they require to be served with, this includes specifications describing the type of goods, the price range, and the quantity required, and the mode of delivery of the goods and services.

This knowledge is accessed, processed, and shared among both the manager and the workers to ensure that the customer’s needs are served. Workers within the organization share ideas, experience, and information from the various customers, and the managers, and this enables provision of quality services guaranteeing return on capital invested by the company. Knowledge of the workers is usually based on experience, and is tacit in nature. The workers communicate the required knowledge of the customers to the managers in order to increase the quality of the services provided by the company.

The computers together with the internet provide voluminous information, and at the same time enabling the efficient flow of information via network connections, for comparison, decision making by the managers, and overall productivity of the company in terms of paperwork processing. Conclusion Knowledge mapping is a surveying, and ongoing quest within any give organization that helps to discover location, ownership, value, and the use of existing knowledge by learning people’s roles, highlighting opportunities, and identifying both the existing and future constraints that affect the flow of knowledge.

Works Cited Anon. Knowledge mapping 101. 2003. 16 June2011. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADK308.pdf.