Knowledge Workers Seek Dynamic - Assignment Example

Introduction Information technology (IT) has executed a vital role in the business environment. It has led to the presentation of enhanced, fast and efficient ways to pass information between departments (Carr, 2013). Advancements in technology contribute to improved competition strategies in the business environment. IT involved the adoption of advanced telecommunications and computers in the transmission, storage and evaluation of data. Dq7.1 What are the pros and cons of using information technology-enabled collaboration to package and present decision-making information? Storage Information technology provided for advanced avenues of data storage before it can be transmitted. Improved computers can store large amounts of vital information as it is been produced during meetings and decision-making processes. Additionally, technological advancements such as cloud computing can hold an organization's data without the need to format discs to include more information (Carr, 2013). Transmission and safety The data can be transmitted to all departments at the same time; hence, saving time that amounts to profits in an organization. Data stored in the ‘clouds’ can be packaged in various encryptions and later conveyed to other regions that require it for decision making. Encryptions guarantee safety of the information in case it is accessed by unwanted persons (Davenport, 2013). Transmission is fast and specific leading to the reduction of errors. Demerits of I.T The computers and telecommunications facilitating storage and access of information may be prone to hackers who may compromise sensitive information. Breakdowns in the systems may lead to the delay of vital company data that may cost it much time and resources to recover (Reportlinker 2014). Reason for the answer and example Organizations are driven by profit maximization. Collaboration of technology with decision-making procedures will save the business extra time and resources that would have been incurred during manual operations. There are also trends where businesses have expanded to various geographical locations and required constant monitoring. For example, the management of a certain firm may be holding a bold meeting that requires transmission of information to low-ranked employees. Video conferencing may be facilitated by technological changes that will ensure meetings taking place in real time despite the locations. Managers from various branches can exchange information during the meeting that will help in the success of the whole organization. When the senior staff is through with meetings, the information agreed upon has to be relayed to the junior staff. It has to be done fast due to the need for fast decisions especially in the service industry such as hospitals. Secured transmissions of data are aided by the technology levels adopted by the business. Conference calls can also be made between departments with the help of advanced telecommunication devices ensuring the making of prompt and rational decisions among the workers. Dq7.2 Knowledge workers often use dashboards to present information Knowledge workers are those that depend on various aspects of the issued departments (Maliszewska, 2013). These employees use knowledge and comprehension of activities to monitor trends of the business’ performance. They have to focus on specific features of the organization; hence, recommend dashboards to provide information. Dashboards are unique connectors that provide data on key performance indexes in the business (Ayyar 2014). These catalogues include marketing, sales, human resources and production metrics. Businesses have core operational points that have to run simultaneously to ensure perfect results. In most cases, knowledge workers have comprehensions on the key indexes; hence, form a dashboard with these factors. The workers examine these dashboards and use the outcomes to generalize the overall results. Analysis of the data is presented in graphs, tables and other statistical features that simplify all operations of the firm (Ayyar 2014). Workers can easily tell the current status of the organization based on their knowledge capacities. What are three or four additional presentation tools used in dashboards? Perspectives – they target high-level strategic areas that have direct influences in the firm's key operations (Ayyar 2014). These levels include corporate structures and individual performances. Objectives – they are derived from the firm’s business proposal and information from staff meetings. Strategic plans from the management are also used to present goals of the business. The dashboard uses business objectives to monitor the success of their attainment. Measure/metrics – they are the key external inputs and outputs of the organization. Internal metrics includes the number of staff, their roles and performances (Ayyar 2014). Additionally, customer numbers are monitored to ensure market and sales metrics. Spotlight indicators – they are tools used to reveal the success of the key indexes used in making the dashboards. Knowledge worker may use colors to indicate specific metrics that in most cases are provided by the measurement features in business. They act as communication avenues between the companies through the dashboards to the knowledge workers. Describe each presentation tool and the audiences they are intended to serve. Please have some example. Perspectives tend to serve the higher management staff or the corporate body because they deal with key business strategies. For example, they can be used to gauge the manger’s skills through the decisions made and their impacts to the business. Examination of individual performances contributes to this presentation through scores. Goals and objectives present the firm's external values due to competition. Lack of competent goals may lead to failure of the organization; hence, the dashboard should be used to examine the progress of their realization closely. For example, a knowledge worker may judge the success of a firm by its progress in acquiring the set goals and objectives. The presentation targets the workers who play a vital role in the realization of company goals. Metrics figures are presented to shareholders and company executives. Inputs include supplies that are used in service provision. For example, decreasing input measurements show that there is less demand; hence, a problem in the production process. Low sales and fewer market shares portray setbacks in the company's sales and marketing departments. Spotlight indicators are used to present company’s current levels to the head of departments through color codes. For example, green may show the company’s operations are normal while red may represent difficulties. Dq7.3 How do you optimize knowledge returns and what are the optimal investments for increased knowledge capital in the organization? Knowledge capitalization is vital to a business’ success due to advanced sources of information (Maliszewska, 2013). It may be optimized by hiring competent professional with knowledge on company operations. Most knowledge workers are professional who are always ready to learn in the newly exposed environments. Such hiring strategies will ensure workers have more theoretical knowledge as compared to normal workers. Workers should be from competent and recognized institutions that guarantee professionalism. Knowledge workers should also be hired because they value investment of information that is common important in training others. Training of workers also optimizes knowledge capitalization in the firms. The workers should be observed, and their performance closely monitored to highlight areas that need training (Eccentex Corporation 2014). The training sessions should be offered by experts to ensure accumulation of vital information that can be later used to carry out indoor trainings. Coaching too helps the workers acquire competent skills. Reason and example Optimal knowledge investments in the company will increase the competition strategies. For example, a firm with high numbers of knowledge workers will ensure that all departments have been monitored to perfection. They will pass the information to the junior staff through interpersonal and group cultures in the workplace. The interaction will cause accumulation of knowledge on all the workers increasing competitiveness of the company. It will also facilitate indoor training for the employees. Long-term effects of knowledge accumulation include saving resources by 'literally 'having solutions to all problems (Eccentex Corporation 2014). For example, a firm with high knowledge investments will save costs on hiring knowledge workers to oversee the running of operations. It will also in the future reduce coaching and training costs that are constantly required to keep the organization updated with the current business trends. Knowledge returns depend on the rate of transfer and acquisition. When workers acquire knowledge, they may also become threats to the company; hence, should also be monitored to minimize cases of betrayal. Conclusion Technologies have provided businesses with various resources that range from knowledge, dashboards to monitor activities and efficiency. However, without proper handling it may cost the business profits. Experts should cater for knowledge and technology to ensure perfect results. References Eccentex Corporation. (2014, September 16). Knowledge Workers Seek Dynamic, Mobile Technology. Yahoo Finance. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/knowledge-workers-seek-dynamic-mobile-130000127.html Ayyar, R. (2014, September 19). 5 Dashboards for the Data Every Business Needs to Track. Entrepreneur. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237584 Carr, N. G. (2013). Does IT matter?: information technology and the corrosion of competitive advantage. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business Press. Davenport, T. (2013). Process Innovation: Reengineering Work Through Information Technology. Cambridge: Harvard Business Press. Maliszewska, J. (2013). Managing knowledge workers value assessment, methods, and application tools. Berlin: Springer. Reportlinker. (2014, October 7). The Impact of IT Technologies on IT Decision Makers in the United States and Europe. Virtual-Strategy Magazine. 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