Reasons for Knowledge Management - Coursework Example

Knowledge Management Name Institution Introduction Knowledge management involves processes through which businesses acquire and create, store, transfer, share and apply knowledge to empower personnel through improvement of their performance and learning (Wallace, 2007). According to Christensen (2008), knowledge management helps in enhancing an organization’s competitive advantage. An organization is a place where information for decision-making is transferred across all the levels of management. The emphasis of knowledge management in an organization is very important since it enhances the process of information transfer and exchange of ideas across the organization (Warier, 2006). Reasons for Knowledge Management Knowledge management is a continuous process Knowledge management is a process that takes place in an organization on daily basis. An organization is a place where information for decision-making is transferred across all the levels of management (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007). The emphasis of knowledge management in an organization is very important since it enhances the process of information transfer and exchange of ideas across the organization. This makes it possible for an organization to make an informed decision regarding its issues (Christensen, 2008). Twenty first century has been described as a century of knowledge especially with changes that has been witnessed in the corporate world. Organizations need to have an effective knowledge management system in order to be able to manage change and be innovative (Wallace, 2007). Innovation enables an organization to create its competitive advantage. An organization’s knowledge management system should be renewed continually to enable it compete in the corporate world (Warier, 2006). Knowledge management involve business processes Various authors have emphasized knowledge management since it is a discipline involved in various business processes (Christensen, 2008, Warier, 2006, Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). Knowledge management does not only involve management of knowledge as a resource but also using the resource to manage the business processes (Wallace, 2007). It entails assessment of the available knowledge and incorporating it in the business processes in an organization. Knowledge is conveyed via Language Emphasis has been given to knowledge management since it is process that travels via a language. Organization needs to speak in same language in order to be able to apply any new idea (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). To be able to describe any experience in an organization, a common language should be developed in order to appropriately convey it (Wallace, 2007). According to Christensen (2008), the systems through which the idea is conveyed should be accessible to all members of the organization, for example on an organization website through the staff log in. Knowledge management is for everybody in an organization More emphasis has been given to knowledge management since it is a process that applies to all members in an organization (Wallace, 2007). Organizations need to have an effective knowledge management system in order to involve all employees in knowledge management process (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). This will enable the organization to incorporate all the relevant ideas and changes in its policies. Innovation enables an organization to create its competitive advantage (Warier, 2006). An organization’s knowledge management system should be renewed continually and involve employees to enable it compete in the corporate world. Important asset of an organization Knowledge management is an important asset in an organization. It is a process that involves human resources in the process of coming up with new ideas and implementing changes (Christensen, 2008). According to Gamble, &, Blackwell (2007), knowledge management is an integral aspect in an organization since it helps in raising skill levels of employees in an organization so they can effectively perform internal tasks or processes. Business Processes and Outcomes Knowledge management involves four processes namely: I. Knowledge acquisition II. Knowledge storage III. Knowledge dissemination IV. Knowledge application Knowledge Acquisition Knowledge acquisition is the first step in knowledge management process. This process entails product, market research, services, strategic partnership, research, and development (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). During knowledge acquisition, documentation of explicit and tacit knowledge takes place. During knowledge acquisition the organization also extracts its data from the external sources and TPS, for instances from the magazines, websites or through surveys (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). An organization is able to identify its knowledge gap by assessing various materials, and then through this be able to develop an idea based on the knowledge (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007). Knowledge Storage After creating a viable knowledge, an organization needs to store its information safely. An organization can use data management system or databases to store the knowledge already created (Christensen, 2008). Some of the storage systems need to be developed by an organization through its employees (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007). The management should therefore help in the process of storage system development by offering support and encouraging the development team (Warier, 2006). The management should also offer rewards to those involved in the process of system development or update. Knowledge Dissemination Knowledge dissemination involves effectively using the knowledge created. Knowledge dissemination involves connection of knowledge users and researchers in order for them to get a clear view of the new idea or change (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). Knowledge dissemination also entails exchanging of ideas across the organization through emails, instant messaging and organization portals, so all members can understand all the details of the proposed knowledge (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007). At this stage there is a direct contact with knowledge users for instance through face-to-face meetings, in order to convey the idea or change more effectively. Knowledge Application Knowledge application is an organization’s ability to use the acquired knowledge (Christensen, 2008). Knowledge application involves the ability to incorporate the knowledge created into the organization’s business process (Christensen, 2008). The knowledge should be reflected in the processes of idea development, where, when and how the idea will be applied to meet the needs of the market. Importance of Knowledge Management Builds a Learning Organization A learning organization is a type of organization that is able to gain experience through gain experience and adjust its behavior to incorporate the experience (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007).. A learning organization can also be said to be a process through which an organization learns. An organization knowledge management system helps in building a learning organization since it creates a learning routine (Wallace, 2007). Creation of a learning routine in organization helps in creating a culture that enables employees to assess themselves continuously, their organization and the organization units and look for the areas that need improvements (Awad, &, Ghaziri, 2007). With knowledge management systems, after performing organization tasks, employees are able to assess their performances based on the success and failures and be able, to find ways to perform better in future tasks (Christensen, 2008). The whole process of learning from the experience helps in building knowledge among organization employees that can help improve performance and ease operations, thus a learning organization (Warier, 2006). Enhances Innovation and Cultural Change Managing of the knowledge management systems effectively helps stimulate innovation and cultural change s in an organization especially when organization encourages free flow of ideas (Wallace, 2007). Business unit leadership and management development are some of the programs that help managers to assess and convey latest knowledge, stimulate cultural change and instill organization values among various people in the organization (Warier, 2006). Enhances/Facilitates Decision Making Capabilities Knowledge management systems help various stakeholders in an organization to share information and be able to improve the process of decision-making (Christensen, 2008). Wallace (2007) postulated that knowledge management systems enable the relevant decision makers to come up with informed decisions regarding various organizational tasks. Empowerment of Human Resources Organization survival depends on skills, abilities, knowledge, expertise and awareness of the managers and human resources (Warier, 2006). Empowering human resources is a very important aspect in the management of an organization (Christensen, 2008). Currently knowledge management is an integral part in organization and human development especially where intangible assets and intellectual capital are traded (Wallace, 2007). Knowledge management is a process that entails sharing of information among employees in an organization (Warier, 2006). Sharing of information in an organization helps in enhancing organization productivity. Knowledge management is a continuous process that involves incorporating new idea or change in management policies (Christensen, 2008). Application of these changes cannot take place without management and empowerment of human resources in an organization. Knowledge management is therefore a process that enhances empowerment of organization’s human resources (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007). Improving an Organizations Information Systems Knowledge management involves transfer and exchange of new ideas, changes or challenges in an organization (Wallace, 2007). Through the process of conveying new ideas and changes, members of organization are able to communicate with each other through various channels (Gamble, &, Blackwell, 2007).. The communication process helps an organization to improve its information systems since it facilitates development of communication channels. References Awad, E. M., & Ghaziri, H. M. (2007). Knowledge management. Delhi: Dorling Kindersley, licensees of Pearson Education in South Asia Gamble, P. R., & Blackwell, J. (2007). Knowledge management: A state of the art guide : models & tools, strategy, intellectual capital, planning, learning, culture [and] processes. London: Kogan Page Christensen, P. H. (2008). Knowledge management: Perspectives and pitfalls. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School Press. Warier, S. (2006). Knowledge management. New Delhi: Vikas Pub. House Wallace, D. P. (2007). Knowledge management: Historical and cross-disciplinary themes. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited Read More