Knowledge Management and HR Practices - Annotated Bibliography Example

Introduction Knowledge Management plays an important role in reshaping the ways the businesses are conducted nowadays. The implications of knowledge management technology in different areas of business are considered very effective. For the effective management of human resources in organisations, the increasing role of knowledge management has been observed in human resource practices. Therefore, the topic of the proposed research study is to evaluation the impact of knowledge management on human resource practices in the organisations. The annotated bibliography has been developed to learn the findings of early research conducted on the similar topic. The bibliography starts from the research study of Hannula, Kukko and Okkonen (2002) on role of knowledge management in HR Context. By analysing the Finnish companies, the authors have studied the role knowledge management plays in HRM. The second research study has been conducted by Abzari, Nezam and Hosseini to analyse the role of knowledge management in the relationship between human resource practices and innovation performance. Therefore, Abzari and his co-researchers have studied the impact of knowledge management on innovation performance of human resources. The third research study has been conducted by Ramlall and he has determined the effectiveness of HR through integration of information technology. The next article is written by Gloet and Martin and it discusses the linkage between knowledge management and human resource management and its role in the development of strategic leadership and management capabilities. Finally the research paper of Edvardsson (2003) has been selected to study the impact of knowledge management on HR practices in creating and sharing of knowledge within organisations. In the following section, the annotated bibliography has been presented which discusses the aim, objectives, methodology, findings, limitations, significant and benefits of the selected research papers. Title of the Article The Fourth Perspective – Knowledge Management in Human Resources Context Reference of the article Hannula, M., Kukko, M., and Okkonen, J. (2002) “The Fourth Perspective – Knowledge Management in Human Resources Context”. [Online] Available at: http://www.tut.fi/units/tuta/teta/mittaritiimi/julkaisut/4thperspective.pdf [Accessed on 16 October 2010] Type of article Research article- Tampere University of University, Finland Aim/Objective of the selected research The aim of this study is to study the role of knowledge management in HR Context. The study also compares the historical and current trends in knowledge management and also highlights the rationales to use knowledge management. Methodology used to conduct the study In order to study the topic under investigation, Finnish companies have been selected. The instrument that has been used to conduct the study is the survey. The total sample consists of 50 Top Finnish companies selected based on the ranking of 2001 Finish magazine. The survey was conducted in autumn 2002 and the research was also done during the same period. Findings 1. The scope of knowledge management is very wide and from HR perspective the important elements are personnel education, personal experience, personal competencies, competency development and educational plans. Moreover, the knowledge management covers various elements such as reports, strategy and customer data. 2. In large organisations different kinds of databases are being used for knowledge management such as education databases, skills databases, personnel databases and experience databases. 3. In HR, the most important aspect of knowledge management is to manage the intangible assets such as gaining knowledge and personnel development. 4. A significant relationship has been observed between saving time and saving money in the context of knowledge management. 5. The increasing availability and sharing of knowledge management in organisations is also enhancing its use in organisations. 6. Finally, there are many central aspects of knowledge and competency which should be developed and in organisations such as performance management. Significance of research in my research This research study points out that a significant relationship exists between knowledge management and human resource management. Secondly, the research methodology of my proposed research study will be based on the methodology used by the author. Limitations The survey sample only analyses the Finnish companies therefore, findings of this study might not be suitable for other nations and the scope of the study is limited. Benefit of the study The methodology of the study is very strong because the research studies that were conducted before this research study on the similar topic earlier were usually case studies; therefore, this research study adopted a different approach. Title of the Article The Role of Knowledge Management in the Relationship Between HR Practices and Innovation Performance Reference of the article Abzari, M., Nezam, K. H. M., and Hosseini, G. M. (n.d.) “The Role of Knowledge Management in the Relationship Between HR Practices and Innovation Performance”. [Online] Available at: http://www.mousavian.ir/Conferences/MBA_Conference_1st/maghaleh/.../62.pdf [Accessed on 16 October 2010] Type of article Research article- Isfahan university Aim/Objective of the selected research The aim of this research study is to determine the role of knowledge management in the relationship between human resource practices and innovation performance. Methodology used to conduct the study This research study has an exploratory research design, therefore, to study the relationship between HR practices and innovation performance in the context of knowledge management, secondary resources has been used. The authors have studied the relationship by developing a literature review in which the findings of various researchers have been presented and finally conclusion has been made. Findings 1. This research study has concluded that a positive relationship exists between strategic human resource practices and knowledge management capacity. This positive relationship has a positive impact on innovation performance, therefore, when knowledge management is used in HR practices, the innovation performance of organizations increases. 2. The research study also proved that HR capacities positively influence the innovation performance when the capacity in knowledge acquisition, application and sharing is increased, thereby, highlighting the primary role of knowledge management and HR management in improving the innovation performance of companies. Significance of research in my research This research study is relevant for my proposed research study because it highlight the impact of knowledge management on innovation performance when it is used in human resource management. Therefore, in the proposed research I can also select the same or other area to study the impact. Limitations This research study has only discussed the findings of the previous researchers and after discussion and analysis the conclusions have been made. It appears to be a major limitation of this research study because primary data has not been collected to come up with new and original findings. Benefit of the study This research study is very beneficial for the managers when it comes to discuss the practical implications of this research study. This study helps the manager to understand the importance of actively managing human capital through a variety of human resource practices and by increasing the capacity of knowledge acquisition, sharing and application. Title of the Article Enhancing the Effectiveness of HR Through the Integration of IT Reference of the article Ramlall, S. J., (n.d.) “Enhancing the Effectiveness of HR Through the Integration of IT”. Journal of Business and Economic Research, [Online], 1 (10), Available at: Cluteinstitute-Online Journals http://www.cluteinstitute-onlinejournals.com/PDFs/2003112.pdf [Accessed on 17 October 2010] Type of article Research article- University of St. Thomas Aim/Objective of the selected research In this research study, Ramlall has studied the relationship between Human Resource and Information Technology and their impact in the creation and sustainability of competitive advantage. Moreover, this research study aims to address the major aspects of HR functions and how IT (the tools of knowledge management) can be integrated to create value for the organization. Methodology used to conduct the study This research study has an exploratory research study Findings 1. Human Resource and Information Technology are strongly related with each other and if IT is integrated with HR practices, the capability of both functions to develop and implement the strategies increases to create the value. 2. By providing workforce with appropriate technology, self-efficacy for learning, and a combination of HR practices and IT, the creation and sustainability of competitive advantage can be increased. 3. The integration of IT with human resources also contributes to ensure that the customers’ demands are being met in a more effective manner. Significance of research in my research This article points out that a major tool of knowledge management is information technology therefore; the study of IT integration with HRM and the evaluation of its effectiveness is another way to study the impact of knowledge management on HRM. Limitations This article is very useful to understand the relationship between knowledge management and human resource management however, its scope is limited because only the theoretical models have been used to explain the relationship. The limited scope also contributes to its limited practical implications. Benefit of the study This article is very significant to study the relationship between knowledge management and human resource management and their contribution to sustainable development in the context of theoretical models. Title of the Article Knowledge Management and HRM as a Means to Develop Leadership and Management Capabilities Support Sustainability Reference of the article Gloet, M. And Martin, B., (n.d.) “Knowledge Management and HRM as a Means to Develop Leadership and Management Capabilities Support Sustainability”. [Online] Available at: http://kmap2005.vuw.ac.nz/.../Knowledge%20Mgmt%20&%20HRM.pdf [Accessed on 17 October 2010] Type of article Article- RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia Aim/Objective of the Article In the selected article, the author aims to study the linkage between knowledge management and human resource management and its role in the development of strategic leadership and management capabilities in the modern organisations and to promote the social and environmental forms of sustainable development. Methodology used to conduct the study In this article, authors have studied the knowledge management and human resource management by discussing the findings of the researchers and using the theoretical models and literature. The model of Relationship between KM and HRM presented by Gloet in 2004 has been discussed and evaluated. Findings/Conclusions 1. Based on the discussion, the authors of the article have concluded that knowledge is a resource and a basis for sustainability and when its integration with management practices should be sustainable. 2. Knowledge management offers a range of spanning activities and support mechanisms such as knowledge creation, sharing, frameworks, measurement, learning, feedback and education. 3. To support the sustainable development in organisations, application of knowledge and expertise through knowledge management and human resource management are very significant and the deeper the intensity of knowledge and information, the more effective is the support to sustainable development. 4. The key to enhance the contribution of knowledge management in HRM us by enhancing the awareness and understanding of underlying values and assumptions. Significance of research in my research This article highlights another aspect of knowledge management. The article shows that impact of knowledge management on HRM can be also studied by considering its implications on organisational leadership and management of sustainable development. Limitations The relationship between IT integration and HR practices in this research study has been studied by exploring the findings of other researchers and using secondary data and no primary data has been collected, therefore, the scope of this research study is limited. Moreover, it does not have practical implications for a specific nation or culture. Benefit of the study This research study is very beneficial for the managers to understand the importance of integration of IT with HR practices. As more and more companies are integrating IT and HR practices to reduce the costs of the organisations therefore, this study can be useful to get a generalise idea about the benefits of knowledge management in HR practices. Title of the Article Knowledge Management and Creative HRM Reference of the article Edvardsson, R. I, (2003) “Knowledge Management and Creative HRM”. [Online] Available at: http://www.strath.ac.uk/media/departments/hrm/pdfs/hrm-pdf-occasionalpapers/media_61995_en.pdf [Accessed on 17 October 2010] Type of article Occasional Paper- University of Akureyri, Iceland Aim/Objective of the Article The aim of this paper is to determine the impacts of HR practices including HR strategies, selection and recruitment, training and development, performance management and remuneration on the creating and sharing of knowledge within organisations. Moreover, this paper also aims to analyse whether human resource management needs a specific human resource strategy or not. Methodology used to conduct the study The research methodology that has been used to study the topic under investigation is based on literature review and in the later section a discussion and analysis has been done. Findings/Conclusions 1. The role of knowledge management and human resource management is still at infancy stage. 2. The changing global environment and technologies encourage the use of explorative learning strategy and creative HRM. 3. There are at least two strategies related with knowledge management including exploitative learning strategy and exploratory learning strategy. 4. Edvardsson has also evaluated the positive impact of knowledge management on some selected human resource practices. 5. The author also finds that the research in knowledge management and HRM is mostly passed on case studies and interview therefore, the findings of these studies cannot be generalised. Significance of research in my research This research paper appears to be very significance to understand how the impact of knowledge management can be studied on different HR practices individually. Limitations The limitation of this paper is that like various other studies, this paper also studies the relationship between knowledge management and HRM through theoretical models and literature, therefore, findings of this research cannot be generalised. Benefit of the study This research paper is very useful to understand the impact of knowledge management on each human resource management practice individually such as on hiring, recruitment, incentives etc. Conclusion Therefore, from the review of the annotated bibliography, it can be concluded that studying the impact of knowledge management on human resource practices within organisations is an important area. The findings of the above research studied show that knowledge management is become increasingly important in organisations to manage their human resource in a more effective manner. The early research work provides a huge food for thought however, most of the early studies are based on literature therefore, and their general implications are problematic. In order to study the effects of knowledge management on human resource practices a descriptive study should be conducted. In this way the findings from the primary data analysed in the context of secondary research and theoretical models will be more capable to determine the impact of knowledge management on human resource management. Moreover, the limitations of the selected research studies can be also improved in the proposed research study by conducting a descriptive study. Read More