Significance of Knowledge Management - Annotated Bibliography Example

Running heading: Significance of knowledge management Significance of knowledge management Name Course Tutor 18th October, 2010 Introduction Knowledge management refers to the process by which information in an organization is generated, evaluated, shared and eventually implemented in the running of the organization It refers to the coordination of all the factors in an organization so as to ensure increase in productivity resulting in increased returns and hence increase in profits. Companies that are already implementing the knowledge management strategies are enjoying the benefits such as the accessibility of important corporate information. The employees of these companies refer to the knowledge management system when making important organizational decisions. Through the model that is formulated by organization’s CFO’s, knowledge is well circulated in the organization enhancing quality and perfect results in accordance with the firm’s objectives that have already been set and are meant to be met. Centre for educational research and innovation, 2000, Knowledge management in the Learning society: education and skills. France: OECD Publishing. This bibliography begins with Centre for educational research and innovation, 2000, article that deals with how knowledge is utilized in learning institutions. It deals with how knowledge is produced, mediated and finally applied. It also has information on formulation of solutions to these problems. Wimmer, A. M., 2003. Knowledge management in electronic government: 4TH IFIP international working conference. New York: Springer The second article by Wimmer (2003), talks about the importance of using knowledge management systems in a government, the result achieved by public organizations that are using knowledge management systems are also studied so as to establish whether the strategy is beneficial or not. It also talks about the technology that supports knowledge management activities. Gannon, J. M., & Newman, L. K., 2002. The Blackwell handbook of cross-cultural Management. London: Willy-Blackwell. The third article Gannon & Newman (2002), talks about the different cultures and how they affect the behavior displayed by people as they carry out the activities assigned to them in the firm. This then expands on how the different cultures affect knowledge management based on whether they believe in individualism and collectivism. Wallace, P. D., 2007. Knowledge management: historical and cross-disciplinary themes, New York: Libraries unlimited. The fourth article Wallace (2007), elaborates on the origin and future of knowledge management and the distinctions between personal knowledge management and corporate knowledge management. It expounds on the advantages that are as a result of the technological advancements that are continuously leading to the world becoming a global village. Awad, E. M. & Awad, H. M., 2004. Knowledge Management. New York: Pearson Education The final article Awad & Awad (2004) elaborates on knowledge management and gives the reason of implementing it so as to stay ahead of the competition by creating complete awareness in the organization in all the departments. Title and reference of the article Centre for educational research and innovation,2000,knowledge management in the learning society: education and skills OECD publishing France Aim of the article The main aim of the article is to come up with ways of improving the value of education especially in the light of social, political and economical changes. It also aims at improving the educational networks among member countries and to a larger extent the non-members countries so as to come up with solutions to educational problems that are of common interest to them all. It also aims at explaining how knowledge generated is produced, mediated and eventually applied. It talks of the importance of instilling the basics of knowledge management from when the person is young since by the time they are old enough they will have perfected the skill. Methodology The author studies the educational sector and compares it with other sectors for example the health sector, information and technology and even engineering using comparative analysis. The entire study is based on the assumption that all the societies in the world are going through a change comparable to the industrial revolution that took place over two decades ago. Findings From the study it is realized that knowledge is divided into four categories; 1. know-how 2. know-who 3. know-what 4. know-why Weakness of the article The issues studied are highly contradictory and mainly depends on personal opinions. For example when the author attempts to differentiate between private and public knowledge. It is difficult to differentiate the two as they tend to be more of philosophy. Evidence The author cites to have gotten the basis of his findings from ancient roots among them Lundvall and Johnson (1994) Importance to knowledge management This article focuses on the need to come up with ways of solving knowledge management problems. This will in turn ensure that young people grow up with the skill of knowledge management in them. This also ensures that all when they start working in organizations they make use of the knowledge acquired ensuring tremendous growth in the organization. Since the skill will already be instilled in them they will have perfected the skill and hence the overall benefit will be huge. Finding solutions together as a group also instills the concept of teamwork which is core in an organization. Title and reference of the article Wimmer, A. M., 2003. Knowledge management in electronic government: 4th Ifip international working conference. New York: Springer. Aim of the article The main aim of the article is to emphasize to governments on the need to apply the knowledge management strategies so as to achieve the set objectives. Since the governments are in charge of the public sector, the article also shows the benefits of knowledge management in such firms. It also aims at coming up with a criteria so as to increase the returns in an organization or government. It also largely covers the contributions by the award based on performance criteria of boosting the morale of employees. It is clear that in firms where the awards based on performance is applied the workers tend to work harder so as to be awarded but in the long run the benefit is mainly to the firm. Methodology The article is based on a survey carried in United States of America in the year 2002 on firms both private and public that aimed to get the impact of rewards in terms of levels of productivity. It was carried out through the employees of these companies whereby they were supposed to indicate the criteria used in carrying out interviews, selecting applicants and whether the letters for applications were increasing or decreasing. They also asked what impact the successful firms or programs had on the rest of the industry and what role knowledge management had to play in the entire process. Whether it was beneficial to have knowledge management systems or not. Findings The study concluded that having the awards based on performance had a positive impact o the general returns in the firm. It was also clear that application of knowledge management system enhanced knowledge flow in a firm both horizontally and vertically. The study also established that use of Total Quality Management methods (TQM) enhanced consumer satisfaction and the full participation of the employees thus making sure that everyone is aware of the knowledge available in the firm. Every employee was aware of the activities or the role they were meant to play in the firm and this enhanced productivity. As a result the profits earned continuously increased improving the financial status of the firm. Weaknesses of the article The study was only carried out in the United States and this could be a limiting factor and could hence result in inaccuracy in the conclusions drawn eventually. Evidence The study was mainly based on the organization model and the experience models which are widely accepted models in evaluating the general performance of firms. Significance of the article in terms of knowledge management The article shows how knowledge is beneficial to firms and governments when used. This article gives a clear indication that firms or governments that apply a knowledge management system in their day today activities have huge competitive advantage in the long run. The article elaborates on the benefits of knowledge management. There is reiteration on public sector to rise up and also be competitive. If governments implement knowledge management systems in their states there could result tremendous economic growth and hence lead to improved welfare in these countries. Title and reference of the article Gannon, J. M. & Newman, L. K., 2002. The Blackwell handbook of cross-cultural management. London: Willy-Blackwell Aim of the article The main aim of the article was to study the variety of cultures in an organization and how being diversified in terms of culture affects our overall behavior in the organization. It focuses on employees and the impact their culture has on their work both positive and negative. While at it, the study goes further to explore individualism, collectivism and power distance. (Hostefede 1980) This in turn helps us to understand the effects of culture on knowledge management strategies when implemented in a firm. Methodology Franke (1992) studied 62 countries in a bid to come up with the effects of individualism and power distance in an organization hence affecting knowledge management in the organization. Findings It is clear that employees that have adopted the individualism culture are not willing to share knowledge with the rest and hence the level of performance in organizations dominated by such employees is very low. Individualism does not even enhance good relations with the seniors and this will eventually result to the problem of power distance. This is because they consider the knowledge they have as their own property and to the seniors they consider the knowledge as their own identity. On the other hand, employees that have adopted the collectivism culture are more willing to share any knowledge that they may have and this results in high returns. This is because collectivism advocates for teamwork and hence will be willing to share the knowledge that is at their exposure. The culture that a person believes in is very crucial on the overall effect it has on knowledge management in the organization. Weaknesses of the article The study is based on information from scholars from olden times and considering that during the modern times culture is no longer defining a person’s personality or the decisions they make the study could have outlived its main use and application or surpassed by time. Evidence The study is supported by the information put forward by renowned scholars including Hostefedes, Franke and Hoppes. Significance of the article in terms of knowledge management The article is of great importance in knowledge management analysis because culture is always going to exist and we can almost not detach ourselves from it entirely. This is critical since it enables us to fully comprehend the impact of the culture we believe in. It also helps when choosing the employees of a firm so as to choose those that will serve the purpose we intend them to without being contradicted by the culture they believe in. It enlightens us on what culture can do to us and hence at times when we study and realize that a certain culture is more advanced we could adopt it with time so as to be able to achieve the desired results. It is possible to adapt a culture that will enhance effectiveness in knowledge management. Title and reference of the article Wallace, P. D., 2007. Knowledge management: historical and cross-disciplinary themes. New York: Libraries unlimited Aim of the article The main aim of the article is to explain the concept of knowledge management, its origin, how the concept has grown over time and the future of knowledge management. The study also clearly distinguishes between personal knowledge management and corporate knowledge management. The first step is personal knowledge management and eventually corporate knowledge management. It studies the implications of technological advancements in enhancing knowledge management through the creation of online communities where anyone can access any information that they need. Methodology The study is carried out through interviewing employees and comparing the results of firm that apply knowledge management and those that do not. It also studies the trend assumed over the years from the olden days when knowledge management was discovered. Findings Knowledge management begins at individual level so as to be eventually applied at the corporate level. The increases in the technology know how in future of knowledge management is very promising. This is due to factors such as the online communities whereby the world is becoming a global village and everyone can access anyone anytime. This therefore means that people will be able to communicate and share knowledge easily making firms very successful. In a few years time, knowledge management strategies will be very effective. Weaknesses of the article The future of knowledge management is based on assumptions when everyone can access the online communities they will be willing to share knowledge which may not be the case as there are still other limiting factors like culture. Banking on uncertainties could end up being disastrous. Evidence The author’s work is supported by Lieberman’s model and Berner’s-Lee proposed information system model. Importance of knowledge management This article emphasizes on where the concept of knowledge management emerged from, where it is at present and where it will be in the future. It emphasizes on why firms should apply KM systems and the benefits therein among them better returns and smooth flow of activities in the firm as everyone understands their role in everything they undertake to do in the firm. Everything is well stated and hence there is perfection and time is highly valued. With the rise of the online communities’ knowledge management practices will be very effective in the future. Title and reference of the article Awad, E. M. & Awad, H. M., 2004. Knowledge Management. New York: Pearson Education Aim of the article The main aim of the article is to clearly explain what knowledge management entails, the process of implementing knowledge management and why a firm should have a KM system. It explains knowledge management as a strategy that earns an organization competitive advantage over its competitors in a market where the businessmen are becoming innovative day in day out so as to optimize and maximize profits eventually. After all everyone wants too lead while the others follow and be known for their achievements, actions speak louder than words. Methodology The study was carried on two competing firms and the main focus was on the contribution of the KM systems to their performance in terms of business. Findings The study managed to conclude that a firm must be keen to source knowledge from consumer knowledge, product knowledge and the personnel practices knowledge. To do this however, the firm must put in place a system that ensures that al the departments is in communication so as to avoid any contradictory decisions. To succeed there must be a clear plan on how to run the activities in the company. The person concerned must be given all the required information. Hardly will a job assigned fail to be done well if clear instructions are given. Firms should therefore ensure that all the information needed to carry out a task at any one time is stated clearly. Weaknesses of the article The study is only based on a few organizations hence the conclusions derived eventually might not apply in all cases as firms are different. Evidence It is drawn from the studies from numerous scholars that came with relatively the same idea and is therefore valid. Significance of the article in relation to knowledge management. The article gives the competitive advantage of ensuring that a firm has a beneficial knowledge management system put in place. It also explains the need of chains of information that are clear to everyone to ensure free flow of knowledge and hence resulting in huge returns for the firm and prosperity. This enhances knowledge management strategies that are applied in the firm. From the above annotated bibliography, the significance of knowledge management to organizations, governments and individuals are well outlined. We are made aware that it is important that the concept of knowledge management starts when someone is still young. (Centre for educational research and innovation, 2000). Governments on the other hand are challenged to rise up and encourage and initiate the implementation of knowledge management systems in their states (Wimmer, 2003). It is also pointed out that cultural practices have a huge impact on the effectiveness of knowledge management .This is possible depending on whether the people in a firm believe in individualism or collectivism. Individualism leads to power distance. Collectivism on the other hand enhances teamwork among employees and hence leads to effective knowledge sharing which a concept is built on knowledge management (Gannon & Newman, 2002). The other significance of having competitive advantage is well explained and since the firms are constantly in competition, knowledge management implementation in a firm is the solution they need so as to be ahead of the rest (Awad & Awad, 2004). The future of knowledge management is already very promising as the online communities are just being enhanced and everyone is over time becoming well aware of the accessibility of all the needs online (Wallace, 2007). The business world is consistently becoming competitive and the only solution for survival is to come up with strategies that will enable the firm be outstanding. Such strategies include the knowledge management strategies which enable the firms to increase their revenues and profits. It is time that each firm implements knowledge management so as to have competitive advantage. References Awad, E. M. & Awad, H. M., 2004. Knowledge Management. New York: Pearson Education Centre for educational research and innovation, 2000, Knowledge management in the Learning society: education and skills. France: OECD Publishing. Gannon, J. M., & Newman, L. K., 2002. The Blackwell handbook of cross-cultural Management. London: Willy-Blackwell. Wallace, P. D., 2007. Knowledge management: historical and cross-disciplinary themes. New York: Libraries unlimited Wimmer, A. M., 2003. Knowledge management in electronic government: 4TH IFIP international working conference. New York: Springer. Read More