Knowledge Management in Organizations - Literature review Example

Knowledge Management in Organisations Name Institution Date Question 1 The definition of KM by Davenport and Prusak (1998) does not consider utilizing different sources of information. The authors acknowledge that people can get knowledge only from resources found within the organization like change management and management information systems. Thus, the definition is more subjective and limits people from getting information from other sources. For this reason, I think the definition is more relevant to theory and falls short of the aspect of information sharing. In addition, the definition appears highly applicable to various context of environment where people work because every work place has its ways of doing things, which individuals can acquire knowledge from. This definition does not apply only to a single culture. Davenport and Prusak focused on all organizations’ settings when defining KM and this is reflected in the statement ‘your organization’ implying that it is applicable universally. The most useful aspect of their definition is that KM involves learning from how the organization conducts its business. According to me, it helps employees learn something to some extent. Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) definition is subjective because it talks of knowledge being created only by an organization and not by other stakeholders who could have useful information to the very organization. However, it is relevant to practice since the knowledge created is then used to make products or provide services customers need. This definition seems relevant to business enterprises that deal with goods or service because according to the authors the knowledge should be embodied in products and services. It is possible to tell from the definition whether or not it is more applicable to a given culture. Unlike Davenport and Prusak (1998) definition, this definition highlights how new knowledge is distributed across the organization to allow development of products and services. These, in deed, are the most useful aspects of the definition. Wiig’s definition is objectified in a sense that it recognizes that every person has knowledge in form of understanding, insights and practical know-how. It is also more relevant to practice than theory as Wiig (1993) states that the knowledge people possess is eventually transformed into practices and other manifestations. The definition is generally applicable to various fields as indicated; within all organizations and the entire society. Further, it not appropriate to a particular culture because the author acknowledges that every individual in the society has a fundamental resource referred to as knowledge. The most useful aspects of the definition, according to my understanding are that knowledge allows people to function intelligently, it is transformed into different manifestations and that when it is used well improve effectiveness in performance (Wiig, 1993). The definition by Corso et al (2006) is highly objectified as it assumes that people learn and share information in an environment they live. According to my view, this definition is more practical as it indicates that KM is a process that involves setting goals and using information to benefit the organization. Thus, knowledge must be put into action. In addition, it is not applicable to a specific field as the author state that knowledge can be applied not only in within the organization, but even outside. Since people learn and share information beyond organizational boundaries, I believe the definition cuts across all cultures. The most useful aspects of the definition include creating good environment for KM and how the process leads to production of new knowledge that is important to the organization. Therefore, the KM definition that best fits the way in which I observe the world is Corso et al (2006) definition. KM should allow sharing of information with people around so that an individual can acquire relevant knowledge that helps to improve performance. But, first an enabling environment must be created to facilitate the process. Without interacting with others we may not acquire the necessary information to enable we achieve our goals as individuals and the organization in general. Corso et al (2006) has reflected this in the definition of KM. According to Leask, Lee, Milner, Norton, and Rathod (2008) flow of knowledge within and outside the organization should involve sharing answers, expertise, ideas, insights and information by linking individuals and information, as well as supporting collaborative working. These influence my perspective about KM and the world. This view point would positively influence the way I approach a KM investigation in such a way that I would want to vision how knowledge processing can be improved as a result of KM interventions and strategies. I would focus much on learning and knowledge production, in stead of concentrating on individual processes that involve retrieval and use of information. I believe that the KM goal should be to achieve as well as maintain sustainable originality in knowledge (Firestone & McElroy, 2003). Thus, there would be no problem practicing KM as it has to involve learning from colleagues and their experiences to build on personal knowledge and that of the organization. Question 2 The western Hills Nature Club (WHNC) structure is likely to comprise of the general manager as the head of organisation. Under the general manager would be club manager, library manager and printing press manager. Some employees must be working in the three areas; club room, library and press. The organization has low membership as it is indicated that its membership list has declined. WHNC prints handbooks as well as guidebooks and they resources they get they use to serve the community. The organisation receives different forms of reports from the local community groups it funds but it is not able to assemble them well. It is concerned with topics that relates to nature and environment as this is mainly their area of research. An example of a topic could be how to preserve the environment. The organisation is likely to be having a poor knowledge management and publication system despite being financially stable because complains about their publication works have increased. In addition, WHNC has the legal obligation to prevent environment from pollution, meet the requirement of its customers and meet standards for its research. Thus, the organisation has conduct business in a manner that meets the legal requirements. The likely culture of WHNC would be that they still rely much on paper work (traditional way of doing things) and are yet to embrace technology to fullest. Mindview Mind Mapping Software is a KM tool that allows the user to brainstorm, organise and present suggestions. It allows users to become more productive as they are able to turn their ideas into action very fast. It can also be used in meetings and in collaborating with members of the team (Mindview Mind Mapping Software). This tool falls under creation and discovering process. This product is good for the organisation because it will help assembling the materials the local community groups bring to the organisation. The second KT tool is the Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition. It allows customers to handle various databases singly without changing applications. It can also be used to manage transaction processing, data warehouse and big data workloads (Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition). The tool can be classified under explicating and exeternalising process and it is applicable to the organisation as it will help the organisation manage more data and reduce storage costs. Vanguard Expert System Software product is facilitates capturing of business rules and building applications that allows customers to select company products troubleshoot, call-scripting for customer service centers and ensure regulatory compliance (Vanguard Expert System Software). The tool falls under internalising and assimilating process. It fits into organisation’s needs as it will be able to manage its operations more effectively and avoid complains from its partners. On the other hand, Facebook is a KM tool that allows users to share information and technologies across the world (Facebook). The tools is categorised under communicating and sharing process. The organisation will be able to increase it membership when it uses this tool. Question 3 – Metadata The elements in the table have been presented based on the decryptions below. Contributor:is in reference to the entity responsible for adding value to the resource. Creator:is in reference to the entity responsible for the creation and existence of the resource. Description:this is a data about the source in form of an account that may be detailed or not. Date:the length of time or duration in association to the source. Format:The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource. Identifier:An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context. Language:A language of the resource. Publisher:An entity responsible for making the resource available. Relation:a different source that has similar information as the source in question. Rights:Information about rights held in and over the resource. Source:A related resource from which the described resource is derived. Subject:The topic of the resource. Title:A name given to the resource. Type:The nature or genre of the resource. Boris Electronic Chess Computer ELEMENT CONTENT Contributor Computer History Museum Creator Applied Concepts, Inc. Description Object consists of chess computer game in wooden case, cardboard chess board and 32 pieces. Identifier Serial Number: B15331 Publisher Computer History Museum Rights Copyright © 2014 Computer History Museum Subject Games; chess; Speech Type Physical Object Coverage 1977 - 2014 Date 1977 Format Physical Object: 3 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 6 3/4 in. Language English Relation Computing device, chess computer Source Computer History Museum catalogue number 102647279 Title Boris Electronic Chess Computer Web page ELEMENT CONTENT Contributor Murdoch University Creator Murdoch University Description Welcome to Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. We're proud to have more than 22,000 students and 2,000 staff from all over the world Identifier TEQSA number: PRV12163 CRICOS code: 00125J Publisher Murdoch University Rights Murdoch University: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/goto/CopyrightNotice Subject About Murdoch University, courses offered, students, alumni Type Web page, html, css, images Coverage 2014 Date 2014 Format Html, css Language English Relation University education Source http://www.murdoch.edu.au/ Title Murdoch University in Perth Australia References Corso, M., Giacobbe, A., Martini, A., & Pellegrini, L. (2006). What Knowledge Management for Mobile Workers? Knowl. Process Mgmt., 13(3), 206-217. Davenport, T.H., & Prusak, L. (1998). Working knowledge: How organisations manage what they know. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Details. (n.d.). Boris Electronic Chess Computer. Retrieved February 18, 2014, from http://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102647279 Dublin Core Metadata Element Set, Version 1.1. (n.d.). Dublin Core Metadata Element Set, Version 1.1. Retrieved February 18, 2014, from http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/ http://facebook/ http://www.matchware.com/en/products/mindview/default.htm http://www.oracle.com/us/products/database/enterprise-edition/overview/index.html http://www.vanguardsw.com/en/products/mindview/default.htm Mindview Mind Mapping Software Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1995). The knowledge- Creating company. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Oracle Database 12c Enterprise Edition Vanguard Expert System Software Welcome to Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.. (n.d.). Murdoch University in Perth Australia. Retrieved February 18, 2014, from http://www.murdoch.edu.au/ Wiig, K. (1993). Knowledge management foundation. Arlington, TX: Schema Press. Read More