10 Knowledge Management II

Question 1

10.1.1 Instruments of Knowledge Management

Answer 1

Classical

• Domain database
• “yellow pages”
• Portals

“new”, e.g., form Web 2.0 area

• Semantic web
• Knowledge communities
• Folksonomies
• Wikis

Question 2

10.1.2 ICT for Supporting KM

Answer 2

Access Layer: input-/output procedures & for the user directly accessible technologies & tools

Middleware Layer: technologies for supporting

• communication, coordination & cooperation
• search & retrieval of data, information & knowledge
• data analyses
• processes & workflows in and between organisations/units

Backend Layer: Data storage, data protection, data administration

Question 3

10.1.3 Knowledge Generation and Knowledge Use

Answer 3

Interaction with Environment / Experience

leads to

Individual Knowledge (Persons)

leads to

Collaborative Knowledge (Groups)

leads to

Organizational Knowledge

Question 4

10.1.7 The Knowledge Management Spectrum (Bild)

Answer 4

S. 62

Question 5

10.1.8.1 Knowledge Identification

“How do I create transparency about existing knowledge?”

Answer 5

• Task: Analysis and description of knowledge environment
• Challenge: Provide overview over internal and external data, information, and capabilities.
• Problems: Inefficiency, uninformed decisions, duplication

Example Technology: Knowledge Maps

• Knowledge bearer maps
• Knowledge structure maps
• Knowledge utilization maps

Question 6

10.1.8.2Knowledge Acquisition

“What capabilities do I acquire from external sources?”

Answer 6

Task: Decide what knowledge to acquire through recruiting or acquisition

Challenge: Ensure best possible access to external knowledge

Problems: Un-used potential for knowledge acquisition in existing cooperations

Question 7

10.1.8.2.1 Types of Knowledge Bearers (Bild)

Answer 7

Question 8

10.1.8.3 Knowledge Development

“How do I build up new knowledge?”

10.1.8.3.1 Contexts to Support new Knowledge

Answer 8

Task: Build up new knowledge in addition to external acquisition

Challenge: Develop new capabilities, better ideas, and increasingly powerful processes

Problems: Creation of new knowledge in areas without expertise is very difficult (e.g., R&D)

• Create freedom
• Reduce workload
• Congruence of interests
• Make room for errors

Question 9

10.1.8.4 Knowledge Usage

“How do I make sure knowledge is actually used?”

10. 1.8.4.1 Knowledge Repositories
11. 1.8.4.2 Knowledge Communities

Answer 9

Task: Ensure the productive use of organizational knowledge

Challenge: Knowledge identification and distribution is not enough

Problems: Various barriers inhibit the use of external knowledge

Knowledge repositories are depositories for explicit knowledge in which knowledge units (ku) are registered, administrated and are made accessible for potential users.
Core functionalities are:

• Storage of ku’s
• Documentation of change histories of ku’s
• A search functionality supporting the identification of ku’s

Informal group of people with a shared interest in and affinity to a specific subject Community support platform functionalities

• Administration of membership and related work-flows
• Provision of tools for communication and cooperation among the members (e.g. bulletin boards, chats, repositories, etc.)
• Analysis of member data and profiles

Question 10

10.1.8.5 Knowledge Sharing and Distribution

“How do I get knowledge to the right places?”

10. 1.8.5.1 Emerging Technologies in Enterprise KM
11. 1.8.5.2 Wikis

Answer 10

Task: Make knowledge accessible for the people who need it

Challenge: Transfer knowledge from individuals to groups

Problems: Existing knowledge is not codified and accessible by others

Common obstacles (Hinderniss) to success:

Digital objects are difficult to find.

When found, objects are difficult to assess.

Systems are not strong at identifying people who can help find or assess objects.

Enable anyone to contribute

Edit any page

Low contribution threshold

Uses a simplified markup language

Question 11

10.1.8.5.2.1 Wiki Design Principles

Answer 11

• Open
• Incremental
• Organic
• Simple
• Universal
• Precise
• Comprehensible

Question 12

10.2.1 Important Aspects for Implementing KM

Answer 12

Strategy & Objectives

Solution Modules (yellow pages, knowledge communities, knowledge repositories, knowledge & topic maps, e-learning)

Context & content

Corporate culture & cultural barriers

Organisation (designing knowledge-oriented processes & organisational structure with role models and responsibilities for KM)

Technology (as enabler for KM, connecting content and context, etc.)

Measuring success of KM

Question 13

10.2.2 Barriers of Effective Knowledge Transfer

Answer 13

• Short in Time
• Low information about knowledge demand of others
• Missing awareness of importance of knowledge transfer