Chapter 11: Knowledge Management II

Question 1

ICT for Supporting KM

Answer 1

• 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 2

Knowledge Work and IT – Core Processes

Answer 2

Question 3

Knowledge Identification

Answer 3

“How do I create transparency about existing knowledge?”

• Task: Analysis and description of knowledge environment
• Challenge: Provide overview over internal and external data, information, and capabilities.
• Problems: Inefficiency, uninformed decisions, duplication
• Examples:
  
  • Knowledge bearer maps
  • Knowledge structure maps (taxonomy cat)
  • Knowledge asset maps (who got it)

Question 4

Knowledge Acquisition

Answer 4

• “What capabilities do I acquire from external sources?”*
• 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

• Examples:
  
  • Potential: Management trainee
  • Resource: Temporary Manager

Question 5

Knowledge Development !

Answer 5

• “How do I build up new knowledge?”*
• 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)
• Examples:
  
  • Create freedom
  • Reduce workload
  • MOOC: Massive Open Online Course
    
    • Open
    • Structured
    • repeatable
    • discussions
    • communication

Question 6

Knowledge Usage

Answer 6

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

• 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
• Example: Knowledge Repositories
  
  • Storage of knowledge units (ku)
  • documentation and change history
  • support of editorial processes
  • seach funcionality
• Example: Knowledge Communities
  
  • ​Informal group of people with shared interest to specific subject

Question 7

Knowledge Sharing and Distribution

Answer 7

• “How do I get knowledge to the right places?”*
• 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
• Example: Social Software (Social Network, Social Collaboration…)
  
  • Wikis
  • Blogs

Question 8

Knowledge Conservation

Answer 8

“How do I guard myself against knowledge losses?”

• Task: Select important knowledge, ensure adequate storage and perform regular updates
• Challenge: Ensure existing knowledge is useable in the future
• Problems: Knowledge can be lost through re-organization, movement of labor

Question 9

Wikis + Design Principles!

Answer 9

• Enable anyone to contribute
• Edit any page
• Low contribution threshold
• Uses a simplified markup language
• Can be used collaboratively
• vs Blog: Not editable from others, only certain topics …

Question 10

Important Aspects for Implementing KM (I)

Answer 10

• „In an economy where the only certainty is uncertainty, the one sure source of lasting competitive advantage is knowledge“
• Strategy and Objectives
• Solution Modules
• Context & Content
• Corporate culture & cultural barriers
• Measuring success of KM
• Technology (as enabler for KM, connecting content and context, etc.)

Question 11

Barriers of effective knowledge transfer

Answer 11

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