Problem:
Every company has, to a greater or lesser extent, an information subsystem -- that is, a means by which it gathers data, interprets it, and makes it available to employees through a distribution system. Whether we are talking about marketing information, cost projections, accounting results, or internal quality reports, every company depends on knowledge to support its planning, decision making, and control.
So how does knowledge fit into the picture? The emergence of the field called knowledge management in the last 10 years or so has highlighted some key propositions:
- All organizations are storehouses of knowledge that operate in information-rich environments made up of people and things both inside and outside the organization itself
- Organizations organize, interpret, and evaluate this information to solve organizational problems
- Knowledge is the primary mechanism for processing and utilizing information
- People's brains are the key knowledge resource of any organization
- Codified knowledge stored in books, audio and video tapes, and computer systems can be an important knowledge resource as well
- There are organizational processes and strategies generally and IT management processes and strategies in particular that can significantly enhance the ability of organizations to use their knowledge resources to solve organizational problems effectively
These will assist with the paper.
Leonard, D., & Swap, W. (2005). The Knowledge Coach. HBS Working Knowledge.
Levinson, M. (2007). Knowledge Management Definition and Solutions.
Wiig, K.M. (N.D.) On The Management of Knowledge. The Wiig Group.
Read through the articles and consider the issues; you may wish to consult additional material from the background information or other information you research yourself. Then please prepare a 3-4 page paper, addressing the following questions:
How data, information and knowledge are related to the concept of knowledge management (KM)? How are they different (please define each one: data, information, knowledge and KM)? What are the potential benefits of knowledge management projects? What strategies should companies follow to achieve positive results in KM projects?
Paper expectations:
- Precision: the questions asked are answered.
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.
- Breadth and depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: It is important to read the required readings posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your paper should include important concepts from these readings and incorporate YOUR reactions and examples that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.
- References are properly cited