Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of utilising information and communication technologies (ICT) in the knowledge management processes.
1.0 Introduction:
A dominant theme in knowledge management is the role and the importance of ICT (Hislop, 2002). The two key perspectives are: the objectivist perspective and the practice based perspective (ibid).
Most theoretical and empirical studies are optimistic about how an organization can either share its knowledge assets through ICT directly, or how alternative means of sharing knowledge can be supported and facilitated by ICT (ibid). This approach is based on a particular objectivist epistemological perspective of knowledge (ibid).
The practice based approach however is increasingly becoming popular and takes a much more sceptical view of the way in which ICT can transfer knowledge in its true form. The essential point of this perspective is that the intrinsic character of knowledge makes it nearly impossible to share through such means (Cook and Brown, 1999).
In order to understand the role of ICT in knowledge management and these two core perspectives, it is first important to understand what is meant by knowledge and knowledge management. The most popular answer to what knowledge is, is given by the work of Nonaka (1994) who highlights the difference between Tacit and Explicit knowledge. Tacit knowledge represents knowledge that an individual has which isn’t easily expressed and incorporates both cognitive framework and physical skills (Hislop, 2011). Explicit knowledge is by contrast codified knowledge, which individuals can learn without experience (Hislop, 2011). The key difference between the two is the ease with which knowledge can be shared (Walsham, 2001)....
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...atives. Failure to do so will limit the success of such ICT initiatives.
5.0 Conclusion:
Overall the distinction between objectivist and practice-based perspective is clear, with both viewing ICT in different ways. With Objectivist fundamentally seeing ICT as a way of enabling knowledge management, whilst practice based where more sceptical and viewed it as a way in which can support the process of knowledge management. Both objectivist and practice-based perspective did however state two ways in which ICT benefits them. Overall the role of ICT is limited, due to the fact that in order for it to be successful its need individuals to partake, as when ICT initiative are imposed individuals tend to resist, showing it lack of importance to the knowledge process. Also fundamentally the potential for ICT is limited due to its inability to codify the tacit knowledge.
"In a landmark 1945 essay on "The Use of Knowledge in Society," Frederick Hayek spoke about the time we spend in on-the-job learning, and about the unique "knowledge of people, of local conditions, and of special circumstances" we each accumulate through our work" (Arthur, Defillippi, & Lindsay, 2008, p. 365). The enabling the presence and growth of knowledge workers are the technological developments of information systems to improve ideally the productivity of various tasks. Knowledge is "one of the most important driving forces for business success" (Mansour, Alhawari, Talet & Al-Jarrah, 2011, p. 684). As an IT discipline, knowledge management is experiencing a history and evolution since the early 90's. The composition of the development of knowledge management systems include
The management of knowledge within the context of organizational processes is a determining factor of its effectiveness and level of performance. Hislop (2013) stated, "One of the key distinctions in the knowledge management literature relates to epistemology" (p. 8). In an attempt to acquire an in-depth understanding of key aspects of knowledge management I will analyze a key organizational job position that possesses valuable experience and traits of fulfilling responsibilities. My analysis will include a description of the organization and position, a review of the perspectives and types of knowledge, as described by Hislop (2013), as they relate to the job position, and the challenges encountered in transferring
Lytras, M. D. (2008). Knowledge management strategies: A handbook of applied technologies. Hershey: IGI Pub.
ICT in Tesco's This essay is going to be about Tesco's and the IT that they use within the organisation to help them function. Tesco's is the largest food retailer in the world. Like lots of other big supermarkets, Tesco's concentrates mainly on building their stores in out of town locations with petrol stations, cafes and large car parks. [IMAGE] One of the technologies used is a barcode reader. Tesco's was among the first few stores on the high street to start using barcode readers.
T.D. Wilson (2002) makes a point of identifying several sources of articles, references and course syllabi with varying takes on knowledge management within organizations. Wilson is convinced that organizations misuse the terminology “knowledge management” and that their activities are more concerned with managing information than with the management of knowledge (Wilson, 2002). Wilson defines knowledge as involving “the mental processes of comprehension” or, as “what we know” and information as the expression of what we know and can convey through messages (Wilson, 2002). By researching the use of the “knowledge management” Wilson conveys that the terms knowledge and information are used interchangeably, which results in an inaccurate application
This wider definition relates the application of knowledge to the wider processes of business practices i.e. the production and promotion of goods and services. Further it indicates how technological de...
(106) 'Knowledge management means using the ideas and experience of employees, customers and suppliers to improve the organisation’s performance. ' (5) Knowledge management (KM) is best when 'it is in alignment with organizational culture, structure and strategy ' (5). For this reason, the aim of this briefing document is to advise Santander on solutions to potential KM barriers employees may face by discussing three key barriers- culture, technology and leadership.
Introduction With today’s rate of development in technology, there has also been an immense increase in global information sharing. Innovations in technology and design seem to be emerging in the market almost every month. One of the key aspects of any business is to gather, organize and efficiently apply this information. According to Antonic (2005), economic assets are fast becoming of secondary importance in the market as companies ascribe more importance to intellectual capital. With the right application of knowledge management methods, companies can achieve a competitive advantage by managing the immense amount of information available (Balanced Scorecard Institute, 2002).
Hansen M., Nohria N., and Tierney T. (1999), “What’s your Strategy for Managing Knowledge?,” Harvard Business Review (March 1999), 106–16.
In most organizations, effective utilization of knowledge increases productivity, creates competitive advantage and, ultimately, improves profits.
The world is getting smaller, yet remains full of possibilities due in part to technology. Interestingly, the very first emails could only be sent to someone using two computers, literally side by side. Technology dates back to the first manipulations of materials to assist in human survival. There are many definitions for technology, John D. Carl describes technology stating,” it deals with the creation, use, and application of knowledge and its’ interrelation with life, society, and the environment” (Carl, J.D., 2011, p.301). For the purpose of this paper, any instrument, invention, or method influencing and allowing people to control or adapt to their environment, is technology. With the increased availability of technological tools (smart phones, text messaging, image scanning, email, and social media), communication is rapidly changing. Society has moved beyond the Industrial Age and into the Information Age, where the sharing of knowledge and ideas is the new driver of power and world economy. Technology possesses many merits, and as with any tool, it carries drawbacks. Misuse and overuse creates unsavory dependence. This dependence can have adverse affects on people, business, and education. Technology receives vast criticism for reducing face-to-face interactions. Although the information technology of today is widely held as impersonal, it promotes communication; technology reduces costs and leverages productivity by facilitating access to information and knowledge, and augmenting interaction amongst those who utilize technology.
The concept of ICT is vaster than this. Although it is believed that radio and television play a less important role in education nowadays, some teachers and educators still consider them as an effective means of teaching. However, ICT is a totally new phenomenon; at the very beginning.
"An information society is a society in which the creation, distribution, diffusion, use, integration and manipulation of information is a significant economic, political and cultural activity’ (Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia).
life, I will take aspects of the ICT that I use and I will explain why
ICT have become commonplace entities in all aspects of life. Across the past twenty years the use of ICT has fundamentally transformed the practices and procedures of nearly all forms of exertion within business and governance. Education is a very socially focused activity and quality education has traditionally been connected with strong teachers having high degrees of personal contact with learners. The use of ICT in education lends itself to more student-centred learning settings. But with the world moving swiftly into digital media and information, the role of ICT in education is becoming more and more essential and this importance will continue to grow and develop in the 21st century.