Week 1 (Disc) BUSI Knowledge Management
Knowledge Sharing Environments
Collison and Parcel state: “It’s difficult to manage knowledge, but you can create and nurture the environment for knowledge sharing to flourish.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement and why? What are some tools or processes to implement to create a flourishing environment?
With these thoughts in mind Post a statement (no less than 300 words) that expresses your thoughts.
Resources that are to be used for this
* Course Text: Collison, C., & Parcell, G. Learning to fly: Practical knowledge management from leading and learning organizations(Updated ed. with free CD-ROM). West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Limited/Capstone Publishing Limited.
o Chapter 1, “Setting the Context”
Chapter 1 provides an overview of knowledge management, which sets the context and framework for the rest of the book. The chapter explains how learning before, during, and after performing any task is an imperative of knowledge management.
Focus on the overview of the chapter and the case study. Together, these two sections describe the relevance of knowledge management in today’s context.
o Chapter 2, “What Is Knowledge Management?”
Chapter 2 exemplifies knowledge management and helps you distinguish between tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge. In addition, the chapter describes the factors required to create an environment for perpetuation of knowledge.
Focus on knowledge management as a hybrid discipline and on activities that help manage knowledge.
o Chapter 3, “The Holistic Model—It’s More Than the Sum of the Parts”
Chapter 3 refers to knowledge management as a comprehensive subject and provides a holistic model that helps improve understanding. The chapter also explains how to apply the model consistently and use all parts of the model for knowledge management.
Focus on learning before, during, and after performing a task in order to understand the holistic model of knowledge management.
o Chapter 4, “Getting the Environment Right”
Chapter 4 emphasizes the creation of a conducive and corroborative ambience for sharing knowledge. The various challenges associated with creating an environment for flow of knowledge are described. In addition, you can see how peer processes can be used to improve knowledge sharing.
Focus on the community approach in knowledge sharing and on managing changes in order to continue the flow of knowledge in different situations.
o Chapter 5, “Getting Started—Just Do It”
Chapter 5 provides guidelines for beginning work. The chapter explains that it is important to conduct research before starting work on an assignment or a project. Learning can be derived from doing, and planning and reviewing your work is extremely important.
Focus on the summary and go through the contents of the “Learning to Fly” CD-ROM provided with the course text to understand the role of a knowledge manager.
* Articles
o Bixler, C. (2002). Applying the four pillars of knowledge management. KM World, 11(1). (see attached)
The article highlights the importance of effective knowledge management. The four pillars of enterprise engineering—leadership, organization, technology, and learning—are described and their use in knowledge management is explained.
o Knapp, E. M. (1998). Knowledge management. Business and Economic Review, 44(4), 3–6. (see attached)
