Communication Technology and Knowledge Management

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

In recent years, organizations have greatly increased their use of communication technologies to support knowledge management initiatives. These technologies, commonly referred to as knowledge management systems, are adopted in the hope that they will bolster organizations’ access to, and utilization of, knowledge resources. Yet the relationship between communication technology and knowledge management is complicated by ambiguity regarding whether knowledge can be validly captured, stored, and transmitted in an explicit form (as an object) or only exists in applications (as an action). Many scholars argue that reliance on communication technologies for knowledge management aids the ability of organizations to process information, but it has limited benefits for helping individuals gain situated knowledge regarding how best to accomplish work. An alternative view explores the potential of communication technologies to facilitate interaction among knowledgeable actors, which can support ongoing organizational learning. In practice, the use of communication technologies enacts a duality whereby knowledge operates both as an object that organizations and individuals have, and as an applied action that is used to solve situated problems. Numerous theoretical frameworks have been applied to study the relationship between communication technologies and knowledge management, with three of the most prominent being public goods theory, communities of practice, and transactive memory systems theory. Extant research recognizes the diverse ways that communication technologies can support knowledge management practices aimed at either improving the utilization of information in organizations or bolstering opportunities for interpersonal knowledge sharing. Regardless of the position taken regarding the most appropriate and effective ways that communication technology can support knowledge management, organizations hoping to implement knowledge management systems face numerous challenges related to spurring the creation of organizational knowledge, motivating individuals to share knowledge, transferring knowledge among groups, and storing knowledge to allow future retrieval. Furthermore, the breadth and diversity of communication technologies used for knowledge management will continue to expand as organizations explore the potential applications of social media technologies and seek to gain value from increases in available data regarding individuals’ communication and behaviors.

MEASURING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO THE STRATEGIC COMPETITIVENESS OF ORGANIZATIONS: A REVIEW AND A MODEL

International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management ◽

10.1142/s0219877010001854 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 07 (02) ◽

pp. 89-107 ◽

Author(s):

ELIE GEISLER

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Information Systems ◽

Absorptive Capacity ◽

Knowledge Systems ◽

Management Systems ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Intermediate Outcomes ◽

Stage Process ◽

Why and how do Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) contribute to the strategic competitiveness of organizations? This paper reviews the literature and proposes a model in which KMS is viewed from three different perspectives: (1) crucial resource; (2) driver of absorptive capacity; and (3) innovation adopted by the organization. The paper critiques the method used by KMS researchers whereby co-variation of KMS and competitiveness is utilized to study the relationship between these variables. The model proposed here is a multi-stage process. The successful use of KMS generates intermediate outcomes that in turn impact the organization and produces improved strategic competitiveness. The different approaches to KMS and the stage-process allow for the unique attributes of knowledge systems, different from information systems. The advantages and limitations of the model are discussed.

Employees’ acceptance of knowledge management systems and its impact on creating learning organizations

Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal ◽

10.34105/j.kmel.2013.05.032 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 434-454

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Technology Acceptance ◽

Learning Organizations ◽

Management Systems ◽

Future Research ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

South Korean ◽

Before And After ◽

The Creation

Many organizations are eager to become learning organizations that are known to contribute to increased financial performance, innovation, and the retention of workers who possess valuable organizational knowledge. For this reason, knowledge management systems (KMSs) in reality have been utilized as a means to foster the development of learning organizations. However, it remains questionable as to whether or not KMSs have any impact on the creation of learning organizations. Therefore, this study is designed to address this deficit and build a foundation for future research. Situated in theoretical frameworks pertinent to learning organizations and technology acceptance, a total of 327 datasets collected from three South Korean companies revealed that employees’ technology acceptances of KMSs could influence the creation of learning organizations in the workplaces of South Korea. The results showed that using KMSs influenced the development of learning organizations. To maximize the utilization of KMSs, the change management process should not be overlooked before and after the integration of technology.

Knowledge Management Systems

Current Issues in Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-916-8.ch013 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 181-205 ◽

Author(s):

Dick Stenmark ◽

Rikard Lindgren

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Design Theory ◽

Work Practice ◽

Knowledge Work ◽

Critical Issue ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Management Systems ◽

Simple Question ◽

This chapter is motivated by one simple question: Why do so many knowledge management systems (KMS) fail when implemented in organizational knowledge work practice? Indeed, imbalance between the desire for accurate content and the workload required to achieve this still appears to be a critical issue, resulting in KMS of little use for organizational members. Hence, KMS maintenance is an important research subject. With the objective to contribute recommendations for how to integrate KMS with everyday knowledge work, we apply general lessons learned from development of groupware applications as a theoretical lens to analyze empirical experiences of three implemented and evaluated KMS. Theorizing the relationship between the recommendations developed and extant KMS design theory, the chapter offers implications for IS research and practice.

Culture-Free or Culture-Bound? A Boundary Spanning Perspective on Learning in Knowledge Management Systems

Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-933-5.ch273 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 3297-3314

Author(s):

Robert M. Mason

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Boundary Spanning ◽

Management Systems ◽

Cultural Dimension ◽

Evolutionary Changes ◽

Shared Culture ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Conceptual Foundations ◽

Knowledge management systems (KMSs) have been criticized as having a North American bias. The cultural dimension of KMSs, particularly the relationship of learning and culture in KM projects, are rarely discussed. This paper addresses these concerns in a review of the conceptual foundations for KM and by examining implementations of KM projects. Despite the evolutionary changes in how KM is viewed, KMSs, as they have been designed, implemented, and reported, do not appear to provide for cultural diversity among users. Instead, the reports of KMSs indicate that such systems seek to create and maintain a homogeneous organizational culture, and the adoption of such a shared culture appears to be a prerequisite for success. The paper discusses KMSs as systems that exhibit boundary spanning objects and processes in three different categories, and an analysis of reported projects reveals that boundary spanning across national and ethnic boundaries is rare.

Measuring the use of knowledge management systems in supply firms

Measuring Business Excellence ◽

10.1108/mbe-12-2018-0107 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 426-441 ◽

Author(s):

Piera Centobelli ◽

Roberto Cerchione ◽

Emilio Esposito

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Creation ◽

Management Practices ◽

Service Industries ◽

Field Analysis ◽

Management Systems ◽

High Tech ◽

Content Type ◽

Use Of Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to propose a taxonomic scheme of knowledge management systems (KMSs) and a set of technologies and managerial practices supporting supply firms in knowledge management processes. Design/methodology/approach Based on a field analysis involving a sample of suppliers operating in high-tech manufacturing and service industries, this paper investigates the use of KMSs in the sample investigated. Findings The paper shows that suppliers are generally reluctant to use updated and innovative KMSs replacing traditional ones. This gap confirms that suppliers have difficulties in facing rapid technological changes. The field analysis also points out that suppliers investigated perceive knowledge management mainly as an issue of knowledge transfer and knowledge storage while appear to be neglected the phase of knowledge creation. Originality/value Moreover, the paper highlights a misalignment between the intensity of use of knowledge management practices that support the phase of knowledge creation and knowledge management tools that should support such practices.

Ontology-Based Applications for Enterprise Systems and Knowledge Management - Advances in Knowledge Acquisition, Transfer, and Management ◽

Knowledge Management Processes Supported by Ontology Technologies

10.4018/978-1-4666-1993-7.ch007 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 125-140

Author(s):

Alexandra Pomares-Quimbaya ◽

Miguel Eduardo Torres-Moreno

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Management System ◽

Knowledge Management System ◽

Management Systems ◽

Alternative View ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Management Processes ◽

Definition Of ◽

Knowledge Management Processes

Although ontologies have been used in a considerable number of knowledge management projects, in most of them their application has been limited to the definition of a common organizational language. This chapter offers an alternative view on the use of ontologies, supporting all of the knowledge management processes, including generation, acquisition, transference, and integration of knowledge. The focus of this chapter is on presenting how ontologies can be included in knowledge management systems to promote availability of knowledge, knowledge evolution, automatic and semi-automatic knowledge extraction, and integration of heterogeneous sources of information. Each one of these characteristics is supported by ontology technologies including the processes required to engineer and manage an ontology, such as: querying, mapping, and evolution. Finally, the architecture of a proposed knowledge management system that uses ontologies to improve its processes is presented.

Internet Support for Knowledge Management Systems

Knowledge Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-59904-933-5.ch048 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 564-570 ◽

Author(s):

Murray E. Jennex

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Memory Systems ◽

Organizational Memory ◽

Management Systems ◽

The Internet ◽

Knowledge Processes ◽

Information Awareness ◽

Internet Information ◽

Control Knowledge

Organizations are building and maintaining systems for managing organizational knowledge and memory. Users of these systems may not be at the same location; in many cases they are distributed across large geographical distances and multiple offices. Key to this task is developing an infrastructure that facilitates distributed access and utilization of the retained knowledge and memory. Connectivity and easy to use interfaces are main concerns. Jennex (2000) found that using the Internet as a common communications platform (either as an Intranet or an Extranet) and Web browsers as an interface is a viable, low cost solution. Newell, et al. (1999) found that Intranets not only supported distributed knowledge processes but also enhanced users’ abilities to capture and control knowledge. Stenmark (2002) proposes that using a multiple perspective of the Internet— information, awareness, and communication—allows developers to build successful Internet-based knowledge management systems, KMS. This article discusses how the Internet can be effectively used as an infrastructure for knowledge management/organizational memory systems, KMS/OMS.