Knowledge Management

The chapter reviews the definitions of knowledge and distinguishes it from data and information. Different perspectives of knowledge and their implications for knowledge management are also discussed. From this, the concepts of knowledge management are explained, first, in generic terms, second, as a process, and third, on its relevance to construction. The chapter also defines the basic types of knowledge, those that are tacit or explicit and those that relate to the individual or the organization in a collective form. Project knowledge is discussed in the context of construction, including barriers to knowledge management, the shortcomings of current practices, and how the industry is addressing the problems identified. Communication is key to effective knowledge management, and the chapter discusses the importance of knowledge sharing, including the main factors involved when individuals share knowledge, and knowledge communication and its barriers. Specifically, the central role of communication in organizations is emphasized as it is seen as the foundation for most organizational actions. Learning is discussed in two aspects – organizational learning and collaborative learning. The first aspect is dealt with in generic terms, while the second aspect relates mainly to construction projects. The requirements and problems of learning in construction projects is given focus. The chapter also explains the crucial link between knowledge management and innovation since the latter depends on the generation of new ideas or new knowledge that leads to the development of new products or organizational practices. For integration of knowledge among individuals or teams, the pivotal role of information systems is explained. The relevance of knowledge management to SMEs, especially its impact on small businesses, in enabling them to innovate to meet changing demands in an intense competitive environment is also explained. The chapter concludes with a summary of the main points covered on knowledge management.

Author(s):  
Mostafa Sayyadi Ghasabeh

This research contributes to the fields of knowledge management, transformational leadership, as well as information technology. This article presents the theoretical underpinnings of the framework together with a thorough review of the literature. This research indicates that there is a positive relationship between transformational leadership, knowledge management, and firm performance. The synthesis of the literature also lends support for the mediating role of information technology in the relationship between transformational leadership and knowledge management.


Author(s):  
Irma Becerra-Fernandez ◽  
Rajiv Sabherwal

Rapid changes in the field of knowledge management (KM) have to a great extent resulted from the dramatic progress we have witnessed in the field of information and communication technology. ICT allows the movement of information at increasing speeds and efficiencies, and thus facilitates sharing as well as accelerated growth of knowledge. For example, computers capture data from measurements of natural phenomena, and then quickly manipulate the data to better understand the phenomena they represent. Increased computer power at lower prices enables the measurement of increasingly complex processes, which we possibly could only imagine before. Thus, ICT has provided a major impetus for enabling the implementation of KM applications. Moreover, as learning has accrued over time in the area of social and structural mechanisms, such as through mentoring and retreats that enable effective knowledge sharing, it has made it possible to develop KM applications that best leverage these improved mechanisms by deploying sophisticated technologies.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hepu Deng

This paper investigates the role of information and communication technologies in enabling and facilitating the conversion of knowledge objects in knowledge management and explores how these roles might be affected in an organization. Such an investigation is based on a critical analysis of the relationships between data, information and knowledge, leading to the development of a transformation model between data, information and knowledge. Using a multi-method approach, in this paper, the author presents a conceptual framework for effective knowledge management in an organization. The author discusses the implications of the proposed framework for designing and developing knowledge management systems in an organization.


2009 ◽  
pp. 1638-1651
Author(s):  
William R. King

This article provides a conceptual framework and an architecture for an effective knowledge organization (EKO) that emphasizes the important role of information processing in facilitating the creation of a dynamic knowledge capability, which is the essence of an EKO. The architecture links core knowledge management, intellectual property management, organizational learning, and innovation modules with information processing as the hub, or linchpin. The organization’s need to distinguish among these components of an EKO is argued by comparing and contrasting the conceptual bases, objectives, processes, systems, performance measures, and culture of each module. This EKO viewpoint integrates many concepts and applications from various literatures, but it is somewhat contrary to the conventional wisdom that has tended to de-emphasize the significance of information technology in knowledge management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 08002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena V. Karanina ◽  
Olesya A. Ryazanova ◽  
Alexander N. Timin ◽  
Larisa P. Domracheva

The article shows the place and role of economic entities in the system of economic security of territories. Various approaches to the definition of the term “economic security of small businesses” are considered. The main factors and threats to the economic security of economic entities of the territories are presented. Presents the author’s system of basic indicators of estimation of economic safety of economic entities of the territory. Offers on carrying out diagnostics and monitoring of risks are given. Recommendations as a rating of economic security of economic entities of territories are given. The procedure for monitoring the economic security of economic entities of the territories based on a risk-based approach can be represented in the form of five interrelated stages. This is the stage of collecting data on enterprises and the calculation of the necessary indicators. The stage of formation of the system of indicators, they are risk factors. Stage of processing indicators. The stage of building an integrated model of potential and risk assessment. In addition, the final stage of assessment of the complex level of economic security of economic entities of the territories. This will allow making management decisions in the field of development and support of small businesses at the territorial level.


2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 643-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roknuzzaman ◽  
Katsuhiro Umemoto

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to explore library practitioners' views of knowledge management (KM) and its incorporation into library practice.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the review of literature available in secondary sources, and the result of interviews of ten library practitioners worldwide. The respondents are purposively selected from the participants' lists of two international conferences held in 2008. The interviews were conducted through e‐mail using a short, structured, and open‐ended questionnaire.FindingsThe ways of knowing and degrees of understanding of KM concepts among the library practitioners are varied. But the most library practitioners have focused on a shallow perception of KM for its incorporation into library practice – dealing with only explicit information and/or knowledge. This study also finds some of the reasons for responding to KM, e.g. increasing value of knowledge in the knowledge economy, role of information technologies, opportunities for improved library practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited in its scope, conducting interviews of only ten library practitioners worldwide, and hence, generalization may not be derived from the findings.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that library practitioners need to broaden their understanding, change their traditional mindset, and to apply a holistic approach of KM system design and library practice, focusing on both explicit and tacit knowledge.Originality/valueThe paper investigates the original views of library practitioners regarding KM in libraries.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Rechberg ◽  
Jawad Syed

This paper reviews the current knowledge management (KM) practices to examine the attention (or lack thereof) paid to the individual in managing knowledge in organisations. It identifies and reviews four key practices of KM - i.e., information technology, organisational culture and structure, communities of practice, and human resource practices - to examine how knowledge is interpreted, processed and managed, and the role individuals play in such interpretations, processing and management. The review shows that existing KM practices may be improved through an increased focus on the role of individuals (an individual-centric approach) in designing and implementing KM in organisations.


2016 ◽  
pp. 1539-1556
Author(s):  
Isabel Rechberg ◽  
Jawad Syed

This chapter reviews the current knowledge management (KM) practices to examine the attention (or lack thereof) paid to the individual in managing knowledge in organisations. It identifies and reviews four key practices of KM - i.e., information technology, organisational culture and structure, communities of practice, and human resource practices - to examine how knowledge is interpreted, processed and managed, and the role individuals play in such interpretations, processing and management. The review shows that existing KM practices may be improved through an increased focus on the role of individuals (an individual-centric approach) in designing and implementing KM in organisations.


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