Knowledge Management

Author(s):

Shamin Bodhanya

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Management ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Social Process ◽

Situated Action ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Process Perspective ◽

The Impact ◽

Epistemology Of Action ◽

Organisational Intervention

This chapter demonstrates that despite a plurality of discourses related to knowledge, they are reduced to a single dominant discourse on knowledge management. It draws on systems thinking and complexity theory to reconceptualise organisations as complex adaptive systems within which knowledge ecologies may flourish. The focus thus shifts to knowing in situated action and on knowledge as a dynamic phenomenon. The chapter makes a contribution to strengthening the impact of the epistemology of action and that of a social-process perspective of knowledge. The approach presented has radical implications for knowledge management such that it becomes an enduring organisational intervention as opposed to a management fad. The implications for organisational practice and changes in managerial orientations are shown to be novel offering significant potential towards a second order knowledge management.

Leading the spread and adoption of innovation at scale: an Academic Health Science Network’s perspective

BMJ Leader ◽

10.1136/leader-2020-000252 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. leader-2020-000252

Author(s):

Andrew Walker ◽

Catherine Dale ◽

Natasha Curran ◽

Annette Boaz ◽

Michael V Hurley

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Systems ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Social Process ◽

Health Science ◽

Academic Health ◽

Academic Networks ◽

Adoption Of Innovation ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Operational Issues

BackgroundThere is virtually no limit to the number of innovations being developed, tested and piloted at any one time to improve the quality and safety of care. The perennial problem is spreading innovations that are proven to be effective on a smaller scale or under controlled conditions. Much of the literature on spread refers to the important role played by external agencies in supporting the spread of innovations.Academic Health Science Networks and the spread of innovationExternal agencies can provide additional capacity and capabilities to adopter organisations, such as technical expertise, resources and tools to assist with operational issues. In England, the National Health Service (NHS) established 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) to help accelerate the spread and adoption of innovation in healthcare. However, formal clinical-academic networks (such as AHSNs) themselves will not deliver positive, tangible outcomes on the ground (ie, evidence-based innovations embedded at scale across a system). This begs the question of how do AHSNs practically go about achieving this change successfully? We provide an AHSN’s perspective on how we conceptualise and undertake our work in leading implementation of innovation at scale.An AHSN's perspectiveOur approach is a collaborative process of widening understanding of the innovation and its implementation. At its core, the implementation and spread of innovation into practice is a collective social process. Healthcare comprises complex adaptive systems, where contexts need to be negotiated for implementation to be successful. As AHSNs, we aim to lead this negotiation through facilitating knowledge exchange and production across the system to mobilise the resources and collective action necessary for achieving spread.

Reframing hydrology education to solve coupled human and environmental problems

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions ◽

10.5194/hessd-9-7739-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 7739-7759 ◽

Author(s):

E. G. King ◽

F. C. O'Donnell ◽

K. K. Caylor

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Systems ◽

Earth System ◽

Educational Approach ◽

Dynamic Interactions ◽

Undergraduate Level ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Sustainability Challenges ◽

Problem Solvers ◽

Abstract. The impact of human activity on the biophysical world raises myriad challenges for sustaining earth system processes, ecosystem services, and human societies. To engage in meaningful problem-solving in the hydrosphere, this necessitates an approach that recognizes the coupled nature of human and biophysical systems. We argue that in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, hydrology education should ensure that students develop an appreciation and working familiarity in the context of coupled human-environmental systems. We illustrate how undergraduate-level hydrology assignments can extend beyond rote computations or basic throughput scenarios to include consideration of the dynamic interactions with social and other biophysical dimensions of complex adaptive systems. Such an educational approach not only builds appropriate breadth of dynamic understanding, but can also empower students toward assuming influential and effective roles in solving sustainability challenges.

Analyzing Uncertainty in Complex Socio-Ecological Networks

Entropy ◽

10.3390/e22010123 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 123 ◽

Author(s):

Ana D. Maldonado ◽

María Morales ◽

Pedro A. Aguilera ◽

Antonio Salmerón

Keyword(s):

Bayesian Network ◽

Network Structure ◽

Posterior Distribution ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Bayesian Network Structure ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Lower Entropy ◽

The Impact ◽

Class Variable

Socio-ecological systems are recognized as complex adaptive systems whose multiple interactions might change as a response to external or internal changes. Due to its complexity, the behavior of the system is often uncertain. Bayesian networks provide a sound approach for handling complex domains endowed with uncertainty. The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the Bayesian network structure on the uncertainty of the model, expressed as the Shannon entropy. In particular, three strategies for model structure have been followed: naive Bayes (NB), tree augmented network (TAN) and network with unrestricted structure (GSS). Using these network structures, two experiments are carried out: (1) the impact of the Bayesian network structure on the entropy of the model is assessed and (2) the entropy of the posterior distribution of the class variable obtained from the different structures is compared. The results show that GSS constantly outperforms both NB and TAN when it comes to evaluating the uncertainty of the entire model. On the other hand, NB and TAN yielded lower entropy values of the posterior distribution of the class variable, which makes them preferable when the goal is to carry out predictions.

Managing Adaptability, Intervention, and People in Enterprise Information Systems ◽

A Complex Adaptive Systems-Based Enterprise Knowledge Sharing Model

10.4018/978-1-60960-529-2.ch003 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 35-59

Author(s):

Cynthia T. Small ◽

Andrew P. Sage

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Knowledge Workers ◽

Emergent Behavior ◽

Agent Simulation ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Multi Agent

This paper describes a complex adaptive systems (CAS)-based enterprise knowledge-sharing (KnS) model. The CAS-based enterprise KnS model consists of a CAS-based KnS framework and a multi-agent simulation model. Enterprise knowledge sharing is modeled as the emergent behavior of knowledge workers interacting with the KnS environment and other knowledge workers. The CAS-based enterprise KnS model is developed to aid knowledge management (KM) leadership and other KnS researchers in gaining an enhanced understanding of KnS behavior and its influences. A premise of this research is that a better understanding of KnS influences can result in enhanced decision-making of KnS interventions that can result in improvements in KnS behavior.

A Complex Adaptive Systems-Based Enterprise Knowledge Sharing Model

Connectivity and Knowledge Management in Virtual Organizations ◽

10.4018/978-1-60566-070-7.ch016 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 281-300

Author(s):

Andrew P. Sage ◽

Cynthia T. Small

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Knowledge Workers ◽

Emergent Behavior ◽

Agent Simulation ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Multi Agent

This chapter describes a complex adaptive systems (CAS)-based enterprise knowledge-sharing (KnS) model. The CAS-based enterprise KnS model consists of a CAS-based KnS framework and a multi-agent simulation model. Enterprise knowledge sharing is modeled as the emergent behavior of knowledge workers interacting with the KnS environment and other knowledge workers. The CAS-based enterprise KnS model is developed to aid Knowledge Management (KM) leadership and other KnS researchers in gaining an enhanced understanding of KnS behavior and its influences. A premise of this research is that a better understanding of KnS influences can result in enhanced decision-making of KnS interventions that can result in improvements in KnS behavior.

Decentralization and heterogeneity in complex adaptive systems

Kybernetes ◽

10.1108/k-01-2015-0030 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 44 (6/7) ◽

pp. 1082-1093 ◽

Author(s):

Diego Gonzalez-Rodriguez ◽

Jose Rodolfo Hernandez-Carrion

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Systems ◽

Autonomous Agents ◽

Group Behavior ◽

Content Type ◽

Artificial Society ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Genetic Information Processing ◽

Peer Dynamics ◽

Purpose – Following a bacterial-based modeling approach, the authors want to model and analyze the impact of both decentralization and heterogeneity on group behavior and collective learning. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Inspired by bacterial conjugation, the authors have defined an artificial society in which agents’ strategies adapt to changes in resources location, allowing migration, and survival in a dynamic sugarscape-like scenario. To study the impact of these variables the authors have simulated a scenario in which resources are limited and localized. The authors also have defined three constraints in genetic information processing (inhibition of plasmid conjugation, inhibition of plasmid reproduction and inhibition of plasmid mutation). Findings – The results affirmed the hypothesis that efficiency of group adaptation to dynamic environments is better when societies are varied and distributed than when they are homogeneous and centralized. Originality/value – The authors have demonstrated that in a model based on free interactions among autonomous agents, optimal results emerge by incrementing heterogeneity levels and decentralization of communication structures, leading to a global adaptation of the system. This organic approach to model peer-to-peer dynamics in complex adaptive systems (CAS) is what the authors have named “bacterial-based algorithms” because agents exchange strategic information in the same way that bacteria use conjugation and share genome.

Missed nursing care and complexity theory: a conceptual paper

Journal of Research in Nursing ◽

10.1177/17449871211013073 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174498712110130

Author(s):

Rania Ali Albsoul ◽

Gerard FitzGerald ◽

James A Hughes ◽

Muhammad Ahmed Alshyyab

Keyword(s):

Complexity Theory ◽

Nursing Care ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Nurse Managers ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Missed Care ◽

Missed Nursing Care ◽

Background Missed nursing care is a complex healthcare problem. Extant literature in this area identifies several interventions that can be used in acute hospital settings to minimise the impact of missed nursing care. However, controversy still exists as to the effectiveness of these interventions on reducing the occurrence of missed nursing care. Aim This theoretical paper aimed to provide a conceptual understanding of missed nursing care using complexity theory. Methods The method utilised for this paper is based on a literature review on missed care and complexity theory in healthcare. Results We found that the key virtues of complexity theory relevant to the missed nursing care phenomenon were adaptation and self-organisation, non-linear interactions and history. It is suggested that the complex adaptive systems approach may be more useful for nurse managers to inform and prepare nurses to meet uncertain encounters in their everyday clinical practice and therefore reduce instances of missed care. Conclusions This paper envisions that it is time that methods used to explore missed care changed. Strategies proposed in this paper may have an important impact on the ability of nursing staff to provide quality and innovative healthcare in the modern healthcare system.

A Complex Adaptive Systems-Based Enterprise Knowledge Sharing Model

Information Resources Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-965-1.ch321 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 831-849

Author(s):

Cynthia T. Small ◽

Andrew P. Sage

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Knowledge Management ◽

Knowledge Sharing ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Knowledge Workers ◽

Emergent Behavior ◽

Agent Simulation ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Multi Agent

Risk in Complex Systems

The Dynamics of Risk ◽

10.23943/princeton/9780691165370.003.0002 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 22-43

Author(s):

Louise K. Comfort

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Systems ◽

Dynamic Environment ◽

Social Institutions ◽

Social Construct ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Impact Of Technology ◽

Human Actors ◽

The Impact ◽

Administrative Theory

This chapter discusses the theoretical framework of complex adaptive systems. Risk is a social construct, one created by the human actors who seek to manage a stable world, and who, aware of potential catastrophe, seek to prevent or reduce it. The challenge is how to construct a mode of considering risk holistically, but systematically in a dynamic environment that is prone to recurring hazards. Over decades, inquiry into risk and strategies to manage it have reexamined and redefined risk in relation to changing environments. Three broad themes have shaped this continuing dialogue in administrative theory and public policy. The first theme focuses on the impact of technology on social institutions, and whether changes introduced by advances in technology exceeded human capacity to manage institutions in constructive ways. The second theme focuses on the organization of collective action as a strategy to counter risk. As a third theme, the continuing dialogue addressed the escalating impact of risk on social organizations and institutions.

Reframing hydrology education to solve coupled human and environmental problems

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-16-4023-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (11) ◽

pp. 4023-4031 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

E. G. King ◽

F. C. O'Donnell ◽

K. K. Caylor

Keyword(s):

Adaptive Systems ◽

Earth System ◽

Educational Approach ◽

Dynamic Interactions ◽

Undergraduate Level ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Sustainability Challenges ◽

Problem Solvers ◽

Abstract. The impact of human activity on the biophysical world raises myriad challenges for sustaining Earth system processes, ecosystem services, and human societies. To engage in meaningful problem-solving in the hydrosphere, this necessitates an approach that recognizes the coupled nature of human and biophysical systems. We argue that, in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, hydrology education should ensure that students develop an appreciation and working familiarity in the context of coupled human-environmental systems. We illustrate how undergraduate-level hydrology assignments can extend beyond rote computations or basic throughput scenarios to include consideration of the dynamic interactions with social and other biophysical dimensions of complex adaptive systems. Such an educational approach not only builds appropriate breadth of dynamic understanding, but can also empower students toward assuming influential and effective roles in solving sustainability challenges.