Application Cases in Business

This chapter concentrates on knowledge-flow visualization and analysis in the for-profit business sector. We look first at an advanced-technology company involved with new-product development. The discussion turns then to examine an independent production company involved with a feature film. The third case involves a technology-transfer project between a university and a microelectronics company. In each case, we draw from secondary data sources for background. This should prove helpful to the reader who is interested in following up to consider more details than presented in this volume. We draw also from our own research and professional experience to fill in missing information, and we apply principles and techniques of this book to contribute new insights through examination of knowledge flows in the cases. Each application case concludes with exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Knowing and Learning

This chapter discusses the concept knowing, which involves knowledge in action, and learning, which involves knowledge in motion. We look first at knowing and learning in the organization and then examine the tension between learning and doing. The discussion then turns to dynamic interaction between knowledge-enabled action and potential. The chapter concludes with five knowing and learning principles and includes exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Application Cases in Government

This chapter concentrates on knowledge-flow visualization and analysis in the public sector. We look first at a military organization involved with maritime warfare. The discussion turns then to examine a federal government agency involved with a knowledge management program. The third case examines a public service organization involved with large-scale IT integration. In each case, we draw from secondary data sources for background. This should prove helpful to the reader who is interested in following up to consider more details than presented in this volume. We also draw from our own research and professional experience to fill in missing information, and we apply principles and techniques of this book to contribute new insights through examination of knowledge flows in the cases. Each application case concludes with exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Knowledge Flow

This chapter focuses phenomenologically on the dynamics of knowledge flows. We look first at the organizational processes responsible for knowledge flows and then discuss knowledge-flow patterns. The discussion then turns to examining interactions between knowledge flows and workflows, in addition to timing and obstacles of dynamic knowledge. The chapter concludes with five knowledge-flow principles and includes exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Knowledge Uniqueness

This chapter focuses on how flows of knowledge differ from flows of information and data. It also outlines where such differences are important. We look first at the concept knowledge hierarchy and then discuss at a high level the role of information technology in knowledge management projects. The discussion then turns to examine knowledge explicitness. The chapter concludes with five knowledge uniqueness principles, including exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Assessing Knowledge-Flow Performance

This chapter focuses on assessing organizational performance with respect to knowledge flows. We look first at several theoretical and practical bases for assessment and then discuss both knowledge value analysis and learning curves in some detail, including examples for illustration. The discussion then turns to examine computational modeling of knowledge flows, which includes a detailed example for practical illustration. The chapter concludes with five knowledge-flow assessment principles and includes exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Knowledge Technology

This chapter surveys several classes of technologies and indicates which kinds of knowledge flows are enabled and supported relatively better and worse by such technologies. We look first at common problems associated with the most prevalent and prominent KM technologies and then discuss interactions between such technologies and the knowledge life cycle. The discussion then turns to examine expert systems technology, which addresses knowledge directly. This is followed by a discussion of simulation technology, which enables the development of tacit knowledge through practice in virtual environments. The chapter concludes with five knowledge technology principles and includes exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Forward!

This chapter includes guidance for learning from the book and for continuing to develop new knowledge about principled organizational knowing and learning. We first summarize the principles developed in Section I of the book. The discussion turns then to applying such principles to harness knowledge dynamics in your organization. We summarize in turn the leadership mandates induced in Section II of the book. The chapter concludes with our outline of the critical research agenda in the area of knowledge flows and principled organizational knowing and learning.

Knowledge Power

This chapter focuses on how the power of dynamic knowledge can be harnessed. We look first at how knowledge enables competitive advantage and then discuss the nature of knowledge flows. The chapter concludes with five knowledge power principles and includes exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.

Application Cases in Non-Profits

This chapter concentrates on knowledge-flow diagnosis and intervention in the private, not-for-profit sector. We look first at a national youth soccer organization. The discussion turns then to examine a local tennis club. The final case examines a nondenominational community church. In each case, we draw in part from secondary data sources for the background. This should prove helpful to the reader who is interested in following up to consider more details than presented in this volume. Here we also draw considerably from our own research and personal experience to fill in missing information, and we apply principles and techniques of this book to contribute new insights through examination of knowledge flows in the cases. Each application case concludes with exercises to stimulate critical thought, learning, and discussion.