INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Information and Knowledge Management

Contents

Introduction2

Strategic Information Needs2

Strategic Information System3

Key business processes in the fashion business3

Managing these Business Processes at Gucci4

The Agile Supply Chain of Gucci4

E-Business5

E-Business at Gucci6

Importance of Customer Relationship6

Customer Relationship at Gucci7

Knowledge Management8

Knowledge Management at Gucci8

Conclusion9

Information and Knowledge Management (IKM)

Introduction

Gucci is an Italian fashion and leather goods brand. The company started its operations in the year 1921 when its founder Guccio Gucci opened a leather goods company (Gucci, 2012). The inspiration for this brand came from London where the founder was working in a hotel. When he returned to Italy, his main objective was to match his class with the skills of his native Italy.

Gucci carried on with the vision of strengthening the values upon which its reputation has been founded since its inception 90 years ago: exclusivity, quality, made in Italy, Italian craftsmanship, and fashion authority. The uniqueness in the Gucci brand is that they are able to position their brand in a way that has paired modernity with heritage, innovation with craftsmanship and trendsetting with sophistication.

Gucci makes and markets high-end luxury goods items, including ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, watches, jewelry, ties and scarves, fragrances, cosmetics and skincare products. The greatest strengths of the company lie in their broad range of products (PPR, 2005, 23).

Strategic Information Needs

In today's market, the information has appeared as a means of driving competition in the business world. Many enterprises are using information systems to successfully assess their business objectives and needs. The role of Information technology in the business world has broadened its horizon from simple calculations to managing the whole work of the business.

The need for a strategic information network is very essential for Gucci as they have to maintain their brand image and name. The wide range of products, their manufacturing, their quality, their distribution and then their marketing. All these activities have to be performed while maintaining the image and name of the brand that Gucci is itself. The people expect a lot of things when they are making the purchase from the Gucci store. To make sure that the expectations of the people are met accordingly it is very important that a proper information system is present which can manage the whole activities of the company.

That is why Gucci has designed an information system that helps them manage their business activities that start from procurement to manufacturing and then to marketing to purchasing and then the post purchase behavior of the customer around the world. This helps them keep track of various activities that are taking place in the company. They help them in managing their customer relationship, procurement processes, human resource performances and many other activities are controlled through the information system.

Strategic Information System

The information system that Gucci is using is very advanced and caters to the need of its worldwide business activities. The system is a very comprehensive one, and it deals from the perspective of everyone. It manages several activities in a way that a lot of individual work is managed quite ...