Managing Information and Knowledge Strategically



Executive Summary5

Introduction7

Situation Analysis8

Intellectual Capital (IC)9

Knowledge Management System (KMS)10

Explicit Knowledge11

Tacit Knowledge11

Proposed KMS12

Goals and Objectives13

Key Components of KMS14

Strategy14

Problem15

Objective/Purpose15

Policy15

System Governance15

Culture16

Actors16

Owner17

Source17

Clients17

Managers17

Enablers17

Boundary Spanners17

Infrastructure18

Facilities18

Equipment18

Repositories18

Instruments18

Software19

Networks19

Functionality19

Logic19

Rules of Business20

Transformation20

Integration20

Customization20

Administration20

Reporting20

Procedures21

Content Management21

Delivery21

Mode21

Interface21

Techniques22

Access Control22

Accessibility22

Personalization22

Content22

Lifespan23

Authoring23

Publishing23

Validation of Source23

Stewardship23

Update and Review23

Security24

Taxonomy24

Catalogue24

Version Control24

Disposal24

Continuous Improvement25

Feedback25

Performance Management25

Review and Audit25

Realization of Benefits25

Conclusion and Recommendations26

Executive Summary

Knowledge has been the key for the business organizations to achieve their goals and objectives, and to sustain in the world of high competitive forces. Due to the development of latest technologies, there have been many changes occurred in the usage of information and knowledge by the companies, over the period of past few years (Longford, 2006). The organizations make every possible attempt to acquire the best resources both in terms of human capital as well as the technology, machinery, etc. However, most of the organizations do not really consider the importance of managing the knowledge or intellectual capital they have acquired. As a result, the companies do not get the complete benefit the knowledge they have.

I have been recently hired as a as a Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) in one of the largest international suppliers of Machinery for Textile Industries. My major aim at this designation is to identify the issues or flaws in the current knowledge management strategies of the company, and to come up with a better solution. During my stay so far in the company, I have conducted a survey and based on its results, I propose a knowledge management system that would align all the management and reporting activities of the company. Although all the departments of the company have teams of dedicated and well trained employees and efficient information systems, there is a lack of integration between the departments which create lack of knowledge sharing and collaboration. Alignment of various company functions would help the management in keeping track of the knowledge generated and shared among the employees.

KMS integrates the various business functions of the company and aims to support the knowledge related tasks and processes of the company. These processes mainly include creating, sharing and delivering knowledge within the departments and between the departments of a company. The major components of KMS include strategy, actors, infrastructure, functionality, delivery, content, and continuous improvement of the system. The proposed system would help the company in making the organizational knowledge centralized, developing collaboration between the departmental knowledge and assign knowledge management responsibilities to certain employees.

Introduction

In today's world of advanced information and communication technologies, knowledge is the key for the business organizations. Over the past few years, the importance of knowledge for the company has increased significantly due to the rise of borderless global economy (Lee, 2002, p.17). It has become mandatory for the business organizations to utilize advanced knowledge management systems and technologies in order to make the most of their resources. I have been recently hired as a Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) in one of the largest international suppliers of Machinery for Textile Industries. The company operates both locally and internationally, has many branches and nearly 200 employees per ...