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1 – 10 of 19Valerie Ratcliffe‐Martin, Elayne Coakes and Gill Sugden
This paper describes some basic concepts of knowledge management, and explains, using these definitions, why universities are not always seats of learning or knowledge sharing. A…
Abstract
This paper describes some basic concepts of knowledge management, and explains, using these definitions, why universities are not always seats of learning or knowledge sharing. A knowledge management programme, initiated by a leading British university, is described. The authors conclude by suggesting that knowledge management tools may be beneficial to supporting academics in their multi‐faceted work. However, time will tell as to the extent to which they can actually share tacit knowledge and enable real organisational learning across cultures in universities.
The purpose of this paper is to indicate and illustrate the potential for use of different types of technologies to support knowledge process in transnational organisations.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to indicate and illustrate the potential for use of different types of technologies to support knowledge process in transnational organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a standard literature review plus illustrations from case organisations to demonstrate the potential applications and value of technology for knowledge sharing.
Findings
Transnational organisations have specific issues relating to space and time, and increasingly virtuality, in their working practices. Technology can assist to alleviate these issues and can provide the organisations with ways to share and distribute knowledge throughout their processes, sites and workforces. Successful knowledge management however, continues to need a sociotechnical approach where the social aspects of knowledge creation, storage and sharing need to be considered alongside the technical. Sociotechnical theory tells us we must importantly consider people, task, process, and environment (both internal and external) when considering how best to implement technology into our organisations.
Research limitations/implications
Case studies that specifically describe the work of transnationals are not common and thus the organisations used as illustrations may be atypical, however we believe this limitation is alleviated by using both a for‐profit and a not‐for‐profit organisation to illustrate the variety of purposes to which technology can be put in transnational organisations.
Originality/value
This paper has major practical implications. It is now common in the knowledge management literature to lower the value of technology for knowledge sharing and to emphasise the human aspects of knowledge sharing. This paper agrees with this perspective but illustrates how technology can be used successfully to assist in the knowledge sharing processes across time, space and virtuality.
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Elayne Coakes, A.D. Amar and Maria Luisa Granados
This paper presents results from a large comprehensive global survey of knowledge management (KM). The question that this paper looks to answer is how a KM strategy can be…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents results from a large comprehensive global survey of knowledge management (KM). The question that this paper looks to answer is how a KM strategy can be developed that will enable its successful management in organisations of many sectors and sizes. In light of the observed developments since the previous knowledge management surveys, the purpose of this paper is to redefine the KM function, and how it should be performed.
Design/methodology/approach
The research instrument was a global online hosted survey answered by nearly 700 participants. Hypotheses on the KM management process in contemporary organisations, emphasising the importance of strategy, cover this work. These hypotheses are tested by a set of questions and supported by the survey responses.
Findings
It is demonstrated that in many organisations technology has failed to have much impact on the way knowledge is transferred and shared.
Research limitations/implications
It should be noted that no control was made over the participants to the survey and no stratification of sampling was made. This means that the results are based on breadth as opposed to depth.
Originality/value
Due to the breadth and depth of this survey, the results reported here provide a global snapshot of how knowledge is currently being managed across nations, organisations and various forms of KM function. The findings should be of great use to both practitioners and academics.
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Thomas Herrmann, Kai‐Uwe Loser and Isa Jahnke
The purpose of this research is to show that for the successful development of socio‐technical systems it is essential that various stakeholders are able to integrate their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to show that for the successful development of socio‐technical systems it is essential that various stakeholders are able to integrate their different knowledge and perspectives. A method that supports knowledge integration in the course of introduction and development of socio‐technical systems is the Socio‐technical Walkthrough (STWT). The paper describes the characteristics of the STWT method and the potential to support knowledge integration.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical approach of the STWT is closely related to the notion of socio‐technical systems. Starting with the historical development of this term, the authors saw the necessity to adopt elements of newer system theory so as to achieve a better understanding of the conditions under which a social system and a technical system can be integrated. Based on two empirical case studies (university library/logistic enterprise goes Web) the authors show empirical evidence, that the STWT is especially suitable when supporting certain kinds of knowledge integration.
Findings
The STWT is a method which is flexible and has the ability to integrate different viewpoints, to document the results of this integration, and to promote the development of a socio‐technical system which follows common design principles. Using two empirical case studies, the authors derived a list of categories which characterize the knowledge which should be integrated when a socio‐technical system is developed (e.g. agreements concerning the usage of a software system). Those elements of the STWT method which have a positive effect on knowledge integration are highlighted (e.g. continuously combining communication processes and graphical documentations).
Originality/value
Further research is necessary so as to understand how the exchange of knowledge and its integration takes place during workshops to design sociotechnical systems and how the methods can be improved and become more reliable. There also has to be a better understanding of the effect of different kinds of diagrammatic representations and the ways to refer to the representations during an STWT.
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Elayne Coakes, Kim Merchant and Brian Lehaney
Expert systems have become the more acceptable face of the much mooted “artificial intelligence” of the 1980s. A survey of UK organizations was undertaken in order to determine…
Abstract
Expert systems have become the more acceptable face of the much mooted “artificial intelligence” of the 1980s. A survey of UK organizations was undertaken in order to determine the usage rate and the main applications of expert systems. The responses indicate that very little use is being made of the available technology, and that where expert systems are used, they are often utilized in routine roles. Interviews were carried out with 12 high‐level managers in medium and large organizations to ascertain the possible results of poor or little use of expert systems and why organizations are reluctant to use them. The consensus is that, on a global scale, UK firms may lose sustained competitive advantage if they do not make the best use of the technology available.
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The purpose of this paper is to propose that a form of communities of practice (CoP), a community of innovation (CoInv), is the best support for sustainable innovation. It aims to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose that a form of communities of practice (CoP), a community of innovation (CoInv), is the best support for sustainable innovation. It aims to outline a method for identifying champions of innovation in organisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on extant research to argue that innovation is facilitated and supported by innovation champions, who have most influence outside traditional organisational structures when they are members of a close‐knit community – a CoInv. A potential method for identification of champions of innovation is highlighted.
Findings
Innovation champions are special people, with particular personality types and psychological profiles. In order to succeed in championing innovations in organisations they need both procedural and resource support, and social and cognitive support. The influence of innovation champions comes through social contacts, multiplied through the communities in which they participate, through the genuine esteem in which they are held. Developing CoInv around such champions makes practical sense for organisations.
Originality/value
Identifying champions of innovation will permit a CoInv to form that links social networks and transcends organisational internal boundaries and forming such a community will potentially trigger more successfully supported innovations.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis and review of the sociotechnical approach as a result of analysis of experiences with the introduction of ICT in higher…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis and review of the sociotechnical approach as a result of analysis of experiences with the introduction of ICT in higher education
Design/methodology/approach
The experiences of the author with the creation of special web sites in palaeography are analysed paying special attention to knowledge construction and development at three different levels: individual, community, and organisation (society). The results are compared with those from the concept of communities of practice.
Findings
There is a need for the introduction of a new element in the SECI cycle and the introduction of a new element in the scheme for a sociotechnical approach.
Research limitations/implications
The findings need further experimentation in order to discover any validity for the knowledge management field in relation to the concept of communities of practice.
Practical implications
The use of the scheme for the sociotechnical approach could help in the planning and implementation of information systems in a variety of situations.
Originality/value
The paper introduces new elements to be considered for the application of the sociotechnical approach and for the construction of information systems in corporations and organisations.
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Gregor McKelvie, Fefie Dotsika and Keith Patrick
The purpose of this paper is to follow the planning and development of MapaWiki, a Knowledge Management System for Mapa, an independent research company that specialises in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to follow the planning and development of MapaWiki, a Knowledge Management System for Mapa, an independent research company that specialises in competitor benchmarking. Starting with the standard requirements to capture, store and share information and knowledge, a system was sought that would allow growth and expansion whilst supporting the quick and easy recording and maintenance of interactions between employees.
Design/methodology/approach
Trying to identify the optimum KM solution, the social and technical systems within the organisation cooperated in the investigation of different approaches and in the system's design and development. From the case study perspective the Yin (1994) approach was adopted as a framing and guiding schema. This was further shaped through the action research aspect, involving problem‐solving and generating new knowledge and awareness. The solution selection methodology followed was based on the framework proposed by Despres and Chauvel (1999).
Findings
The application of MapaWiki as a KM system has been very successful. It has already become the central tool for collaboration within the company as well as the central knowledge repository where users add comments and suggestions to articles related to product development, meetings minutes, conference notes etc.
Originality/value
This case study has highlighted the underlying power of the wiki concept and has shown how it can be extended substantially from its original use, typically a notice board or brainstorming tool. Our example demonstrates an interactive collaborative environment that allows for the capture, storage, and sharing of information, knowledge and knowledge sharing practice, that has improved efficiency and the adoption of good practices.
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Maria L. Granados, Vlatka Hlupic, Elayne Coakes and Souad Mohamed
The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed analysis of the social enterprises (SE) and social entrepreneurship (SEship) literature that has been published in international…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed analysis of the social enterprises (SE) and social entrepreneurship (SEship) literature that has been published in international journals from 1991 to 2010, determining the intellectual structure of both fields and their maturity as academic fields of study.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative methodology for literature study, named bibliometric analysis, relevant papers were obtained from three important international databases, and SE and SEship journals. An initial number of 1,343 records were identified and, after applying various filters, a total of 286 papers were studied for bibliometric indicators and epistemological orientation.
Findings
The study identified a significant increase in the scholarly investigation of SE and SEship in recent years, together with greater collaboration and international research. It was demonstrated that some countries are dominating the SE and SEship research area, such as the UK and the USA, whereas institutional and individual research output is spread more equally. Currently, no author or institution dominates the SE and SEship literature. The epistemological orientation suggests that the published literature is largely of a theoretical and descriptive nature in both fields, with only a small number of predictive papers.
Originality/value
This paper provides important contributions. First, it presents an intellectual structure of SE and SEship as a discipline. Second, it determines the current maturity of the field based on its epistemological orientation, concluding that SE and SEship are maturing, with theory development followed by empirical testing and validation generating an increase in consensus on the boundaries of the field.
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