Faculty of Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

The basis for the global momentum of implementing knowledge management is the need to understand the real value of knowledge, to create new management philosophies, standards and practices and to establish new models of success. The subject examines the movement away from the traditional paradigm of 'hoarding knowledge' to a structured approach, which creates the incentive for sharing knowledge and establishes a knowledge management framework. Students are introduced to management initiatives of implementation, technology strategies, planning organisational transformation and a general understanding of the future environment for managing knowledge within the organisation.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand different perspectives on management thinking, knowledge creation processes and decision-making.
2. Identify and understand the benefits, concepts and techniques of knowledge management.
3. Understand the impact upon enterprise stakeholders, organisational design and processes, and organisational culture and relationships of the increasing significance of knowledge.
4. Identify and understand knowledge management infrastructures, implementation strategies and the initiatives to meet different business needs based on creating a knowledge environment that supports business goals and understand the appropriate role of supporting technology.
5. Understand and identify technologies (such as the Internet, Intranets, groupware, and expert systems) that support workflow management and knowledge sharing objectives.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides a foundation for the understanding of organisational knowledge and the application of knowledge management for the Management major and sub major. It contributes to the objectives of the major by focusing on: (i) the fundamentals of knowledge management; (ii) the processes of implementation, which establishes an understanding of the strategies and organisational issues, associated with the development of E-Business management; and (iii) an understanding of the environment for the establishment of E-business relationships.

Teaching and learning strategies

Interactive sessions will include workshop discussions, presenting progress and brief summaries of their case analysis, use of collaborative communication software products. Web based information, communication and feedback will complement group meetings to discuss the content and progress of group work.

Content

• An Introduction to Knowledge Management
• Organisational Strategy and Knowledge
• Organising Knowledge Work Flows
• Designing the Knowledge Infrastructure
• Learning and Sharing Knowledge
• The Reality of Knowledge Management Projects.

Assessment

Online notes and contributions (Individual)	30%
Methodology: Library search; interview or analysis of your own experience. Tasks include writing online notes, UTS online debate and presentations. This proposal allows students to demonstrate that they have met objectives 1 and 2.
Research Report (Individual)	40%
Task: Write a research report (2,000 words maximum). Topic: From a business perspective how can an organisation optimally structure knowledge flow to maximise the impact of knowledge? This proposal allows students to demonstrate that they have met objectives 1 and 5.
Case Study (Group)	30%
Students are required to write one case study report (1,500 words maximum) and present one 15-minute seminar. Present a case analysis of the application of knowledge management in a manufacturing or primary industry company. Methodology: Library search; Internet search, use of collaborative communication software products, interviews and analysis of material. This proposal allows students to demonstrate that they have met objectives 2-4.

Individual essay assessment is subjected to plagiarism detection software. The group assessment task addresses specific questions which vary each semester. Individual logs of contributions are required and the final report is subject to plagiarism detection software.

Recommended text(s)

Housel, T. J. and Bell, A. H. (2001) Measuring and Managing Knowledge, McGraw-Hill.

Davenport, T. H. and Prusak, L. (1998) Working Knowledge, Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.

Rollo,C. and Clarke,T. (2001) International Best Practice: Case Studies in Knowledge Management, Standards Australia, HB 275 Supplement 1.