57087 Knowledge Management and the Organisation

UTS: Communication
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

Knowledge, viewed from a range of perspectives, is a core asset for organisations. This subject explores notions of information and knowledge and provides a critical overview of the definitions, concepts transdisciplinary nature and professional practice of knowledge management. While the Australian Standard in Knowledge Management (2006) frames the subject, a wide range of frameworks and models of knowledge management are introduced. Students examine a variety of ways that knowledge management has been adopted and developed in different types of organisations. Students are introduced to techniques for examining the internal and external information and knowledge environments. From this they explore the drivers, core knowledge elements (people, processes, technology and content) and the human and social dimensions of generating, communicating and using knowledge. Students gain an understanding of the knowledge components of organisational processes and cultures; and the role of the information/ knowledge professional in knowledge based organisations. The value of knowledge within organisations is explored via knowledge management case studies.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the conclusion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

identify, discuss and explain the different concepts and approaches within knowledge management
discuss the background to and significance of knowledge management
explain an approach for understanding and analysing the knowledge environment of an organisation
distinguish between the role and significance of key elements and enablers of knowledge management including people, content , process and technology
demonstrate an understanding of the human characteristics of generating, communicating and using knowledge
identify how knowledge management can strengthen and support the achievement of the strategic objectives of specific organisations
identify the roles for the information/ knowledge professional within a knowledge-focused organisation.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject provides students with an understanding of information and knowledge within organisational contexts. It explains how organisational environments can be enabled to maximise the creation, sharing and use of knowledge to achieve organisational outcomes and learning.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is structured to provide a varied learning environment in which students are stimulated to explore the area of knowledge management and apply it to practical situations. Students may be involved in lectures, seminars with industry guests, online discussions and tutorial activities. Tutorial activities support the content by encouraging student learning through active participation with other students. Both individual and group work is expected. Students will be introduced to knowledge management principles via case studies.

Content

The content is divided into three themes:

Introducing knowledge management:
This theme considers the nature of information and knowledge within organisations and society. The context in which knowledge management has arisen, the social dynamics which characterises it, the activities that have been included in it, the fundamental forces that are driving its development and the implications for organisations and for information/knowledge professionals. Also included are discussion of the trans disciplinary nature, core concepts and debates within knowledge management. Concepts such as knowledge and information ecology, the learning organisation, complexity and innovation in organisations will be introduced.
Understanding knowledge in the organisation:
This theme considers frameworks and models of knowledge management and outlines the ideas and methodologies of the Australian Standard in Knowledge Management (2006). The map-build operationalise cycle and the knowledge eco-system are explained as core components of knowledge within organisations. Some techniques for mapping and understanding knowledge environments are introduced to develop understanding of drivers, context and knowledge processes within an organisation in terms of organisational learning and outcomes.
Knowledge management in action:
This theme provides an overview of knowledge management implementation and sustainability by considering the core knowledge elements of people, process, technology and content, as well as the human and social dimensions of generating, communicating and using knowledge. Enablers of knowledge are introduced. The potential for knowledge management in organisations – contributions to strategic planning, foresight and decision-making, intellectual capital and management perspectives are included. Knowledge management in different organisational contexts will be explored.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Knowledge management in context

Objective(s):	a, b, f
Weighting:	30%
Length:	2,000 words maximum
Task:	Research, synthesise and review the characteristics of the knowledge environment and the concept/s of knowledge management in a specific industry sector or organisational context.
Assessment criteria:	Demonstrated ability to: Analyse, and synthesise a range of viewpoints about knowledge and knowledge management Identify current discussions and debates within knowledge management and its related disciplines Understand the characteristics of a knowledge environment/ecosystem Articulate the potential benefits and challenges of a knowledge management approach within a specific industry /organisational sector Synthesise and analyse relevant and current knowledge management case studies Research, engage with and correctly acknowledge a wide range of information sources

Assessment item 2: Issues and debates in knowledge management

Objective(s):	a, e, f, g
Weighting:	30%
Length:	1,500 words maximum
Task:	This assignments is in two parts: Actively participate in an online group discussion Submission of an individual discussion paper of 1,500 words.
Assessment criteria:	Demonstrated ability to: Collaborate with colleagues in a virtual space by contributing ideas and research Actively participate via comment and synthesis to a group discussion in virtual space Comment on current discussions and debates within knowledge management Show evidence of reflective thought Identify issues and challenges for information and knowledge professionals Engage with and correctly acknowledge current (2002+) professional and academic literature

Assessment item 3: Understanding the knowledge environment (NOTE : students enrolled in 57128 complete PART A only)

Objective(s):	c,d, f
Weighting:	40%
Length:	3,500 words maximum
Task:	Students will be required to consider an organisational scenario and prepare a report outlining the findings of a preliminary analysis of the knowledge environment. This analysis will use recognised methods and report on primarily the strategic knowledge environment. The report will also include indicative proposals for actioning knowledge management.
Assessment criteria:	Demonstrated ability to: Analyse an organisation, its context and strategy from a knowledge perspective Develop a holistic overview of knowledge elements such as people and culture, processes, technology and content and resources, processes, culture and their interrelationships. Define the characteristics of a desirable knowledge environment to maximise the use of knowledge to achieve organisational learning and outcomes Understand techniques for implementing a knowledge audit/ analysis of an knowledge environment Analyse the characteristics of the knowledge elements and enablers most critical to the strategic context and performance of an organisation Engage with and correctly acknowledge a range of ideas, people and academic /professional literature Prepare a clear and concise report suitable for an executive audience.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

The following resources are available from the UTS library. Articles are generally available via access to the library's online databases or as an item on e-Reserve.

It is expected that students read widely and actively research materials beyond this list. Further readings will be provided during the semester.

Essential resources:

Standards Australia International (2005) Australian standard in knowledge management: AS 5037-2005. Sydney: SAI (available free of charge via UTS Library site – Databases – Standards Online)

Overview /background (just some standard texts – as a starting point)
Allee, V (2003) The Future of Knowledge: Increasing Prosperity through Value Networks. London: Butterworth-Heinemann
Abell, A (2001) Competing with knowledge: the information professional in the information age, London: Library Association Publishing.
British Standards Institute (2003) Managing culture and knowledge: a guide to good practice (PD 7501). London, BSI.
Burton-Jones A. (1999) Knowledge capitalism: business, work and learning in the new economy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Davenport T. and Prusak L. (1998) Working knowledge: how organisations manage what they know. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Despres, C and Chauvel, D (2000) Knowledge horizons: the present and the promise of knowledge management. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Hasan, H and Handzic, M (2003) Australian studies in knowledge management, Wollongong, University of Wollongong Press.
Laszlo, C (2005) The Sustainable Company: How to Create Lasting Value Through Social & Environmental Performance. Washington: Island Press
MacMorrow, N (2001)'Knowledge management: an introduction', Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST), 35:381 – 422.
Nonaka, I. and Takeuchi, H. (1995) The knowledge-creating company. New York: Oxford University Press.
Nonaka I. and Nishiguchi T. eds (2001) Knowledge emergence: social, technical and evolutionary dimensions of knowledge creation, New York: Oxford University Press.
Rylatt, A (2003) Winning the knowledge game, Sydney, MacGraw Hill.
Sbarcea, K ed (2002) Rethinking knowledge Chatswood, NSW: LexisNexis
Snowden, D (2000) 'Organic knowledge management: Part 1. The ASHEN model: an enabler of action', Knowledge Management, 3(7): 14-17
Stankosky, M. ed. (2005) Creating the discipline of knowledge management: the latest in university research. Boston: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Stewart, T (2001) The wealth of knowledge: intellectual capital and the twenty-first century organization, New York: Currency.
Analysing the knowledge environment
Buchanan, S and Gibb F (1998) 'The information audit: an integrated strategic approach', International Journal of Information Management 18(1): 29-47.
Bronte-Stewart, M. (1999) 'Regarding rich pictures as tools for communication in information systems development', Computing and Information Systems 6(2):83-102
Checkland, P (1999) Soft systems methodology: a 30-year. Chichester: John Wiley.
Di Mattia, S and Blumenstein, L (2000) 'In search of the information audit: essential tool or cumbersome process?' Library Journal 125(4):48-50.
Grey, D (1999) Knowledge mapping: a practical overview. Available from www.smithweaversmith.com/knowledg2.htm
Henczel, S (2001) 'The information audit as a first step towards effective knowledge management', Information Outlook, 5(6): 49-62.
Henczel, S (2001) The Information Audit: a practical guide. Munich: Saur.
Horton F.W (1989) 'Mapping corporate information resources' (part 1), International Journal of Information Management, 8:249-254.
Horton F.W (1989) 'Mapping corporate information resources' (part 2), International Journal of Information Management, 9:19-24.
Horton F.W (1989) 'Mapping corporate information resources' (part 3), International Journal of Information Management, 9:91-95.
Hylton, A (2003) 'Why the Knowledge Audit is in danger', Available at: www.annhylton.com/siteContents/online-store/ka-paper-info/WhyKauditinDanger.pdf
Liebowitz , J. (2000) Building organizational intelligence : a knowledge management primer. Boca Raton, Fla. : CRC Press.
Orna, E (1999) Practical information policies, 2nd ed. Aldershot: Gower. (esp chpt 4 information auditing)
Orna, E (2004) Information strategy in practice. Aldershot, Hants, England: Gower, 2004.
Stevens, L. (2000) 'Knowing what your company knows', Available at:
www.destinationKM.com/articles/default.asp?articleid=613 Accessed 13/04/04
Vail, E.F. (1999) 'Knowledge mapping: getting started with knowledge management', Information Systems Management, 16(4):16-23
White, D. ed (2002) Knowledge mapping and management. Hershey, PA: IRM Press.
Case studies (collections only – use journals for more recent case studies)
Abell, A (2001) Competing with knowledge: the information professional in the information age, London: library Association Publishing. (esp part 4 p.179-)
Armbrecht F.M.R. et al (2001) 'Knowledge management in research and development', Research and Technology Management, July-August: 28-48
Business Excellence Australia 2003 Case studies in knowledge management volume 2 (BEA 007-2003), Sydney, Standards Australia International.
Collison, C and Parcell, G (2001) Learning to fly: practical lessons from one of the world's leading knowledge companies. Milford, CT: Capstone Publishing
Jennex, M. ed (2005) Case studies in knowledge management. Hershey PA: Idea Group Pub.
Mertins, K., Heisig, P., and Vorbeck, J eds (2003) Knowledge management: concepts and best practices. New York: Springer.
Standards Australia (2001) International best practice-case studies in knowledge management. (HB 275 Supplement 1-2001) Sydney, Aust: Standards Australia
Standards Australia International (2002) Case studies in knowledge management volume 1 (HB 165-2002), Sydney, Standards Australia International.
Report writing
For resources to assist with writing for business and report writing see items listed in the library under the subject headings: Business Report Writing, Business Communication.

Contact