Need for Ding Knowledge Management - Assignment Example

KMS (Name) (University) KMS Question 1: Need for doing knowledge management The concept of knowledge management has been present in human organizations for a long period with individuals partaking in activities that contribute to the production of knowledge. This function, however, has been carried out in an informal setting where the particular notion and nature of knowledge is not known or observed. There is an actual need for knowledge management as it intervenes in business processes and outcomes to improve the organizational effectiveness. The immediate intention of knowledge management is to improve the processing of knowledge. These improvements go to generate further solutions that are greater in quality and consequently enhance worker effectiveness. Additionally, work performance needs to be evaluated in order to recognize the contributions of interventions provided to the quality of the processing of knowledge and the outcome of knowledge (Firestone & McElroy 2005). Knowledge management is based on a set of processes that are out to transform the current outline of the organization’s processing of knowledge so as to better the organization and also better its outcomes. A function of knowledge management that is distinct is one that has the exact goals of enhancing the organization’s outcomes or contributing to the process that initiates effective results. The management of knowledge does not directly impact on management in an organization. It no more than affects the processes of knowledge which in turn affect the outcomes. Knowledge management aids in the formulation of strategies, policies and innovations of an organization. The integrating of knowledge then assists in implementing the strategies and policies initiated into the operational processes (Firestone & McElroy 2005). As a result the business experiences positive outcomes such as profitability increased market share and general growth of the organization. It is thus vital to possess a distinct understanding of the nature of knowledge management and its processes in order to practice it correctly in the organization’s environment. Question 2: Firestone & McElroy (2005) establish a three-tier framework to explain knowledge management processes occurring within complex adaptive organizational systems. These systems are characterized by problem-solving, continuous learning and non-deterministic autonomous agents’ interactions that produce emergent phenomena. The framework provides individual distinctions as well as the relationship between the knowledge management environment, knowledge processing environment and business processing environment. KM, in their argument, does not directly create, integrate or manage organizational knowledge outcomes but implicates on the knowledge processes, consequently, impacting on knowledge outcomes. On the other hand, these outcomes impact on the business processes, hence, business outcome. In retrospect, this section examines the business processes and business outcomes established in the article. Knowledge processing environment outcomes include business strategies, organization models changes and strategies, business processes, product strategies, marketing strategies and HR strategies. All these outcomes when effectively managed in the business processes tier are imperative in the generation of positive outcome reflected through high profitability, market share, growth, high ethical standards and business sustainability outcomes. Quality business strategies are essential in contributing to the positive outcome of business processes. The formulation of these strategies relies on successful knowledge management processes. Planning, acting, monitoring and behavior evaluation form part of the Decision Execution Cycle (DEC) needed in the formulation of various business strategies. Additionally, different organizational models implicate on the overall business outcomes. These models, considering knowledge management processes involved, may require various changes in order to improve on knowledge management outcomes. Firestone & McElroy (2005) further observe that production of actions is mostly decision- guided. Complex adaptive organizational systems are made up strategic decision-making processes and implementation of action based on the available knowledge assets. As such effective decision making in business processes strategies, product strategies and marketing strategies are key to improving organizational knowledge management outcome. HR strategies, on the other hand, are imperative in the retention and transfer of tacit knowledge. Various HR policies are mostly inclined towards fostering the transfer of knowledge to new employees from the old employees, or the strategic use of training models in enhancing knowledge transfer. Effective knowledge management strategies would generate a positive outcome. To begin with, well planned and implemented business, product and marketing strategies would go a long way into improving business profitability by maximizing incomes (Becerra-Fernandez & Sabherwal, 2014). Mostly, this is done through strategic research into both the internal and external environment and designing competitive advantage strategies that following implementations improve related outcome. Additionally, effective market strategies formulated under through the knowledge management processes would contribute to the improvement of market share positions. In effect, effective marketing would increase the available content percentages about the business products and services hence attracting more customer attention. Effective organizational models enhance organizational growth and adherence to required ethical standards, which have positive impacts on the organizational outcome (Jeston & Nelis, 2014). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of knowledge management processes, the effectiveness of the organizational models in facilitating growth and ethical standards could be observed. Furthermore, an effective business processing environment would positively contribute to the sustainability of business by using available knowledge assets in improving long-term business outcome (Firestone & McElroy, 2005) Going by Firestone & McElroy (2005) postulation that Knowledge Management entails processes aimed at changing current organizational patterns to improve outcomes, the business processes effectiveness would be evaluated against the expected outcomes. In conducting monitoring and evaluation, the business processes outcomes would be evaluated against the degrees in which they match the decisions expectations. In cases of mismatches, the seriousness would be evaluated against the evaluative and factual perspectives. This evaluation model improves knowledge management efficiency and effectiveness by recommending knowledge management business processes changes or adhering to reliable business processes. Conclusively, the business processes involved in the three tier framework established by Firestone and McElroy are essential in improving the overall knowledge management outcome in the business processing environment. They provide outcomes against which the processes effectiveness could be evaluated. Question 3: Authors Study Addresses the Importance of doing Knowledge Management Research Knowledge management (KM) has been characterized by a lot of confusion (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). Essentially, its conceptual foundations are much attributed to the way it impacts to its functionality in a specialized organization. The term knowledge management is best defined when it is in its functionality. Various organizations aim at utilizing the knowledge of their workers at various organizations so as to realize best results. Doing research in the KM filled is attributed to a lot of strains and other factors that hinder knowledge management research. This has been caused by some of the individuals who proclaim they are knowledgeable than others. As such, various researchers doing research on KM base on secondary data in developing their findings and analysis. However, the study by Firestone & McElroy (2005) addresses the importance of doing Knowledge Management research. Some of the points that prove that the authors addressed the importance of doing Knowledge Management research include but not limited to the following. Firstly, the authors emphasize on doing knowledge management research to help curb people who proclaim they are Knowledge Management practitioners (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). This people have led to increased confusion since it becomes difficult to understand the real meaning of the term KM. as a result, only research based on both primary and secondary data will help in determining the true meaning of the term knowledge management. In the whole study, the authors addressed the importance of doing research in this field since it will help to reduce confusion. Secondly, the authors emphasized in doing research in the Knowledge Management field since it will help in implementing accurate KM strategies in various enterprises (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). There are some of the organizations that requires proper KM practitioners to offer the services to the clients. Consequently, further research will help establish the correct measuring standpoints that can be used in determining the correct personnel to be determined as the best KM practitioners. For instance, Health Care sector is a most critical sector that requires proper KM management personnel. It is, therefore, necessary to do a lot of research in the KM sector so as to determine the correct KM practitioners to hire for health care services (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). Thirdly, doing research in the KM field will help deliver concrete and incremental solutions and other benefits of proper KM strategies (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). The authors emphasize on further research since this research will help in developing the appropriate solutions to the confusion that faces the KM field. Evidently, determination of the accurate benefits of KM is confused. This has been caused by the existence of a lot of confusion in KM. As such, further research will help in determining the importance of proper knowledge management. The findings of those researchers will help develop the specific importance of KM since this research will help in determining the appropriate KM practitioners. Fourthly, the earlier understanding of KM was based on how best an individual has varied information about a certain field. For instance, the authors used Health Care as a field. They emphasized that in the past a doctor or a nurse was viewed as a KM practitioner if they could deliver a lot of information about a certain disease or health condition (Firestone & McElroy, 2005). As a result, different health personnel who had a lot of information about a certain health condition were regarded as the best worker. In this regard, the authors emphasize on future research since KM comes hand in hand with practice. The self-proclaimed KM practitioners lack the required skills to deliver. Conclusively, it is evident that the authors addressed the importance of doing research on Knowledge management aspect. The research will provide concrete evidence upon which the existing confusion will be made clear. Further research will determine various aspects that need to be fulfilled by an individual before being proclaimed as a KM practitioner. Additionally, doing further research in the field will help various organizations to establish the best employers to hire for services. The authors emphasize on primary research since it will provide the accurate state in the KM field. References Joseph M. Firestone Mark W. McElroy, (2005),"Doing knowledge management", The Learning Organization, Vol. 12 Iss 2 pp. 189 - 212 Read More