Дисертації з теми "Knowledge Information Management"

ITC/USA 2005 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-First Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2005 / Riviera Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Aberdeen Test Center Versatile Information System – Integrated, ONline (VISION) project has developed and deployed a telemetry capability based upon modular instrumentation, seamless communications, and the VISION Digital Library. Each of the three key elements of VISION contributes to a holistic solution to the data collection, distribution, and management requirements of Test and Evaluation. This paper provides an overview of VISION instrumentation, communications, and overall data management technologies, with a focus on engineering performance data.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge management is a fragmented and ambiguous management practice. This is evident from the plethora of definitions available for this field. The premise of this study is that different discourse patterns in knowledge management also contribute to the ambiguity. Four theoretical lenses describe the typical discourses that are associated with the formation of management practices, namely management innovation, umbrella construction, management fashion cycles and institutionalisation of management practice. The following propositions are indicative of the types of discourses involved – the rationale, business outcome, management niche, solution definitions and the means provided for the enactment of the practice. The discourses of seven proponents were analysed according to the above, viz. Verna Allee, Nancy Dixon, Leif Edvinsson, Ikujiro Nonaka, Laurence Prusak, David Snowden and Mathieu Weggeman. Three main patterns were identified based on the manner in which the discourses associated with the four theoretical lenses manifest in the analysed discourses. These patterns represent three different conceptualisations of knowledge management, namely - (i) Knowledge management as a meta-practice framework: the focus is on the assimilation and synthesis of the various knowledge-based practices that are part of other management practices (such as quality management), or practices that originate from fluid initiatives in organisations (e.g. the role of the librarian transforming to become a information broker), or practices that are defined through systematic experimentation (such as the potential of social media for intelligence analysis). (ii) Knowledge management as a platform and catalyst for systemic management innovation: the quest is to define new approaches that are appropriate to manage organisations as complex knowledge-based systems. These approaches should supersede management practices still rooted in Newtonian or mechanistic thinking. Knowledge management is regarded to be a revolutionary practice that proposes, conceptualises and diffuses such new approaches, e.g. value network management (Verna Allee) and the Cynefin framework (David Snowden). (iii) Knowledge management as a master idea or master narrative: this knowledge management discourse is about the theorisation of novel structural arrangements that emerge in organisations as a response to the new requirements of a knowledge-driven economy. This theorisation influences the thinking, premises and practices of various management fields, such as strategic planning, human resource management and organisational design.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennisbestuur is ‘n gefragmenteerde en dubbelsinnige bestuurspraktyk. Dit is duidelik uit die menigvuldige definisies wat voorgehou word vir die veld. Die uitgangspunt van hierdie studie is dat verskillende diskoerspatrone in kennisbestuur ook tot die dubbelsinnigheid bydra. Vier teoretiese lense beskryf die tipiese diskoerse wat geassosieer word met die vorming van bestuurspraktyke, naamlik bestuursinnovasie, sambreelkonstruksies, bestuursmodesiklusse en die institutionalisering van bestuurspraktyke. Die volgende aspekte is ‘n aanduiding van die tipes diskoerse betrokke – die rasionaal, besigheidsuitkoms, bestuursnis, die definisie van die oplossing en die middele wat vir die implementering van die praktyke verskaf word. Die diskoerse van sewe voorstaanders is geanaliseer aan die hand van bogenoemde, naamlik Verna Allee, Nancy Dixon, Leif Edvinsson, Ikujiro Nonaka, David Snowden en Matthieu Weggeman. Drie hoofpatrone is geidentifiseer, gebaseer op die analise van die wyse waarin die vier teoretiese lense in die geselekteerde diskoerse manifesteer. Hierdie patrone verteenwoordig drie verskillende konsepsualiserings van kennisbestuur, naamlik - (i) Kennisbestuur as ‘n meta-praktykraamwerk: die fokus is op die assimilasie en sintese van die verskillende kennisgebaseerde praktyke wat deel is van ander bestuurspraktyke (soos kwaliteitsbestuur), of praktyke wat ontwikkel uit vloeibare inisiatiewe in organisasies (bv. die rol van die bibliotekaris wat transformeer na die van ‘n informasiemakelaar), of die definisie van nuwe praktyke aan die hand van sistematiese eksperimentering (soos die potensiaal van sosiale media vir intelligensie analise). (ii) Kennisbestuur as ‘n platform en katalisator vir sistemiese bestuursinnovasie: die strewe is om nuwe benaderings te definieer wat toepaslik is vir die bestuur van organisasies as komplekse kennis-gebaseerde stelsels. Hierdie benaderings moet bestuurspraktyke wat gewortel is in Newtoniaanse of meganistiese denke vervang. Kennisbestuur word beskou as ‘n revolusionêre praktyk wat nuwe benaderings voorstel, konsepsualiseer en versprei, soos Value Network Management (Verna Allee) en die Cynefin-raamwerk (David Snowden). (iii) Kennisbestuur as ‘n meesteridee of meesternarratief: hierdie kennisbestuurdiskoers omvat die teoretisering van nuwe strukturele reëlings wat, as ‘n reaksie op die nuwe vereistes wat ‘n kennisgedrewe ekonomie stel, in organisasies na vore kom. Hierdie teoretisering beïnvloed die denke, begronding en praktyke van verskeie bestuursvelde, soos strategiese beplanning, menslike hulpbronbestuur en organisasie-ontwerp.

The aim of this study is to locate if there are some common problems connected to knowledge management systems (KMSs) within organizations. This thesis begins with an introduction to knowledge management (KM) and knowledge management systems, followed by a presentation of previous research in the field of KM problematics. To find these possible issues that may prevent an effective use of KMSs within organizations, we will study contemporary literature and perform some complementary interviews. The questions formulated are addressed to participants from the organization Tieto, at their office in Lund. The questions are kept to a restricted number to gather replies that collect the main answers of relevance. The results from the literature review are then compared to the interviews. The main conclusion of this study is that the organizational culture may affect the possible occurrence of KMSs that suffer from usability problems, which causes the knowledge sharing to be inadequate. Finally; a picture of the problem areas concerning KMSs within organizations arise and some resolutions along with recommendations are presented.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering en sy organisasies en instellings, net soos ander internasionale state, word gekonfronteer met uitdagings om hul bates te bestuur, soos onder andere data, inligting, kennis, mense en prosesse. Hierdie uitdagings tel onder die faktore wat dienslewering negatief beinvloed. Alhoewel die Departement van Behuising ongeveer twee miljoen en sewe honderd duisend huise gelewer het, sedert 1994 was daar nog steeds uitdagings. Gepaardgaande met swak dienslewering, het die Departement ook gesukkel om bates soos inligting, kennis, inligtingstegnologie en menslike hulpbronne te bestuur. Alhoewel dit uitgebreide beleggings gemaak het in inligting tegnologie, veral in die ondersteuningsdienste, het die departement nog nie die tegnologie ten volle benut nie. Die tesis poog om die positiewe aspekte te ontdek wat deur die toepassing van kennisbestuur binne die behuisingsektor oor al drie regeringsvlakke teweeggebring kan word. ‘n Vraelys is versprei onder beamptes wat die bestaande behuisingsinformasie-sisteme gebruik in die areas van behuisingsubsidie administrasie, monitering en evaluering en projekbestuur afdelings in die behuisingsektor. Gebaseer op die bevindinge van die vraelys word ‘n kennisbestuursmodel vir die behuisingsektor voorgestel wat dienslewering kan bevorder.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering en sy organisasies en instellings, net soos ander internasionale state, word gekonfronteer met uitdagings om hul bates te bestuur, soos onder andere data, inligting, kennis, mense en prosesse. Hierdie uitdagings tel onder die faktore wat dienslewering negatief beinvloed. Alhoewel die Departement van Behuising ongeveer twee miljoen en sewe honderd duisend huise gelewer het, sedert 1994 was daar nog steeds uitdagings. Gepaardgaande met swak dienslewering, het die Departement ook gesukkel om bates soos inligting, kennis, inligtingstegnologie en menslike hulpbronne te bestuur. Alhoewel dit uitgebreide beleggings gemaak het in inligting tegnologie, veral in die ondersteuningsdienste, het die departement nog nie die tegnologie ten volle benut nie. Die tesis poog om die positiewe aspekte te ontdek wat deur die toepassing van kennisbestuur binne die behuisingsektor oor al drie regeringsvlakke teweeggebring kan word. ‘n Vraelys is versprei onder beamptes wat die bestaande behuisingsinformasie-sisteme gebruik in die areas van behuisingsubsidie administrasie, monitering en evaluering en projekbestuur afdelings in die behuisingsektor. Gebaseer op die bevindinge van die vraelys word ‘n kennisbestuursmodel vir die behuisingsektor voorgestel wat dienslewering kan bevorder.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 120-125).
This dissertation focuses on a knowledge audit that was conducted in a research organisation (PLAAS) at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. A knowledge and information audit provides a framework that examines the ways in which an organisation handles and leverages its knowledge and information assets. The audit examines ways an organisation creates, generates, disseminates, stores and shares its knowledge and information resources. In the process, the gaps, sinks, and duplications are revealed; providing useful information that can support decision making and knowledge management initiatives to enhance organisational productivity and effectiveness. This relates specifically to developing relevant information and knowledge strategies, to understanding an organisation's knowledge and information needs and aligning these with the right tools that will facilitate efficiency in an organisation's core engagements. This knowledge and information audit was exploratory in nature and sought to understand the current information and knowledge environment of the organisation. It was anticipated that the results would augment and feed into the current reflections of the organisation on how to leverage its knowledge and information assets and improve efficiency and remain competitive in the market place. The audit was carried out at PLAAS, a research unit that produces considerable research output based on the empirical studies that the staff conducts. The organisation, in addition, is actively involved in forums that debate and engage with various players in the land and agrarian sector in South Africa. These engagements are at a level where they influence policy matters related to land and agrarian matters in the new South Africa. This audit sought to examine what information and knowledge supports core engagements of the staff, what information and knowledge they use, where they find it and in the process establish the gaps, and challenges staff face as they carry out their core research duties. The audit adopted a qualitative approach to research, where interviews were the primary source of data collection. An interview guide was developed to facilitate the data collection and twelve (12) interviews were conducted. The themes, recurring items, and unique views that emerged guided the analysis. Recommendations to improve the current knowledge and information environment took the form of a 'Road Map for Knowledge Management' that the organisation can adopt to enhance the current operating system. The knowledge and information audit showed that the organisation is very knowledge-oriented and extensively engaged in knowledge work even though this is not explicitly referred to as 'Knowledge Management'. Many shortcomings were identified with regard to the knowledge and information system that is currently in place and these specifically relate to: the organisational structure, organisational memory, organisational technology infrastructure, infrastructure, knowledge sharing activities, and the organisational culture. The results suggested that the organisation needs to strengthen aspects in these areas in order to remain efficient and support the staff in their daily work activities. The outcomes further suggest that knowledge audit methodologies (as an area of knowledge management) need to develop and be standardized and that more research needs to be conducted in this field of knowledge management.

More than 38% of the U.S. public workforce will likely retire by 2030, which may result in a labor shortage. Business leaders may adopt strategies to mitigate knowledge loss within their organizations by capturing knowledge in a knowledge management system (KMS). The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that information technology (IT) managers use to develop and implement a KMS. The target population consisted of IT managers in a small-sized organization located in northwestern Florida who had implemented a KMS successfully. The conceptual framework for this study was organizational knowledge creation theory. The collection of public documents, execution of semistructured interviews with 5 qualified participants, literature on the topic, and member checking formed the determination of the findings of the study. Using triangulation and coding the data for emergent themes, 6 themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) training, (b) customer focus, (c) policy and governance, (d) leadership and management support, (e) communication and marketing, and (f) business process management. The application of the findings may contribute to social change by identifying strategies that leaders and IT managers from communities and government agencies use in implementing a KMS that may facilitate transparency and open flow of information to citizens, and allow access to timely, civic, and potentially life-enhancing information.

Project Knowledge Management and more specifically how organisations capture experiences gained in projects, is a critical topic in order to compete in the knowledge economy. Little attention has been given the catchphrase lessons learned practices as a research area. The purpose of the thesis is therefore to analyse the framework for the project closure phase through a Knowledge Management perspective. The purpose is also to evaluate how new knowledge, captured by project closure documents, can be identified and measured.

To fulfil the purpose, the project closure phase and project closure documents within the project model Practical Project Steering are studied. Through a document study, the framework that the project model gives, and the project closure documents is analysed. The project closure documents are also examined regarding the experiences they capture. This is done by developing an instrument for identifying and measuring new knowledge.

Through the study, it can be established that the project closure phase provides for a link between Knowledge Management and Project Management. It has an important contribution to Knowledge Management since it mitigates the risk of not transferring knowledge to the organisational memory. The use of predefined knowledge domains supports structure, and systemisation in the production of the documents, as well as in the compilation and dissemination of useful knowledge.

New knowledge within the project closure phase can be identified and measured by dividing the documents into isolated pieces of information and using developed criteria to identify, and thereby quantify new knowledge. The instrument is highly reliable since it is ensured that the division of information does not result in any decontextualisation, and since the criteria used are very stable, and still acknowledge the dynamics of knowledge as well as the knowledge context.

By using the measurements on empirical data, problems that are important to acknowledge are identified. There is an uneven distribution of knowledge types acquired by the project closure documents, regardless of their importance; resulting in loss of important knowledge. The difficulty to formalise important knowledge, results in failing to transfer knowledge to an external organisational memory. The difficulty to distribute knowledge sufficiently, results in re-invention of the wheel, and the same mistakes being made twice or more.

Abstract This study considers the way in which the Hellenic Police use data, knowledge and information through its national information system called Police On Line (POL). This knowledge sharing tool has been created aimed at the development of an effective environment for Greek police officers in nationwide level and meeting the contemporary demands of crime tackling. Knowledge Management strategies play an important role in the creation of appropriate knowledge sharing capabilities and skills. The improvement of the performance of the Police On Line project can be achieved by reconsidering of KM strategies of the Hellenic Police organization in terms of an integrative KM context. Given the necessity of examination of the current KM strategies, the major question that is answered via this study is ‘how the knowledge creation process, the knowledge storage/retrieval process, the knowledge sharing/transfer process and the knowledge application process of the Police On Line system are affected in the Hellenic Police environment?’ The study of the Police On Line system’s knowledge processes aimed at the provision of the current knowledge perspectives and help for a different policing status that will be characterized by efficiency and adjustment.     Keywords: Knowledge Management, POL, Knowledge Processes, Integrated KM Approach, Hellenic Police.

I dagens allt mer globaliserade företagsklimat är det viktigt att på ett optimalt sätt hantera informations- och kunskapsrelaterade frågor. I takt med den ständiga förändringen som pågår så har begreppet Knowledge Management (KM) blivit ett populärt ämnesområde. KM kan enligt oss vara hur en organisation arbetar och hanterar kunskap för att kunna öka sin konkurrenskraft.

Vårt syfte med denna kandidatuppsats har varit att undersöka hur den mestadels engelsk-språkiga litteraturen inom ämnesområdet KM går att applicera på svenska organisationer. Detta med avsikt på att kunna mäta en organisations KM-tillstånd. Vårt forskningsarbete har även målsättningen att generera förändrings- och förbättringsförslag åt en global orga-nisation som vårt referensföretag.

För att uppfylla syftet har vi valt att utföra en surveyundersökning som bygger på Bukowitz och Williams bok, The Knowledge Management Fieldbook (1999). Med hjälp av denna lit-teratur kan läsaren undersöka och mäta hur en vald organisation hanterar kunskap.

Vår forskning visar att den valda undersökningsformen går att använda på svenska organi-sationer men att den besitter vissa brister. Bland förslagen vi tagit fram för att förbättra surveyundersökningen finns förändringar i språkbruket och möjlighet att dela upp under-sökningen i mindre avsnitt.

Trots undersökningens brister har vi fått fram ett antal förändrings- och förbättringsförslag åt vårt referensföretag. Surveyundersökningen indikerar bland annat på att respondenterna saknar en helhetssyn och en förståelse för organisationens syn på KM. Vidare tyder resulta-tet på att organisationen hade kunnat bli ännu mer konkurrenskraftig genom att tillsätta specialisttjänster i form av till exempel en Knowledge Manager.

The environment of organisations is today becoming more globalized and it is important to optimize the ways of handling with information and knowledge. In this constant change that is going on has the concept Knowledge Management (KM) become popular. KM can according to us be how an organisation work and handle knowledge in order to strengthen their competitiveness.

Our purpose with this paper has been to examine how KM is described in the, in most parts, English literature and how it can be applied to Swedish organisations in order to measure the KM-condition. The aim of this research project is also to generate changes and improvement suggestions for a global organisation such as our reference organisation.

In order to obtain our purpose we have chosen to execute a survey investigation that is built on “The Knowledge Management Fieldbook” (1999) authored by Bukowitz and Wil-liams. With this literature the reader is given an opportunity to investigate and measure how a chosen organisation handles knowledge.

The research shows that the chosen investigation form is possible to use on Swedish or-ganisations even though there are some shortages. Among our proposals, to improve the survey investigation, are a change of language use and to make it possible for the investiga-tor to divide the investigation into smaller parts.

Despite the shortages in the investigation have we been able to produce a number of sug-gestions for our reference organisation to work with. These suggestions are for example about changes and improvement in KM handling. The survey investigation indicate among other things that the respondents lack an overall picture and understanding for the organi-sations vision of KM. Furthermore our result indicates that the organisation could be able to become even more competitive through appointing specialist posts like for example a Knowledge Manager.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the emergence of Web 2.0 (social network platforms) some Knowledge Management theorists saw the potential for incorporating its collaborative and networking features in Knowledge Management Systems. However, the consensus is that harnessing Web 2.0 features for Knowledge Management is still in its infancy and according to some it seems that Web 2.0 success in the social sphere is hard to translate to the work context. The thesis argues that Web 2.0 primarily facilitates Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) and in this way indirectly contributes to Organisational Knowledge Management. Furthermore not all Web 2.0 features are equally useful in facilitating Personal Knowledge Management. The thesis identifies the group features of social network platforms as the prime locations for networking and learning. The thesis is theoretically based on Cheong and Tsui's PKM 2.0 model, in particular the Interpersonal Knowledge Transferring phase that in turn is based on Nonaka's SECI model of knowledge conversion. The thesis starts out with considering the distinction and relationship between Organisational Knowledge Management (OKM) and Personal Knowledge Management (PKM). Thereafter Cheong and Tsui's PKM 2.0 model is described as well as Nonaka's SECI model. The Web 2.0 phenomenon is introduced through a literature review of various studies on the usefulness of social network platforms and the group features are specifically highlighted. A survey is conducted among users of a particular Web 2.0 group feature, based on questions developed from the SECI and PKM 2.0 models. The thesis comes to the conclusion that the group features of Web 2.0 social network platforms are useful for Knowledge Management, because it is indeed a component of users' Personal Knowledge Management.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sekere Kennisbestuursteoretici het met die opkoms van Web 2.0 (sosiale netwerk-platforms) die moontlikheid waargeneem om die samewerks- en netwerk-funksionaliteit van Web 2.0 platforms met bestaande Kennisbestuurstelsels te integreer. Die konsensus is egter dat sulke pogings nog veel tekortskiet en sommige waarnemers meen dat dit baie moeilik sal wees om Web 2.0 se sukses in die sosiale sfeer in die werksplek in te span. Die tesis argumenteer dat Web 2.0 hoofsaaklik Persoonlike Kennisbestuur (PKB) fasiliteer en langs hierdie ompad 'n bydrae lewer tot Organisatoriese Kennisbestuur (OKB). Verder lewer alle funksionaliteite van Web 2.0 nie 'n bruikbare bydra tot Kennisbestuur nie, maar is dit hoofsaaklik die groepsfunksies wat bruikbaar is in terme van netwerking en leer. Die tesis is teoreties gewortel in Cheong en Tsui se PKB 2.0 model, veral die Interpersoonlike Kennisoordragsfase wat weer op Nonaka se SEKI model gebaseer is. Die tesis oorweeg aanvanklik die onderskeid en verhouding tussen Organisatoriese Kennisbestuur (OKB) en Persoonlike Kennisbestuur (PKB). Daarna word Cheong en Tsui se PKB 2.0 model en Nonaka se SEKI model bespreek. Die Web 2.0 fenomeen word beskryf aan die hand van 'n literatuurstudie van navorsing oor die bruikbaarheid van Web 2.0 platforms en die groepsfunksionaliteit word spesifiek belig. 'n Vraelys, gebaseer op die SEKI en PKB 2.0 modelle, is onder gebruikers van 'n spesifieke Web 2.0 groepsfunksie geadministreer. Die tesis kom tot die konklusie dat die groepsfunksies van Web 2.0 sosiale netwerk-platforms bruikbaar is vir Kennisbestuur, want dit is inderdaad 'n komponent van gebruikers se Persoonlike Kennisbestuur (PKB).

Knowledge management (KM) encompasses the set of capabilities, processes, tools, and techniques for the most effective use of knowledge by an organization. The goal of KM is to improve the organization s ability to create, transfer, retain, and apply knowledge. Knowledge management is a goal that many organizations seek to achieve. Organizations apply their strategies, plans, and implementation to achieve KM. Organizations use technology to implement their KM strategy. For some, this approach has worked well; however, for others, the results have fallen short. KM shortcomings revolve around employees infrequent use of the technology. This research seeks to understand what influences a user s behavior to use a KM system and why a user becomes a routine user. This research provides a model of KM continuance behavior and post-acceptance usage behavior. Post-acceptance usage behavior is how an individual decides to use a system after its initial acceptance. The KM continuance model incorporates technology, community, individual, and organizational elements that influence a user s intentions and actual use of a KM system. The specific context of this research is a KM system known as the Air Force Knowledge Now (AFKN) system. AFKN emphasizes KM through expertise-sharing activities in Communities of Practice (CoPs). The AFKN KM system facilitates and enhances the relationships in the community. The data for this study were obtained by using an online questionnaire. The results are analyzed using Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling with a two-step data analysis approach. The first step assessed the properties of the measurement model. The second step assessed the path model. Path coefficients and t-values are generated to evaluate the 14 proposed hypotheses. The results of the investigation show that community and technology KM both positively influence a user s evaluation of the KM environment. The results produced a coefficient of determination of 60% for KM continued-use intention and 31% for KM continued-use behavior. The outcome of this research is a model that allows organizations to tailor their KM systems efforts to the organizational environment in order to maximize their resources. This investigation serves as a foundation for further research and development in areas of KM, KM systems, and post-acceptance usage.
Ph.D.
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Engineering and Computer Science
Industrial Engineering PhD

Promoting knowledge sharing has long been regarded as a very important aspect of the management of knowledge. However, knowledge sharing has its challenges due to the special nature of knowledge. Based on this, the researcher argues that it is knowledge seeking rather than knowledge sharing that plays a crucial role in knowledge management. However, there is no clear definition for knowledge seeking in existing literature. In the few studies of knowledge seeking research, knowledge has been viewed as a noun and as such knowledge seeking has been seen as no different to information seeking. The aim of this research has been to explore the knowledge seeking process in the workplace in order to conceptualise knowledge seeking by developing a theoretical model. A review of the literature concerning knowledge seeking has been conducted in order to clarify the concept of knowledge seeking. From the interpretivist’s perspective, a qualitative research approach has been taken, in which sense-making theory is employed as a methodological guide. Time-line interviews were carried out with construction engineers in China to collect primary data, and Template analysis was utilized. Based on the literature, this thesis defined knowledge seeking as a learning process, which consists of three major themes: experiential learning, information seeking and problem solving, based on which a preliminary framework was developed. Twenty six engineers were successfully interviewed. The findings from the data confirmed the links between the themes. Further codes were also identified to develop a final template, which evolved to a theoretical model illustrating the knowledge seeking process in the workplace. By promoting knowledge seeking rather than knowledge sharing, this research contributed innovatory insight into existing KM research. The new concept of knowledge seeking and the theoretical model developed thereafter contribute to knowledge by providing a theoretical framework for further research in this area. The specific combination of time-line interviews and template analysis has demonstrated good results in this research. Collecting primary data from China, this research applied Western theories onto engineers within a Chinese context, which has contributed to KM research in China. These contributions will result in many practical implications for KM practices.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is a strong pressure for organizations to attaining, maintaining and improving knowledge standards for sustained competitive strategic advantage. This assignment examines the status of knowledge and knowledge management (KM) practices at the Provincial Library Services (PLIS). I approached the topic by collecting data relevant to the management of information and knowledge and benefits of the KM activities using the following methods: A review of literature and research: - addressing the paucity of literature and research that is both current and directly relevant to libraries was one of the motivating factors behind the study; analysis of key documents and information systems; a questionnaire was distributed to the PUS personnel; informal interviews and observations. The results seem to indicate that PLIS has a knowledge infrastructure and a technology infrastructure. This is apparent in its knowledge programmes, e-mail system, web page, library management system (PROLIB), and limited access to the Internet. Staff has some fairly basic knowledge and information needs that must be addressed. Few knowledge contents should be established. The baseline information provides a foundation for more coordination; recognition of the importance and enhancement of its KM related activities. KM activities should focus on individual capabilities. Recommendations are articulated in terms of a proposed KM strategy. It became evident that success of knowledge management depends on an environment, which is conducive to conversion of individual knowledge to organizational knowledge, the value to which employees place on knowledge and their attitude towards KM. Moreover, indicators of success and evidence of effectiveness should take the measuring criteria beyond a checklist of policies and strategies, procedures and processes, systems, activities but professional competence, commitment, benchmarking and adoption of best practices for attainment of KM goals. Important to note, is the reality that a KM activity for PLIS has to take broader transformation imperatives into account.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word sterk druk geplaas op organisasies om kennis te bekom, te behou en te verbeter vir volgehoue mededingende strategiese voorsprong. Hierdie werstuk ondersoek die status van kennis en kennisbestuur- (Knowledge Management, KM) praktyke van die Provinsiale Biblioteekdiens. Ek het die- onderwerp benader deur data te versamel wat relevant is tot die bestuur van inligting en kennis sowel as die voordele van KM aktiwiteite deur die volgende metodes te gebruik: 'n Oorsig van literatuur en navorsing: - een van die faktore wat die studie gemotiveer het is om die beperkte beskikbare literatuur en navorsing wat op datum sowel as relevant tot biblioteke is aan te spreek; 'n ontleding van die kern dokumente en inligtingsisteme; 'n vraelys wat versprei is onder die personeel van die Provinsiale Biblioteekdiens; informele onderhoude en waarnemings. Die resultate dui daarop dat die Provinsiale Biblioteekdiens 'n kennis en tegnologiese infrastruktuur het. Dit blyk uit die kennisprogram, die e-pos sisteem, die Webtuiste, die biblioteekbestuursisteem (Prolib), en beperkte toegang tot die Internet. Personeel het basiese kennis en inligtingsbehoeftes wat aangespreek moet word. Kennisinhoude moet daargestel word. Die basislyn inligting voorsien 'n grondslag vir meer koôrdinasie; besef van die belangrikheid en die verbetering van die KM verwante aktiwiteite. KM aktiwiteite moet fokus op individuele vermoëns. Aanbevelings word uitgedruk in terme van 'n voorgestelde KM strategie. Dit het duidelik geword dat die sukses van kennisbestuur afhang van 'n omgewing wat bevorderlik is vir die omskakeling van kennis van die individu na organisatoriese kennis, die waarde wat personeel heg aan kennis en hulle houding teenoor kennis bestuur. Aanwysings van sukses en bewys van effektiwiteit moet meetbare kriteria verder neem as 'n lys van beleide en strategieë, prosedures en prosesse, sisteme en aktiwiteite maar moet professionele vermoëns toewyding "benchmarking" en gebruik van die beste praktyke vir die bereiking van KM doelwitte toepas. Dit is belangrik om te let op die realiteit dat 'n KM aktiwiteit van die Provinsiale Biblioteekdiens wyer transformerende imperatiewe in ag moet neem.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Storytelling is gaining recognition as areas of inquiry in management and organisation theory, but it is difficult to ascertain to what extent it is useful for organisational knowledge management. The thesis argues that although the existing literature on organisational storytelling is focused on the knowledge sharing aspects of storytelling, it is also useful for knowledge capturing. Whilst most knowledge management systems focus on explicit knowledge, the capture of tacit knowledge, which is hard to identify and manage, is a major challenge. The thesis uses Becerra-Fernandez et al.'s knowledge management framework to establish the requirements for knowledge management, and specifically highlighting the important role of tacit knowledge in organisational knowledge processes. Thereafter the role of storytelling in organisations is described by way of a literature review that includes the work of Snowden, Denning, Boje and Czarniawska. The outcome of this review is to show that storytelling is an informal process in organisations and that attempts to formalise it are still in its infancy. The various insights about the role of stories in organisations are then mapped against the requirements for knowledge management. It is shown that the storytelling literature almost wholly concentrates on the area of knowledge sharing and less so in the areas of knowledge discovery, capture and application. Since knowledge capture involves the externalisation of tacit knowledge and because tacit knowledge is more easily expressed in narrative form, it is argued that storytelling can also contribute to knowledge management as a way to capture knowledge.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Stories en vertellings word toenemend erken as areas van ondersoek in bestuurs- en organisasieteorie, maar dit is moeilik om te bepaal tot watter mate dit bruikbaar is vir organisatoriese kennisbestuur. Die tesis argumenteer dat, hoewel die bestaande literatuur oor organisatoriese stories gefokus is op stories as die oordrag van kennis, dit ook bruikbaar mag wees vir kennis-formalisering. Terwyl die meeste kennisbestuursisteme op eksplisiete kennis gefokus is, is die formalisering van versweë kennis, wat moeilik is om te identifiseer en bestuur, 'n groot uitdaging. Die tesis steun op Becerra-Fernandez et al. se kennisbestuursraamwerk om so die vereistes vir kennisbestuur te bepaal en spesifiek die belangrike rol van versweë kennis in organisatoriese kennis prosesse uit te stippel. Daarna word die rol van stories in organisasies beskryf deur middel van 'n literatuur-oorsig wat die werk van Snowden, Denning, Boje en Czarniawska insluit. Die uitkoms van die oorsig is dat storie-vertelling in organisasies hoofsaaklik 'n informele proses is en dat pogings om dit te formaliseer nog in die beginfases is. Die verskeie insigte oor die rol van stories in organisasies word dan teen die agtergrond van die kennisbestuursvereistes geinterpreteer. Daar word getoon dat die storievertellingsliteratuur amper uitsluitlik konsentreer op die area van kennis-oordrag en minder so in die areas van kennis ontdekking, -formalisering en -toepassing. Omdat kennis formalisering met die eksternalisasie van versweë kennis gepaardgaan en omdat versweë kennis makliker in narratiewe vorm uitgedruk kan word, word daar geargumenteer dat storievertelling ook tot kennisbestuur kan bydrae lewer as 'n manier om kennis te formaliseer.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Sydney, 2008.
"A thesis submitted to the University of Western Sydney, College of Health and Science, School of Computing and Mathematics in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy." Includes bibliography.

Date: 2008-06-04

Course: EIK 034 Masters Thesis

Authors: Laxmi Rao & Zarina Osmonalieva

Tutor: Ole Liljefors

Title: Which factors facilitate the management of external knowledge?

Introduction: Today more and more organisations are realising that handling internal and external knowledge is a key issue for successful performance. Different theories describe the importance of this topic, for instance, Porter’s Five Forces model and Hedman & Kalling’s General Business Model demonstrate how organizations are strongly influenced by external forces. Hedman & Kalling’s model particularly demonstrates that organizations need to have the competence, capability and resources to effectively manage external knowledge in order to increase their competitiveness and develop and improve their long term survival.

Purpose: Nicholas Carr highlights that for the past decade organizational investment in IT and IS has reached nearly 50% of capital expenditure, while the organizations see little or no performance improvement as a result of this investment. While IT systems are good at storing and retrieving information, the success of the systems heavily relies on the quality of the external and internal knowledge used both during development and usage. A deeper awareness of factors which facilitate the management of external knowledge is relevant to IT managers (indeed all managers) as it will help to facilitate the development and implementation of information systems and technology which are designed to facilitate knowledge management in organisations.

Methodology: In the thesis factors related to effective management of external knowledge are identified and described. The General Business Model was used as a tool to identify and categorize the literature review into key themes.

Conclusions One of the findings is that most published research focuses on factors internal to organizations such as activities and resources and there are few papers dealing with external factors for knowledge management. It was also found that literature which focussed on external factors mainly focused on the role of individuals as resources who cross the boundary of the organization in order to acquire and diffuse the external knowledge. In general the topic of external knowledge management is not studied in a holistic way. The acquisition and diffusion processes have been investigated as separate, but not as the whole process.

The expanding availability of on-line information sources, such as on-line documents, corpora, and the World Wide Web, introduces some challenges. Most notably, users must search through this material to find high-quality, relevant information. This is the domain of information retrieval. Alternatively, knowledge bases present information in a very compact and structured representation. Unfortunately, their creation is labor intensive. In order to bridge the gap between the amount of structure in the information processed by information retrieval and knowledge engineering techniques, the author presents TAKODO, a tool and a framework designed for both (i) facilitating the extraction of knowledge from unstructured text, possibly to aid in the process of creating a knowledge base, and (ii) retrieving information from natural language texts and the knowledge base, using each to their mutual advantage. TAKODO integrates several existing applications, among them a question answering system, called Text Analyzer, and a frame-based knowledge management tool, called the Knowledge Organizer, with the additional support of corpus linguistic techniques.

In this thesis a new concept called domain knowledge management for informationproviding dialogue systems is introduced. Domain knowledge management includes issues related to representation and use of domain knowledge as well as access of background information sources, issues that previously have been incorporated in dialogue management.

The work on domain knowledge management reported in this thesis can be divided in two parts. On a general theoretical level, knowledge sources and models used for dialogue management, including domain knowledge management, are studied and related to the capabilities they support. On a more practical level, domain knowledge management is examined in the contexts of a dialogue system framework and a specific instance of this framework, the ÖTRAF system. In this system domain knowledge management is implemented in a separate module, a Domain Knowledge Manager.

The use of a specialised Domain Knowledge Manager has a number of advantages. The first is that dialogue management becomes more focused as it only has to consider dialogue phenomena, while domain-specific reasoning is handled by the Domain Knowledge Manager. Secondly, porting of a system to new domains is facilitated since domain-related issues are separated out in specialised domain knowledge sources. The third advantage with a separate module for domain knowledge management is that domain knowledge sources can be easily modified, exchanged, and reused.

Report code: LiU-Tek-Lic-2001:27.

One way an organization manages the knowledge of its people is in information technology (IT) projects. Organizations develop IT projects for many socially responsible reasons, including improved health care services and better community services. IT projects do not always achieve the goals of the organization when the knowledge of the stakeholders is not managed for these objectives. For this study the purpose was to address the use of knowledge management (KM) in project management (PM) to improve the success of IT projects in achieving the organizational goals. The research questions were based on KM including its tools and techniques to improve the success rate for IT projects. The conceptual framework included the project knowledge management (PKM) model, which helped identify the knowledge sharing in IT software projects for a local insurance company in Baltimore, Maryland. Interview data were collected from 26 IT project stakeholders about KM in PM. Analysis revealed 4 themes of managing knowledge in the requirement process, code development process, testing process, and the helpdesk process for the success of the IT project. Each of the 4 processes used different KM repositories and face-to-face tools. Improving the rate of successful IT projects benefits organizations and society with better products and services for lower costs. This study may affect social change by providing information for managers of other organizations about achieving success of their IT projects.

This paper examines the challenges that the success of library and information systems design and implementation is now generating. It makes a distinction between management and mobilization and argues that the organizational success of the interrelated fields of knowledge management and in-formation systems (KM/IS) rests on strengthening (1) their descriptive understanding of how individuals in organizations make their own choices about accessing, using and sharing knowledge and (2) corre-sponding prescriptive recommendations for adapting the technical designs of KM/IS to best accommo-date those choices. It is success that has created this need, in that every major trend in KM/IS adds to user choices and reduces institutional control; the library now has no locked doors and experts can â meetâ wherever they are and whenever they want. Blogs bypass all the formal traditions, practices, edi-torial policies, verification procedures and protections against libel and misrepresentation of traditional print media. The frequent use of the term â democratic journalismâ to describe the blog phenomenon (George, 2006) in itself implies that traditional journalism is non-democratic. While KM/IS is not driven by a search for profits in the mass consumer market, it shares the same basic aim as leaders in consumer electronics, mobile data services, and even the gaming field. It is a commitment of institutional funds, whether from research grants or in-house sources, to innovate through information technology. The pur-pose of the innovation is to enable and encourage new behaviors. Knowledge management is focused in this regard on knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Information services are generally more centered on individual information-seeking and learning. When user choices determine the adoption and impact of this type pf innovation, then obviously it is essential to understand the foundations and dynamics of choice.

On title page: Master of Philosophy (Decision Making, Knowledge Dynamics and Values).
Thesis (MPhil) Stellenbosch University, 2005
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge based organisations must continually create, share, and capture knowledge in order to improve performance. This demand for performance improvement has now also reached the public sector. The Parliamentary Service responded to this demand by contracting consultants to design systems, policies and strategies in areas such as performance management, information technology, human resource management, financial resource management, training and development. Against this background, a case study was conducted within the Parliamentary Service to explore how organizational knowledge is created and transferred in practice. The theoretical lens for this case study is Nonaka's knowledge spiral, which puts emphasis on the creation, codification and diffusion of knowledge. The study explores processes and mechanisms of creating, transferring and capturing knowledge. This is done through the examination of strategies and systems for codifying tacit knowledge and storing that codified knowledge. Thereafter technological, cultural and organizational barriers that inhibit these efforts at sharing and storage of knowledge are identified. In the light of the above, implications for managing organizational knowledge are outlined. Lastly recommendations are made on how tacit and explicit knowledge could be efficiently managed within the sections and divisions of the Parliamentary Service. Data was gathered through interviews, observation and an analysis of organizational documents. These demonstrate that through the contracting of consultants and the involvement of internal stakeholders, parliamentary service has made remarkable progress in creating, sharing, and codifying knowledge of the performance management system at individual, group and organizational levels. This progress was made as the result of the institutionalization of a performance management forum, the use of workshops, the training of trainers and staff, the publications of newsletters, the development of manuals and the writing and submission of reports. However, it was also found that there are certain technological, cultural and organizational barriers to effective knowledge management. These include the lack of electronic databases, a culture of hoarding knowledge and the fact that knowledge management roles are not assigned. Based on the analysis of these technological, cultural and organizational barriers the -- study makes six recommendations for the management of organizational knowledge within the parliamentary service. These recommendations deal with the following issues: The codification of tacit knowledge, the creation of a knowledge repository, the promotion of a knowledge sharing culture, the institutionalization of knowledge sharing incentives, the establishment of a knowledge management unit, and the appointment of a chief knowledge officer.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennisgebaseerde orgamsas1es moet aaneenlopend kennis skep, deel en kodifiseer om kompeterend te bly. Kennisgebaseerde prestasie-verbetering word toenemend 'n prioriteit in die openbare sektor. Die Parlementere Diensafdeling het, in 'n poging om prestasie te verbeter, konsultante gekontrakteer om sisteme, beleide en strategiee te ontwerp in areas soos prestasie-bestuur, informasie tegnologie, menslike hulpbronbestuur, finansiele bestuur, en opleiding en ontwikkeling. 'n Gevallestudie in die Parlementere Diensafdeling is teen hierdie agtergrond geloods om uit te vind hoe organisatoriese kennis in die praktyk geskep en oorgedra word. Die teoretiese lens vir hierdie gevallestudie is N onaka se kennis-spiraal, wat die skep, kodifiseer en deel van kennis benadruk. Die studie verken die prosesse en meganismes vir die skep en oordrag van kennis. Dit word gedoen deur die strategiee en sisteme vir die kodifisering van verswee kennis (tacit knowledge) en die stoor van die eksplisiete kennis (explicit knowledge) te ondersoek. Daama word die tegnologiese, kulturele en organisatoriese hindemisse wat die pogings tot die skep en deel van kennis frustreer gei"dentifiseer. In die lig van bogenoemde word implikasies vir die bestuur van kennis uitgestippel. Laastens word voorstelle gemaak vir die bestuur van kennis in spesifiek die Parlementere Diensafdeling. Data vir die studie is verkry deur onderhoude, observasie en die analise van organisatoriese dokumente. Hierdie demonstreer dat die Parlementere Diensafdeling, deur die kontraktering van konsultante en die betrek van interne belangehebbers, wel daarin geslaag het om kennis rondom die prestasiebesuurstelsel te skep, te deel en te kodifiseer op individuele, groep en organisasie vlak. Dit is hoofsaaklik toe te skryf aan die institusionalisering van 'n prestasiebestuursforum, die gebruik van werkswinkels, die opleiding van personeel, die publikasie van nuusbriewe, die ontwikkeling van handboeke en die skryf en indiening van verslae. Dit is egter ook gevind dat daar sekere tegnologiese, kulturele en organisatoriese hindemisse tot effektiewe kennisbestuur in die Parlementere Diensafdeling is. Hierdie sluit in die gebrek aan 'n elektroniese databasis, 'n kultuur van kennis-opgaarding, en die feit dat kennisbestuursrolle nie toegeken word nie. Die studie maak dan ses voorstelle vir die bestuur van organisatoriese kennis binne die Parlementere Diensafdeling gebaseer op die analise van hierdie tegnologiese, kulturele en organisatoriese faktore. Hierdie voorstelle gaan oor die volgende kwessies: Die kodifisering van verswee kennis (tacit knowledge), die skep van 'n kennis poel (knowledge repository), die bevordering van 'n kultuur van kennis deel, die institusionalisering van kennis insentiewe, die vestiging van 'n kennisbestuursafdeling, en die aanstelling van 'n Hoof Kennis Beampte (Chief Knowledge Officer).

Nowadays, Cloud Technologies are commonly used for a lot of large organizations to aid knowledge sharing.  This brings some benefits to the organization by reducing the cost of the charges, improve security, enhance content accessibility, improve efficiency etc. On the other hand, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) tend to manage their information in more informal way by not using the specific language or terminology of KM. Moreover, Small and Medium enterprises do not trust the adoption of cloud-based techniques for managing information for many reasons that discussed later. This thesis tries to provide the benefits and drawbacks of cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques in Greek SMEs and also to find how knowledge processes are used in Greek SMEs according to cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques. Also, through this work I will come up with the benefits and drawbacks of applying cloud-based techniques for managing information-knowledge in SMEs. To accomplish this, I derived with a methodology that is based on qualitative approach. More specifically, I provide an exhaustive literature review and then I contacted with five SMEs in Greece to explore, using different techniques, if these SMEs can benefit from the cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques and how indent are for adopting cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques in their organization. I realized that three of the SMEs are using cloud-based techniques for Knowledge Management, where the two of them does not. To be more specific one of these two SMEs does not manage its knowledge at all. However, all of the five organizations showed a great interest to adopt cloud-based and information system technologies for Knowledge Management. At the end, this work comes up with the following important findings and insights, as well: Cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques can bring a lot of benefits in terms of cost savings and performance. However, this suits the right and efficiently use of cloud-based techniques. The lack of using efficiently cloud-based Knowledge Management techniques may lead to some drawbacks, such as reduction on the performance of the organization and reduction on the savings.   This thesis also discusses some points for future direction such as the analysis of a larger space of organizations, the investigation of quantitative analysis and also the combination of both (qualitative and quantitative).

Nowadays, business activities become more and more complex; they entangle numerous aspects of knowledge: legal, financial, management, information technology, and so on. Knowledge Management, a still novel solution for most organization, aims boost and optimize the knowledge transfers in organization. The thesis is about should and how small and middle medium enterprises apply knowledge management. The author argues the content of knowledge management, and how implements those ideas into real business environment.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-92).
This study aims at investigating a framework that utilises the latest advances in KMS technology. This research outlines the framework and describes a system developed around this. The framework is based on fundamental knowledge management concepts, Resource Description Framework (RDF) and basic modeling concepts and tools. It also incorporates notions of knowledge quality measure and a simple inference mechanism in order to probe, learn and adapt the KMS with the changing needs of its users.

The purpose of this study was to describe how journalists do research for their articles and whether there is a need to create a knowledge bank of the material that journalists use for writing these articles. I also looked at how knowledge management could be used at a daily newspaper to add value to the information used by the journalists. The thesis is based on four interviews with journalists, a literature review and a practical project. I helped a journalist with his information seeking and later tried to organize the material. This project gave me an understanding of how varying the material that journalists use is and how difficult it would be to try to organize it in order to create an organizational knowledge resource of the material. The study shows that journalists use a lot of information in their work and a big part of their job consists of information seeking. A lot of the retrieved information is not used more than once. The study shows that if the material was organized and made available for other journalists at the newspaper, it would make journalists work more effective. The results also show that there are some knowledge management tools available at the newspaper but these are not used for knowledge management purposes. Journalists also need to change their way of thinking about their profession from the industrial era to the information and knowledge era in order to make knowledge management succeed and benefit the organization and its employees.
Uppsatsnivå: D

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-115).
This dissertation defines knowledge in terms or traditional epistemological ideals and as a strategic resource. Knowledge management is defined in terms or the ability or organizations to manage knowledge as a strategic resource in order to gain all advantage from it. In the knowledge management framework, knowledge is presented as a continuum consisting of tacit, implicit and explicit knowledge. Tacit and implicit knowledge is managed through the acknowledgement of the social nature of knowledge. One method to achieve this is communities of practice. On the other end of the spectrum, explicit knowledge is very close in nature and character to information. Due to the expansion of available information resources the design and structure of information (explicit knowledge) for effective retrieval has become very important. Information architecture is a field that specializes in the design and structure of information for effective retrieval. Traditional information architecture tools such as metadata and subject classification address some of the issues, but experience difficulty in heterogeneous environments such as the Internet. Topic maps are considered as a possible solution to the concerns of metadata classification and subject based classification. Due to the extent and nature of the information recorded in a topic map, it becomes an information resource in itself. Topic maps also act as an enabling technology for knowledge management as it maps the complex relationships between concepts and include a range of information resources. The conclusion of this dissertation is the representation of a conceptual model based on the themes developed in this dissertation. The main advantage of the conceptual model is the clear and direct link between knowledge management and information architecture.

Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of MIS, University of Arizona
Information and knowledge management in a knowledge-intensive and time-critical environment presents a challenge to information technology professionals. In law enforcement, multiple data sources are used, each having different user interfaces. COPLINK Connect addresses these problems by providing one easy-to-use interface that integrates different data sources such as incident records, mug shots and gang information, and allows diverse police departments to share data easily. User evaluations of the application allowed us to study the impact of COPLINK on law-enforcement personnel as well as to identify requirements for improving the system. COPLINK Connect is currently being deployed at Tucson Police Department (TPD).

Information plays a vast contributing role to all resources within an organisation. Organisations should recognise the importance of information and implement information security controls to protect their information as this will ensure that the organisation‟s information retains its confidentiality, integrity and availability. Information security controls, which are the means of managing information risks, rely heavily on the user‟s knowledge regarding the use of these controls for their effectiveness, and as such, users should be educated in order to maximise effectiveness of these controls. Current information security educational programmes are created without necessarily taking into account the target audience, who comprises of all employees, stakeholders, suppliers, third parties, customers or other external parties or third party that requires access to the organisation‟s information. This results in programmes that are not linguistically appropriate; or that present knowledge at an inappropriate level for the target audience. This could leave users bored or confused, without successfully changing their behaviour or improving knowledge. This dissertation identifies a baseline for information security knowledge targeted at end users. This was done by means of a Delphi Study, where a profile of “generic” end users comprised of information security topics and concepts were rated by experts from the field of information security education. This resulted in the elimination of inappropriate topics and concepts and retaining the relevant and appropriate aspects. This baseline for information security knowledge can be characterised as a minimum standard that everybody should be educated on as an introductory or refresher course. This can also serve as the foundation phase to educate end users with knowledge of the basic topics and concepts to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities in order to protect information. If needed, topics and concepts could be added to the baseline for information security knowledge for specialised target audiences (e.g. specialised End Users, ICT Staff or Top Management).

In twenty-first century, the industry competes heavily. Entrepreneurs try to use technology to develop their business. However, using technology generates high costs. So companies need to find a new way to survive by using the existing resources to gain maximum benefit. Knowledge management is one of interesting alternatives as it can deliver competitive advantage such as greater competencies and synergy, more balanced decisions and less errors, more creativity and innovation, broader collaboration and knowledge sharing, and easier links to expertise and deeper understanding.

This paper deals with various aspects of knowledge management particularly concentrating on knowledge sharing in service industry. Issues in the context of different data sources and the research with qualitative methodology create the in-depth knowledge to understand how to do knowledge work for gaining competitive advantage. The emphasis is placed on analysis and evaluation of problems and barriers of both cases as applied from all data collection.

In the paper, each chapter has the following set-up. Chapter 2 highlights methodology. The qualitative approach has been used to obtain information and provide data analysis. A complete analysis of knowledge management has been developed by using a case study method with secondary data to analyze how service industry uses knowledge management to manage in its sector. Chapter 3 gives theoretical frame of reference. The definitions of knowledge and culture are explained. Problems and barriers of knowledge sharing are also presented. Chapter 4 gives analysis. Conclusion is presented in the final chapter. The findings show that to improve service and customer satisfaction, the industry has to find out and use knowledge management appropriately. Knowledge management helps reducing time to find information and sharing decision making. For the last part, the discussion and recommendation from culture and knowledge affecting knowledge management in the companies has been reported. Because of the time limitation of the study, the paper focuses only on the section of service industry. An area for further study would be using other research methods such as interview to gain more in-depth understanding and survey to increase reliability and validity of this topic.

Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of MIS, University of Arizona
Our research attempted to identify the nature and causes of information management indeterminism in an online research environment and to propose solutions for alleviating this indeterminism. We conducted two empirical studies of information management activities. The first study identified the types and nature of information management indeterminism by evaluating archived texts. The second study focused on four sources of indeterminism: subject area knowledge, classification knowledge, system knowledge, and collaboration knowledge. A knowledge-based design for alleviating indeterminism, which contains a system-generated thesaurus and an inferencing engine, is also proposed in this article.

It has become generally accepted to refer to today‟s global economy as a knowledge-based economy, since knowledge has increasingly become the resource, instead of a resource for wealth creation. The ability of businesses to harness the potential of intangible assets such as knowledge has become far more decisive than their ability to manage physical assets. In the implementation of knowledge management activities, knowledge sharing is recognised as an integral task and key enabler of knowledge management. Although knowledge sharing is regarded as one of the most crucial factors in the effective management of knowledge, in knowledge-intensive businesses in particular, it has also been established that most employees are reluctant to share knowledge. Research further confirms that the factors that promote or discourage knowledge-sharing behaviour in businesses are poorly understood and that knowledge management systems fail as a result of the misunderstanding of individual characteristics that could influence knowledge sharing. Moreover, the focus of knowledge-sharing literature, in terms of the unit of analysis, is rarely at an individual/micro level, although the role of individuals in the knowledge-sharing process is critical as tacit knowledge resides within the individual and knowledge sharing starts with individuals. Given the importance of understanding knowledge sharing of individuals in knowledge-intensive businesses – but noting the lack of existing systematic, integrated research that focuses on individual-related factors influencing knowledge sharing – the purpose of this study was to fill the gap in the current literature. As such, the primary objective of this research was to identify and empirically investigate the individual-related factors influencing the Knowledge-sharing intention of individual employees in knowledge-intensive businesses. The literature review revealed twelve constructs, namely Individuals’ awareness, Intrinsic motivation, Extrinsic motivation, Transactional psychological contract breach, Relational psychological contract breach, Relationship conflict, Task conflict, Extraversion, Neuroticism, Openness to experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness that could influence the dependent variable Knowledge-sharing intention in knowledge-intensive businesses. Various moderating relationships between the dependent and independent variables were also proposed, while seven demographic variables (Age, Gender, Language, Highest qualification, Ethnic background, Organisational tenure and Job tenure of the respondent) were identified as potential control variables. Each construct in the hypothesised model of individual-related factors influencing Knowledge-sharing intention was defined and operationalised using items sourced from validated measuring instruments in previous studies. Several self-generated items based on secondary sources were also formulated. A structured questionnaire was made available to respondents identified by means of the convenience sampling technique, and the data collected from 597 usable questionnaires was subjected to various statistical analyses. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted which confirmed the unique factors present in the data, and Cronbach-alpha coefficients were calculated to confirm the reliability of the measuring instrument. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was the main statistical procedure used to test the significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. A subset of SEM, namely general linear modelling (GLM) was used to determine the influence of selected demographic variables on Knowledge-sharing intention and to assess various moderating relationships as proposed in the hypothesised model. The main findings of this study were that personality traits are strong predictors of individual employees‟ willingness to share knowledge, and that the maturity of individuals, in terms of realising the significance and value of sharing their knowledge with others, and in recognising the intrinsic benefits of sharing, influence Knowledge-sharing intention. The main limitations of the study were the use of a convenience sampling technique to collect the data, as well as the dependence of self-report by respondents, which could lead to response bias. This study has added to the body of knowledge management research, in particular knowledge-sharing research, by investigating selected individual-related factors influencing the Knowledge-sharing intention of individuals in a particular subset of businesses, namely knowledge-intensive businesses, and focusing on a particular type of knowledge, namely tacit knowledge. From a business‟s perspective, this study offers recommendations and suggestions for managing these individual-related factors in such a way as to increase knowledge sharing among employees, and as a result, the effectiveness and competitive advantage of knowledge-intensive businesses.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to develop a model for knowledge management within project management, as applied to the implementation of information technology systems in the manufacturing industry. The reason for creating models is to create an abstraction of the knowledge processes within a certain context. This model enhances the model builder's understanding of the context being studied and eases the articulation process of describing the context to other practitioners. In an economic climate where knowledge is becoming the differentiating factor for sustainable growth in shareholder value, it is critical to understand and manage knowledge. In doing so. the practically, proven benefits of knowledge management are avoidance of costly mistakes, faster problem-solving, faster development times, improved customer solutions, gaining new business. enhanced customer service and reduction of risk (Skyrme, 1999: 66-67). The model developed in this research was based on, and is an extension to Nonaka and Takeuchi's (1995) knowledge conversion model. The initiating phases of the project see the creation of a new organizational entity, the project team, formed from two originating organizations namely the supplier and the client organizations. At its inception huge amounts of knowledge is transferred to this project team. Tacit knowledge is externalized from various stakeholders and transferred as explicit knowledge into the project team. The project team at start-up also has access to tacit knowledge from the team members. During the initiating phases of the project the process is started to internalize all the knowledge acquired by the project team. The most prominent knowledge processes in action during this phase is; knowledge acquisition and knowledge transfer. The control and execution phases of the project between the initiating and close-out phases, includes phases from design, to development, to commissioning. During these phases the process of internalizing all the knowledge flowing into the project team is continued, and through the team interaction in reaching its goal, the process is taken further to socialize this knowledge. The most dominant knowledge processes taking place during this part of the project life cycle, are those of knowledge creation and knowledge retention. Knowledge creation occurs as the team strives to create a new and unique solution for the client. The project team grows and shrinks during this phase and knowledge retention within the project team becomes of paramount importance. During the close-out phases of the project, the knowledge within the project team must be externalized, and transferred out of the project tearn back into the originating organizations. The knowledge transferred out of the project team must be retained within the supplier organizations, and captured in knowledge repositories for future use. The externalized knowledge must again be internalized into the operation of the supplier organization and client organization. The knowledge transferred into the supplier organization differs from the knowledge transferred into the client organization. The most prominent knowledge processes during this phase are those of knowledge transfer and knowledge retention. This model provides a framework to understand the interaction between knowledge management, and project management concepts in this specific environment. However, this model must still be tested against other environments to determine if the application of the model is generic across industries.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om 'n model te ontwikkel om kennisbestuur binne die projekbestuurdissipline, soos toegepas in die implementering van inligtingstelsels in die vervaardigingsbedryf, te beskryf. Die rede waarom 'n model gebou word, is om 'n abstraksie van die kennisprosesse binne 'n sekere konteks voor te stel. Dit versterk die modelbouer se begrip van die konteks wat bestudeer word en vergemaklik die artikulasieproses om hierdie begrip aan ander oor te dra. In 'n ekonomiese klimaat waar kennis dikwels die onderskeidende faktor vir aanhoudende groei in aandeelhouerwaarde is, is dit krities dat die konsep van kennis se waarde verstaan en bestuur kan word. Die praktiese voordele van kennisbestuur is die vermyding van duur foute, beter probleemoplossing, verkorting van ontwikkelingstyd, beter klientoplossings, verkryging van nuwe besigheid, verbetering van klientediens en vermindering van risiko (Skynne, 1999: 66-67). Die model wat in hierdie navorsingstuk ontwikkel word, is gebaseer op en is 'n uitbreiding van Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) se kennis-omskakelingsmodel. Gedurende die inisieringsfase van die projek word 'n nuwe entiteit gevorm. Hierdie entitieit is die projekspan wat uit personeel vanaf die klient- en verskaffer-organisasies saamgestel word. Met die ontstaan van die projekspan word groot hoeveelhede kennis na die span oorgedra. Die onderskeie rolspelers moet onuitgesproke kennis ekstemaliseer en na die projekspan oordra as eksplisiete kennis. Die projekspan het ook toe gang tot onuitgesproke kennis deur die individue wat deel van die span vorm. Die proses om al die kennis wat die span bymekaar maak, te internaliseer, begin gedurende die inisieringsfase van die projek. Die mees prominente kennisprosesse in aksie gedurende hierdie projekfase, is die van kennisverkryging en kennisoordrag. Die beheer-en-uitvoeringsfase, tussen die inisierings- en finaliseringsfase van die projek, omvat die sub-fases vanaf ontwerp tot ontwikkeling tot implementering. Gedurende hierdie fase word die proses om kennis wat in die span invloei te internaliseer, voortgesit. Soos die span met mekaar en die klient interaksie het in die nastrewe van die projek se doelwit, word die proses voortgesit om kennis in die span te sosialiseer. Die mees prominente kennisprosesse in hierdie fase is die van kennisskepping en kennisbehouding. Kennis word geskep soos die span probeer om 'n nuwe en unieke oplossing vir die klient te ontwikkel. Die projekspan groei en krimp deur sy leeftyd en as gevolg hiervan word kennisbehouding 'n hoogs belangrike taak vir die projekspan. Gedurende die finaliseringsfase van die projek, moet die projekspan se kennis geeksternaliseer word en uit die span terug na die oorspronklike organisasies oorgedra word. Die kennis wat vanaf die span na die verskaffer-organisasie oorgedra word, moet vasgevang en in 'n kennisstoor vir toekomstige gebruik gestoor word. Die kennis wat vanaf die projekspan ge-eksternaliseer word, moet dan in die klient- en verskaffer-organisasies se daaglikse werking ge-internaliseer word. Die kennis wat na die verskaffer-organisasie oorgedra word, verskil van die kennis wat na die klient-organisasie oorgedra word. Die mees prominente kennisprosesse gedurende hierdie fase is die van kennisoordrag en kennisbehouding. Hierdie model stel 'n struktuur voor waarbinne die interaksie tussen kennisbestuur en projekbestuur in 'n spesifieke konteks vestaan kan word. Hierdie model moet egter nog binne ander omgewings getoets word om te bepaal of die model generies oor industriee toegepas kan word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study involves research of secondary data in the field of knowledge management. It investigates the different perspectives of how knowledge can be managed. The complexity of knowledge requires different approaches for different organisations in a variety of industries. The complexity of this field has resulted in a number of acceptable as well as unacceptable knowledge management approaches. In the study the two predominant conflicting perspectives of knowledge management is discussed. The information-processing perspective suggests that knowledge can be effectively managed through the use of information technology. The emphasis is on the capabilities of information technology with little reference to the human and cultural issues. The opposing knowledgecentric perspective emphasises that a knowledge initiative requires fundamental change that affects the strategy, structure, culture and processes within an organisation. The goal is to create an environment that is conducive to knowledge creation and sharing. In the study these contrasting perspectives are investigated. Analysis of the main points of contention provides insight into faulty assumptions that affect the credibility of an approach. The first primary area of dispute relates to the understanding of knowledge and information. According to the information processing approach knowledge and information are similar. Therefore knowledge can be managed with information processing tools. Advocates of the knowledge-centric approach disagree with this assumption. They believe that knowledge sharing and creation are subject to human interaction and creativity, and not technological systems. A clear definition and description of knowledge and information is provided. It is apparent from this discussion that there is a vast difference between information and knowledge. It is therefore false to suggest that knowledge and information can be managed with information management tools. The analysis of the factors that limit the capabilities of information management tools to provide knowledge management solutions indicates that technology merely plays an enabling role in knowledge management. Humans play the fundamental role in creating new knowledge and sharing existing knowledge. The information-processing perspective is therefore flawed, for knowledge and information cannot be equated and therefore information-processing tools cannot be used to manage knowledge.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie gebruik sekondêre data in die veld van kennisbestuur. Verskillende perspektiewe of benaderings tot kennisbestuur word ondersoek. Die kompleksiteit van kennis noodsaak dat verskillende benaderings vir verskillende organisasies gevolg moet word. Die resultaat is dat daar 'n verskeidenheid van aanvaarbare sowel as onaanvaarbare benaderings tot kennisbestuur is. In hierdie studie word die twee primêre teenoorgestelde perspektiewe van kennisbestuur bespreek. Die inligtingsverwerkingsbenadering se standpunt is dat kennis effektief bestuur kan word deur die gebruik van inligtingstegnologie. Die vermoëns van inligtingstegnologie word beklemtoon terwyl min aandag aan kulturele en menslike aspekte betee word. Die opponerende kennis-georiënteerde benadering beklemtoon dat 'n kennisbestuursinisiatief fundamentele veranderinge in die strategie, struktuur, kultuur en besigheidsprosesse van 'n organisasie vereis. Die doel is om 'n omgewing daar te stel waarin die skep en deel van kennis vrylik kan geskied. In die studie word die kontrasterende perspektiewe van kennisbestuur ondersoek. 'n Analise van die hoof konflikareas verskaf insig in foutiewe afleidings wat gemaak word. Foutiewe afleidings bevraagteken die kredietwaardigheid van 'n benadering. Die eerste primêre area van konflik kan toegeskryf word aan verskillende interpretasies van kennis en inligting. Volgens die inligtingsverwerkingsbenadering is kennis en inligting dieselfde. Kennis kan dus effektief bestuur word deur tegnologie wat geskik is vir die bestuur van inligting. Die kennisgeoriënteerde benadering beskou hierdie afleiding as foutief. Ondersteuners van hierdie benadering is van mening dat die deel en skep van kennis afhanklik is van menslike interaksie en kreatiwiteit, nie tegnologiese stelsels nie. 'n Duidelike definisie en beskrywing van kennis en inligting word voorgelê. Dit is duidelik uit hierdie bespreking dat daar 'n definitiewe verskil bestaan tussen inligting en kennis. Die aaname dat kennis en inligting deur dieselfde tegnologie bestuur kan word, is dus foutief. Die analise van die faktore wat die vermoëns van tegnologie beperk om kennisbestuursoplossings te verskaf, maak dit duidelik dat tegnologie nie kennisbestuursprobleme kan oplos nie. Mense speel die fundamentele rol in die skepping van nuwe kennis en die deel van bestaande kennis. Die inligtingsverwerkingsbenadering tot kennisbestuur sal dus nie optimale gebruik van kennisbronne verseker nie.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-152).
With the advances in telecommunications, and the introduction of the Internet, information systems achieved physical connectivity, but have yet to establish logical connectivity. Lack of logical connectivity is often inviting disaster as in the case of Mars Orbiter, which was lost because one team used metric units, the other English while exchanging a critical maneuver data. In this Thesis, we focus on the two intertwined sub problems of logical connectivity, namely data extraction and data interpretation in the domain of heterogeneous information systems. The first challenge, data extraction, is about making it possible to easily exchange data among semi-structured and structured information systems. We describe the design and implementation of a general purpose, regular expression based Cameleon wrapper engine with an integrated capabilities-aware planner/optimizer/executioner. The second challenge, data interpretation, deals with the existence of heterogeneous contexts, whereby each source of information and potential receiver of that information may operate with a different context, leading to large-scale semantic heterogeneity. We extend the existing formalization of the COIN framework with new logical formalisms and features to handle larger set of heterogeneities between data sources. This extension, named Extended Context Interchange (ECOIN), is motivated by our analysis of financial information systems that indicates that there are three fundamental types of heterogeneities in data sources: contextual, ontological, and temporal. While COIN framework was able to deal with the contextual heterogeneities, ECOIN framework expands the scope to include ontological heterogeneities as well.
(cont.) In particular, we are able to deal with equational ontological conflicts (EOC), which refer to the heterogeneity in the way data items are calculated from other data items in terms of definitional equations. ECOIN provides a context-based solution to the EOC problem based on a novel approach that integrates abductive reasoning and symbolic equation solving techniques in a unified framework. Furthermore, we address the merging of independently built ECOIN applications, which involves merging disparate ontologies and contextual knowledge. The relationship between ECOIN and the Semantic Web is also discussed. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility and features of our integration approach with a prototype implementation that provides mediated access to heterogeneous information systems.
by Aykut Firat.
Ph.D.

This presentation was made at the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the Dept. of Management Information Science, Eller College, University of Arizona, held at the Hilton El Conquistador, Tucson, AZ, Nov. 3-5, 2004. Knowledge organization (KO), knowledge representation (KR) and knowledge management (KM) are described and methods used in the models classsification research project from these disciplines are described.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In Chapter 1, the basis of the thesis is discussed, and presents the question, “How can we apply the methodologies that make up the semantic web to to the practice of knowledge management, in order to assist knowledge workers to better do their jobs?” A few premises are established and definitions provided for key concepts. Chapter 2 provides an understanding of learning and organisational theory. It covers some aspects of the history and context of organisational learning and hones in on which theories are most suited to understanding the focused area of technology enhanced learning. In Chapter 3 the focus is placed on online collaborative learning theory and why it is required as a new learning theory for the knowledge age. Chapter 4 introduces the idea of semantics and more particularly, the semantic web. Components of the semantic web and their uses are discussed before the chapter is concluded with current criticisms and industry applications of the semantic web. Chapter 5 relates what has been discussed in chapters 2 and 3 to semantic web tools discussed in chapter 4. The concept of the semantic learning organisation is introduced and the various possibilities for semantic web applications within the learning organisation are discussed. In chapter 6, several problems with the semantic web are presented after which the researcher proposes a possible solution to the problems. Finally, an example implementation is presented and a few observations explored. The thesis comes to the conclusion that implementing a semantic learning network is possible, but only by incorporating its social aspects. Guidelines are presented for organisations for implementing a semantic learning infrastructure. Avenues for further research are outlined and the parameters for the final test implementation are proposed together with a short description of possible problem areas.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Hoofstuk word die basis van die tesis bespreek, en stel die vraag: Hoe kan ons die metodologieë van die semantiese web toepas op kennisbestuur ten einde kenniswerkers te help om hul werk beter te doen? In die proses word die tesis se aannames gestel en die sleutelkonsepte gedefinieer. Hoofstuk 2 gee 'n oorsig van leer- en organisasieteorie. Dit dek 'n paar aspekte van die geskiedenis en konteks van organisatoriese leer en identifiseer daardie teorieë wat geskik is vir die verstaan van die fokus-area van tegnologie-gesteunde leer. In Hoofstuk 3 verskuif die fokus na aanlyn samewerk leer-teorie (online collaborative learning theory) en waarom dit benodig word as 'n nuwe leerteorie vir die kennis-era. Hoofstuk 4 stel die idee van semantiek en in besonder, die semantiese web, bekend. Komponente van die semantiese web en hul gebruike word beskryf en dan krities bespreek voor die hoofstuk afgesluit word met 'n oorsig van die toepassings van die semantiese web in die organisasie-wêreld. Hoofstuk 5 bring die leerteorieë van hoofstukke 2 en 3 in gesprek met die semantiese web gereedskap wat in hoofstuk 4 bespreek is. Die konsep van die semantiese leerorganisasie word hier ontwikkel en die verskillende moontlikhede vir semantiese web programme in die lerende organisasie word bespreek. Hoofstuk 6 bespreek verskeie probleme van die semantiese web, waarna gespekuleer word oor moontlike oplossings vir hierdie probleme. Ten slotte word 'n voorbeeld implementering beskryf en 'n paar waarnemings word op die basis hiervan gemaak. Die tesis kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat die implementering van 'n semantiese leer netwerk moontlik is, maar slegs deur sosiale aspekte in te sluit. Riglyne word voorgestel vir organisasies vir die implementering van 'n semantiese leer infrastruktuur. Daar word gespekuleer oor moontlike verdere navorsing en die parameters vir 'n finale toets implementering saam met 'n kort beskrywing van moontlike probleemareas.

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As can be evidenced by the conducting of Annual Knowledge Management Conferences, held in Washington, DC (most recently the DoD Knowledge Management Conference, October 2009), DoD understands the value of Knowledge Management (KM). The Air Force, Army and Navy appear to have created healthy knowledge sharing environments and practicing KM at mature levels; however, the Marine Corps is having a difficult time integrating the practice of KM into daily operations. While the Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-40.2 offers a methodology for how four classes of information should flow through the Information Hierarchy, to date, there is no published, standardized framework for how to adequately manage knowledge that exists in the Information Hierarchy, hence, the need for an actionable KM Framework that the Marine Corps can use to assist with current Information Management practices. The focus of this thesis is to assess current KM practices across the DoD, identify KM best practices in industry, as well as across the DoD, and ultimately develop a KM Framework that will leverage the powerful dynamics of Knowledge Flow Theory to assist in bridging the knowledge gap in the current Marine Corps Information Hierarchy.