Knowledge Management

Concepts and practices of knowledge management are soon approaching mainstream adoption, and this focuses not on fundamental definitions of knowledge and strategy, but on more practical applications of knowledge management tools and technologies in industry. Knowledge Management Tool, in a sense, are the “face and place” as well as the “nuts and bolts” of knowledge in the 21st century workspace.

“If the smart manager knows one thing, it is that knowledge management is not just about technology. But, if the smart manager knows two things, the second is that in today’s age of technology-driven communication and information production, the role technology can play to facilitate knowledge managementshould be examined”. Information and communication technologies play a key role in facilitating knowledge management in today’s globalized company, which operates in a complex web of partnerships and alliances. However, it is important to keep in mind that technology is not the panacea for a knowledge management practice, though an easy-to-use knowledge-sharing infrastructure is an important enabler.

Organization-wide access to knowledge managementarchitecture, Web-based applications, groupware, data mining tools, mobile devices, worldwide access, high performance, user friendliness, a standardized structure, and an easily administered controlling system are key requisites of the supporting knowledge management infrastructure. We realized fairly early that the knowledge management initiative has to be, of essence, peoplecentric.

Nevertheless, technology has been an important dimension in our efforts to demonstrate the multiple possibilities of knowledge management to our people, draw them to the movement, and help keep them committed. In this journey, a key lesson we have learnt is that unless people are able to see and experience the direct benefits of knowledge management, no amount of incentives, rewards or recognitions are likely to elicit sustained enthusiasm, participation and involvement”.

Knowledge management enabling tools thus play a useful facilitating role in learning organizations, especially in dealing with the “info-glut” or information overload that is plaguing most organizations that have launched an intranet, enterprise resource planning (ERP), or Business Intelligence Systems.

While amplifying existing knowledge processes, information technology(IT) tools can also create new kinds of knowledge experiences in the long run, particularly among generations of users who grow up in IT-pervasive environments. Technology enables new knowledge behaviours.

Tools that currently fall under the Knowledge managementumbrella have evolved in various phases since the 1980s, starting off with IT tools for computation and databases, followed by publishing and communication tools, and then accompanied by sophisticated platforms for collaboration, wireless delivery, search, and network modelling. From automated agents to workflow tools, knowledge management technologies span almost the entire alphabetical spectrum.

While technologies and tools should not be the sole focus of knowledge management efforts, culture and capacity building are as important. Knowledge Management Toolare finding increasing support from management in terms of being able to address some of their business pressures.

According to a new study, companies are increasingly leaning on more and better methods of assessing economic uncertainty to reach elusive growth targets. Most notably, contingency planning and knowledge management rose through the ranks, both in usage and satisfaction.