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What is knowledge?
Defined as: the range of one’s information or understanding. From Webster’s Dictionary.
Breaking it down: If knowledge is a range of information, then: Information is knowledge Information is data Data is information
Usable Representations
Defined as: the knowledge as being that which is embodied in usable representation.
Two key notions: Representation
Is some arrangement in time/space Ex. Diagrams, photographs, mental
patterns, etc.
Usable Representations
Usability Defined as: the amount of usable
information perceived by the processor. Determined by the degree of the
processor’s speed, accuracy and action taken
Knowledge States
Six states: Data: lowest level, gathering state Information: second level, selection
state Structured Information: third level,
analyzing state Insight: fourth level, synthesizing state Judgment: fifth level, weighing state Decision: Final level, evaluation state
Stocks and Flows
Stocks: inventory of knowledge available to processors
Flows: Two types: Knowledge transferal from one stock to
another Knowledge flow from a stock into itself Equated to learning
Knowledge Versus Information
KVI perspective: Views knowledge as a state in its own right Aimed to define knowledge by
differentiating it from information or data
Thus, data is turned into information and information is turned into knowledge
Knowledge and Technology
1990’s was the rise of Knowledge Management and at the same time tremendous advances in computing and communication technology
Extremes KM has nothing to do with technology KM is all about technology
Technology is Incidental
Knowledge Uniquely human, only existing in the
context of human interpretation and processing
Data or Information Knowledge that can be represented and
processed by humans or computers
What happens if technology is eliminated?
Ernst & Young vanishes Knowledge would be face to face or
faxed, not through e-mail Knowledge repositories would be
human memory or pieces of paper, not web pages or databases
Search engines, Web crawlers would be of no importance
Technology is Everything
Technology is not Knowledge Management Technology vendors would become the primary
sources for KM solutions Technology would become an end in and of
itself, without attention to its consequences People would be seen as supporting the
technology, instead of the technology enabling or amplifying human knowledge processing abilities
The Middle Path
Knowledge management is concerned with people, technology, organizations, and the fits among them
Focuses Representations that human processors find to
be usable and methods/practices for effectively managing these representations and processors to max. usability and improve outcomes in the context of organizational and technological environments.
The Middle Path
The representations that computer-based processors can utilize in accomplishing various tasks
The enterprise as a processor, custodian, and user of knowledge
The alignment and coordination of the various knowledge-related elements
Computer-Based Technology: A Servant of KM
CBT Computer Information Systems (CIS),
Management Systems (MIS) CBT has transformed how
knowledge work is done Descriptive Knowledge: data and info at
the low end to problem solutions, designs and decisions at the high end
Computer-Based Technology: A Servant of KM
Procedural Knowledge: specifying the steps for performing some task
Reasoning Knowledge: specifying what conclusion is valid when a particular situation exist
Computer Based Technology Emerged Emphasis
Data processing systems
1950’s-1960’s
Representation of low grade descriptive knowledgeRecording transactionsProducing transactions
Management Information systems
1960’s-1970’s
Representation of low to middle grade descriptive knowledgeRecord keeping based on transactionsProducing predefined types of reports that organize data into more usable chunks of info
Decision Support Systems
1970’s-1990’s
Representation of descriptive, procedural, and/or reasoning knowledgeUse of knowledge to solve (or find) problemsDelivery of knowledge needed by a decision maker in a desired formatPossibly, on the spur-of-the-momentPossibly, in response to unanticipated or novel knowledge needsIncludes modeling systems, expert systems, online analytical processing, business intelligence systems
Organizational computing systems
1980’s-1990’s
Facilitates knowledge flows and reuse among multiple participants in some organizational formMay involve descriptive, procedural and/or reasoning knowledgeIncludes groupware, collaboration systems, workflow systems, enterprise systems, inter-organizational systems, adaptive systems
Ubiquitous Computing 1990’s- Universal, non-stop availability of knowledge and knowledge processorsIncludes Web-based, mobile , and embedded computing systems
Computer-Based Technology: A Servant of KM
1. CBT researchers are KM researchers We do not develop and deploy technology for its own
sake, but because it helps us to better deal with knowledge of various types and in various gradations enroute to better individual and organizational performance
2. Opportunities for research that improves on current CBT
Human and computer-based knowledge processors Supporting and performing knowledge manipulation
task Assisting in the measurement, control, coordination,
and leadership of knowledge Helping ensure that the right knowledge gets to the
right processor
Computer-Based Technology: A Servant of KM
3. We need to better understand the users and usage of CBT in KM
What works and under what conditions? What does not work, and why? What CBT advances and breakthroughs are
needed?4. We need to study outcomes of using CBT in KM
What are its competitive impacts? How can CBT be used to implement a knowledge
chain activity? How can CBT be used to enhance productivity,
agility, innovation, or reputation as a means for competitive advantage?
Knowledge Attributes
Attribute: a dimension in which different instances can vary.
Nature of Dimensions:1. Mode Type: is it explicit or implicit?2. Descriptive vs. Procedural Vs
Reasoning: does it describe characterize the stare of some world? Or
Knowledge Attributes
Nature of Dimensions:Or such as in reasoning it specifies what
action to take in a specific situation3. Domain: the subject where the knowledge
is used such as marketing engineering policy manufacturing...etc
4.Orientation: this distinguishes between knowledge directed toward subjects and
Nature of Dimensions in Knowledge
Knowledge directed toward other processes.
5. Applicability: Ranges from global to local knowledge; the knowledge applicability is determined by where can this piece of knowledge be used globally or locally.
6.Accessibility: we measure this by:- Clarity: is it easily understandable.
Accessibility Measuring
- Meaning: must make sense- Relevance: must be useful to the
situation in which we are trying to resolve.
- Importance: it must be crucial for the task we are trying to accomplish.
Nature of Dimensions in Knowledge
7.Validity and source: the knowledge should me accurate and correct. It must be consistent and helps deliver results.
8. Immediacy, Age: Knowledge should be known to be current or was it acquired in the past. Also, knowledge will range from old established to new knowledge.
Conclusion
- Investigation of knowledge has occupied mankind for years.
- It is part of the knowledge development cycle to keep investigating knowledge and seeking new evidence
- The best example of development of knowledge is the development of the scientific theory