The Role of IT in KMS:
Knowledge Management has become an integral part of most of the organisations. Every Organisation wants to stop re-inventing the wheel and in this process wants to Mange Knowledge. The definition of Knowledge Management varies and it can be told in general forms as the creation, sharing, acquisition, transfer, application, communication, management of Knowledge.
So, where does IT come into picture in all these different steps? Or is IT that important to manage these several steps? Information Technology does play a major role in Knowledge Management. However, it is not necessary that IT alone drives Knowledge Management System. In short, IT supports Knowledge Management Systems. And traditional methods are also present other than IT to support KMS. Traditional methods are also effective, however depends on many aspects when it comes to comparing which one among the two i.e., traditional methods or IT and coming to a conclusion on which one is the best. Smaller organisations can go with the traditional methods instead of employing IT systems, however it depends on the organisation alone whether it want to employ IT or not.
Analysis:
Most of the organisations use Information Technology to store the knowledge from different individuals and create a database of all the entries so that it will be useful in the future. But use of IT is not limited solely to this application. Many of us have a misconception that IT means the use of computers. But, it is not true. It may be the use of technologies like Video Conferencing which helps in the transfer of an individuals knowledge that is Tacit Knowledge. (Nonaka and Takeuchi 1995). The main role of IT should be to support the organisation by building a hassle free environment within the organisation and to build co-operation within the individuals rather than just to store the explicit knowledge. (Dougherty 1999). The main use of storing the explicit knowledge is to prevent the risk of Knowledge loss when an individual leaves the organisation. By storing the knowledge in the repositories, such kind of loss can be overcome.
So what are the other efficient ways other than IT? The traditional methods such as usage of Telephones, Meetings, Formal training are also effective. Knowledge transfer occurs through Telephones and is also a quicker way. Group meetings lead to Brainstorming sessions that are very efficient. Howevr, IT also plays a major role when it comes to the usage of Internet and Intranet. Both are highly productive and effivient and help in the transfer of both tacit and explicit knowledge fastly. Emails can also be used to share a single piece of information with many other individuals at a single point of time with low cost, much effective and with much faster results not only within the organisation but also outside the organisation like either with the clients or the customers.
Conclusion:
IT does have many disadvantages in terms of security. There is a danger prone every time regarding the safety of information stored or all the secrets of the organisation may be disclosed to the outer world. However, this is a risk associated with every methoad including the traditional methods also. For example, the telephones may be tapped. So, organisationas must follow strict security in order to prevent the organisation's secrets from leaking out. So, IT is not the only way for the development of KMS but it is also a way that supports the developement of KMS. It may not be true that every company using IT has to be successful and the organisation that is not using IT must incur failure. IT supports KMS.
References:
Knowledge Management has become an integral part of most of the organisations. Every Organisation wants to stop re-inventing the wheel and in this process wants to Mange Knowledge. The definition of Knowledge Management varies and it can be told in general forms as the creation, sharing, acquisition, transfer, application, communication, management of Knowledge.
So, where does IT come into picture in all these different steps? Or is IT that important to manage these several steps? Information Technology does play a major role in Knowledge Management. However, it is not necessary that IT alone drives Knowledge Management System. In short, IT supports Knowledge Management Systems. And traditional methods are also present other than IT to support KMS. Traditional methods are also effective, however depends on many aspects when it comes to comparing which one among the two i.e., traditional methods or IT and coming to a conclusion on which one is the best. Smaller organisations can go with the traditional methods instead of employing IT systems, however it depends on the organisation alone whether it want to employ IT or not.
Analysis:
Most of the organisations use Information Technology to store the knowledge from different individuals and create a database of all the entries so that it will be useful in the future. But use of IT is not limited solely to this application. Many of us have a misconception that IT means the use of computers. But, it is not true. It may be the use of technologies like Video Conferencing which helps in the transfer of an individuals knowledge that is Tacit Knowledge. (Nonaka and Takeuchi 1995). The main role of IT should be to support the organisation by building a hassle free environment within the organisation and to build co-operation within the individuals rather than just to store the explicit knowledge. (Dougherty 1999). The main use of storing the explicit knowledge is to prevent the risk of Knowledge loss when an individual leaves the organisation. By storing the knowledge in the repositories, such kind of loss can be overcome.
So what are the other efficient ways other than IT? The traditional methods such as usage of Telephones, Meetings, Formal training are also effective. Knowledge transfer occurs through Telephones and is also a quicker way. Group meetings lead to Brainstorming sessions that are very efficient. Howevr, IT also plays a major role when it comes to the usage of Internet and Intranet. Both are highly productive and effivient and help in the transfer of both tacit and explicit knowledge fastly. Emails can also be used to share a single piece of information with many other individuals at a single point of time with low cost, much effective and with much faster results not only within the organisation but also outside the organisation like either with the clients or the customers.
Conclusion:
IT does have many disadvantages in terms of security. There is a danger prone every time regarding the safety of information stored or all the secrets of the organisation may be disclosed to the outer world. However, this is a risk associated with every methoad including the traditional methods also. For example, the telephones may be tapped. So, organisationas must follow strict security in order to prevent the organisation's secrets from leaking out. So, IT is not the only way for the development of KMS but it is also a way that supports the developement of KMS. It may not be true that every company using IT has to be successful and the organisation that is not using IT must incur failure. IT supports KMS.
References:
- Egbu,C.O and Botterill,K 2002, 'Information Technologies for Knowledge Management: their Use and Effectiveness', 'Electronic Journal of Information Technology in Construction',7, Special issue; 'ICT for Knowledge Management in Construction', 125 37. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from: www.itcon.org/2002/8.
- Alavi,M and Leidner,D 1999, 'Knowledge Management Systems: Emerging Views and Practices from the Field, Communications of the AIS'. Retrieved March 31, 2009, from: google scholar.
- McDermott,R 1999, 'Why Information Technology Inspired but Cannot Deliver Knowledge Management','California Management Review',Vol41,No.4. Retrieved March 31, 2009 from: google scholar.
- Malhotra,Y. eds. 2001, 'Knowledge management and business model innovation', Hershey, PA: Idea Group Publishing.
hi srujan
ReplyDeletei have seen your article your article shows that you have good grip on this subject as you have given very good examples
I have read the complete artical however I agree at onepoint if you say IT does not play a major role in an SMALL organisation, however it is seen that IT does play major role in knowledge managment.
ReplyDeleteHi , i went through ur article , it explains every thin in detail, however u have stated that IT are better for larger firms and the smaller firms to go ahead with the traditional method. does it mean the smaller firms dont implement it in knowledge management?
ReplyDeletehi madhu,
ReplyDeletethank you for youe comments. It doesnt mean that smaller firms donot implement in KM however, i mean to say that it is not yet as effective considered to the implementation done bby larger firms.