Collaborative Knowledge Management (CKM) and Enterprise Knowledge Management

Abstract

Chapter Preview

Top

Background

Knowledge is defined by the Encarta Dictionary as “general awareness or possession of information, facts, ideas, truths, or principles.” KM is defined in this article as “the collection of processes that govern the creation, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge” (Newman, 2005). The importance of KM is that it is the key to deriving productivity from Drucker’s (1959) archetypal “knowledge worker” (defined as a person who can make a living based on the knowledge in her head). If a “knowledge worker” can have access to key information, this can potentially lead to an increase in individual innovation, productivity, and, ultimately, the company’s profitability.

According to Laise, Migliarese, and Verteramo (2005):

Knowledge workers represent people who constantly enrich and enhance their knowledge and skills to create value. Knowledge workers can use their competence to create value by transferring and converting knowledge to create better processes, new designs for products, licenses, trademarks, patents, customer relationships, brand awareness, reputation and consumer satisfaction and so on. (p. 125)

The problem is, according to Plewes (2004), that:

companies have long tried to both make sense of all the information that they have collectively accumulated over time and try to capture the business-critical information that resides in the heads of their key employees. Knowledge management promised to provide the wherewithal for capturing and disseminating this business-critical information.

However, many companies have been unable to convert upon the promise of KM because of various technology, process, or people issues (see Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Some common issues organizations have while implementing knowledge management systems

These issues (most of which can be solved by good strategic planning and project management) can lead to ineffective KM systems. In fact, Tanner (2004) suggests that one third of major enterprise KM solutions do not meet expectations. Even when effective, theorists believe that the real payoff for KM comes when it is shared across the organization in a collaborative manner. Making the information available to all relevant stakeholders can lead to increased innovation and learning across the organization.

Collaborative knowledge management is about capturing the information that is in people’s heads and sharing it in a collaborative manner (e.g., an open, application-independent framework that allows all to have access to it). In order to make use of the knowledge that exists in organizations, an authoring process (also referred to the content management process) must be undertaken that categorizes and places important information into a shared resource (often referred to as a knowledge repository) that can be assessed by all relevant stakeholders. According to Plewes (2004), CKM differs from “navigational knowledge management,” which is more focused on trying to glean knowledge (typically through using search tools) from the information that companies have collected.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Web-Based Training (WBT): This is a form of computer-based education or training where the training material resides on the Internet and is accessible using a Web browser. This form of training typically incorporates multiple types of media elements into the content including text, graphics, animation, audio, and video. May be facilitated by a trainer or be in a self-directed, asynchronous format.

Learning Management Systems (LMS): This is a software system that tracks employee training and possibly competencies. Typically, a LMS will track individual worker progress, record scores of quizzes and tests within an online learning program, and track course completions. May be integrated with a Human Resources Information System (HRIS).

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): This is a software solution that helps enterprise businesses manage customer relationships. CRM systems are databases that may contain detailed customer information about customers so they can be matched with products, service requirements, and so forth.

Collaborative Knowledge Management (CKM): This is a system to capture the information that is in people’s heads and share it in a collaborative manner. In order to make use of the knowledge that exists in organizations, an authoring process must be undertaken that categorizes and places important information into a shared resource (often referred to as a “knowledge repository”) that can be assessed by all relevant stakeholders.

Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS): These systems support a worker so that they will be more successful and productive in their work. It can be any type of electronic system that supports workers with flows of data and information. These systems are very important in the new age of work because workers have become inundated with data and information, and it is imperative that they learn how to organize and consolidate it quickly and accurately. The payback for EPSS lies in its ability to adapt, change, and evolve to meet the changing needs of workers who utilize these systems.

Human Capital Management (HCM): This refers to the management of the human capital or competencies that exist within the organization. Just as in KM, HCM is a method that if the assets (competencies residing within employees) are not managed and utilized within the organization, then the organization will not derive the competitive advantages they offer.

Knowledge Management (KM): The process by which an enterprise consciously and comprehensively gathers, organizes, shares, and analyzes its knowledge to further its aims. This knowledge is usually gathered and stored in a knowledge repository.