an article by Sebastian Görg and Ralph Bergmann (University of Trier, Germany) published in Information Systems Volume 50 (June 2015)
Abstract
Social workflows pervade peoples’ everyday life. Whenever a group of persons works together on a challenging or multifaceted task, a social workflow begins. Unlike traditional business workflows, such social workflows aim at supporting processes that contain personal tasks and data.
In this work, we envision a social workflow service as part of a social network that enables private individuals to construct social workflows according to their specific needs and to keep track of the workflow execution. The proposed features for a social workflow service could help individuals to accomplish their private goals.
The presented idea is contrasted with established research areas and applications to show the degree of novelty of this work. It is shown how novel ideas for knowledge management, facilitated by a process-oriented case-based reasoning approach, support private individuals and how they can obtain an appropriate social workflow through sharing and reuse of respective experience.
Two empirical studies confirm the potential benefits of a social workflow service in general and the core features of the developed concept.
Showing posts with label knowledge_management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knowledge_management. Show all posts
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Monday, 14 January 2013
Intellectual capital in a recession: evidence from UK SMEs
an article by Lennox Henry, (Southampton Solent University, UK) published in Journal of Intellectual Capital Volume 14 Issue 1 (2013)
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present the findings of a qualitative investigation of intellectual capital (IC) in the engineering industry in the UK within the context of a recession.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to the fact that IC involves tacit knowledge which can often be “non-verbal” or in some cases “non verbalable”, intuitive and unarticulated (Hedlund), qualitative methodology was chosen as it allows the flexibility to explore the IC in the target population in greater detail and to explore area/ideas of interest that may have developed during the data collecting process. Ten interviews were conducted on companies chosen from the Reed Business database’s classification of precision engineering. Data collection was via a semi-structured interview, the results were coded into Nvivo and analysed.
Findings
It was discovered that there is an interrelatedness of the components of IC, knowledge of IC management as a strategy in the engineering industry is low and the academic discourse on IC is in to transferring into practical implementation.
Practical implications
There is greater need to address the practical implications and barriers to the implementation of IC management strategy within industry.
Originality/value
The author having examined the data collected and the characteristics of the responding company and the dominant element of IC within each have coined the phrases Sector of Innovative Potential (SoIP), Sector of Collaborative Potential (SoCP) and Sector of Operating Efficiency (SoOE).
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to present the findings of a qualitative investigation of intellectual capital (IC) in the engineering industry in the UK within the context of a recession.
Design/methodology/approach
Due to the fact that IC involves tacit knowledge which can often be “non-verbal” or in some cases “non verbalable”, intuitive and unarticulated (Hedlund), qualitative methodology was chosen as it allows the flexibility to explore the IC in the target population in greater detail and to explore area/ideas of interest that may have developed during the data collecting process. Ten interviews were conducted on companies chosen from the Reed Business database’s classification of precision engineering. Data collection was via a semi-structured interview, the results were coded into Nvivo and analysed.
Findings
It was discovered that there is an interrelatedness of the components of IC, knowledge of IC management as a strategy in the engineering industry is low and the academic discourse on IC is in to transferring into practical implementation.
Practical implications
There is greater need to address the practical implications and barriers to the implementation of IC management strategy within industry.
Originality/value
The author having examined the data collected and the characteristics of the responding company and the dominant element of IC within each have coined the phrases Sector of Innovative Potential (SoIP), Sector of Collaborative Potential (SoCP) and Sector of Operating Efficiency (SoOE).
Monday, 19 November 2012
The Intention to Share: Psychological Investigation of Knowledge Sharing Behaviour in Online Communities
an article by Bibi M. Alajmi (College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University) published in Journal of Information & Knowledge Management Volume 11 Issue 3 (September 2012)
Abstract
This research aims to provide an understanding of knowledge sharing behaviour through the adaptation of two major theories, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TpB) which were developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen from social psychology.
Exploring knowledge sharing from a social psychological perspective provides an understanding of the process an individual goes through to make the decision to share his/her knowledge with others as well as the different psychological factors facilitating or hindering knowledge sharing behaviour.
Research findings are based on a web-survey of 158 group members of one online community of educators, Tapped In (TI). TI is a professional online community developed and supported by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI International), and directed to enhancing the quality of teaching by developing web-based opportunities of learning and engaging.
Proposing an extended theoretical model of knowledge sharing behaviour in online community, this research tested the predictive power of five major variables on the individuals' intention to share expertise and knowledge. Variables included attitude, subjective norms, descriptive norms, controllability and knowledge sharing self-efficacy (KSSE).
The study found that normative pressures, including subjective norms and descriptive norms, had a strong influence on the formation of the individual's intention to share in this specific online community. Knowledge sharing self-efficacy also was found to significantly account for explaining the individual's motivation to share his/her knowledge with other members. Attitude and controllability were not found to have significant impacts on the formation of intention.
Abstract
This research aims to provide an understanding of knowledge sharing behaviour through the adaptation of two major theories, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TpB) which were developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen from social psychology.
Exploring knowledge sharing from a social psychological perspective provides an understanding of the process an individual goes through to make the decision to share his/her knowledge with others as well as the different psychological factors facilitating or hindering knowledge sharing behaviour.
Research findings are based on a web-survey of 158 group members of one online community of educators, Tapped In (TI). TI is a professional online community developed and supported by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI International), and directed to enhancing the quality of teaching by developing web-based opportunities of learning and engaging.
Proposing an extended theoretical model of knowledge sharing behaviour in online community, this research tested the predictive power of five major variables on the individuals' intention to share expertise and knowledge. Variables included attitude, subjective norms, descriptive norms, controllability and knowledge sharing self-efficacy (KSSE).
The study found that normative pressures, including subjective norms and descriptive norms, had a strong influence on the formation of the individual's intention to share in this specific online community. Knowledge sharing self-efficacy also was found to significantly account for explaining the individual's motivation to share his/her knowledge with other members. Attitude and controllability were not found to have significant impacts on the formation of intention.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Trust me, I'm an expert: identity construction and knowledge sharing
an article by Lesley Crane (University of Derby) published in Journal of Knowledge Management Volume 16 Issue 3 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge management (KM) is a global organizational practice that focuses on core questions around knowledge sharing and creation, and which is characterized by definitional issues and a schism over the nature of knowledge. Against this by definition problematic background, this study aims to investigate how KM practitioners construct identities as expert in an online discussion forum, showing how knowledge sharing is inextricably linked to identity construction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a discourse analytic approach, grounded in the discourse psychology paradigm, and its underlying theory that all language, including both talk and text, is situated action in social interaction, marked by variation, function and consequences.
Findings
Analysis demonstrates how forum contributors deploy discursive devices constructively, actively and relationally to formulate membership of an expert élite group, and that group membership is marked by inter-group competitive rivalry. This has synergies with the theory of creative abrasion.
Practical implications
The study has implications for KM theories and practice in showing how attention to the social-interaction practices of talk and text can reveal deeper understanding of how people share knowledge, and in demonstrating the important and consequential relationship between identity construction and knowledge.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies to take a discursive approach to the study of language in the KM domain, and demonstrates the rich potential for future studies.
Purpose
Knowledge management (KM) is a global organizational practice that focuses on core questions around knowledge sharing and creation, and which is characterized by definitional issues and a schism over the nature of knowledge. Against this by definition problematic background, this study aims to investigate how KM practitioners construct identities as expert in an online discussion forum, showing how knowledge sharing is inextricably linked to identity construction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a discourse analytic approach, grounded in the discourse psychology paradigm, and its underlying theory that all language, including both talk and text, is situated action in social interaction, marked by variation, function and consequences.
Findings
Analysis demonstrates how forum contributors deploy discursive devices constructively, actively and relationally to formulate membership of an expert élite group, and that group membership is marked by inter-group competitive rivalry. This has synergies with the theory of creative abrasion.
Practical implications
The study has implications for KM theories and practice in showing how attention to the social-interaction practices of talk and text can reveal deeper understanding of how people share knowledge, and in demonstrating the important and consequential relationship between identity construction and knowledge.
Originality/value
This is among the first studies to take a discursive approach to the study of language in the KM domain, and demonstrates the rich potential for future studies.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
After “Watson”
an article by Tom Abeles (Editor) published in On the Horizon Volume 20 Issue 1 (2012)
Abstract
Purpose
This essay aims to explore the changes that will occur in both the natural and social sciences in general and education in particular with the advent of the cloud, fast computers and sophisticated data analysis software coupled with artificial intelligence.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper looks at literature, particularly science fiction, and recent developments in technology.
Findings
With massive data and analytical capabilities existing, ubiquitously in the “cloud” coupled with low cost access via smart phones, tablets and similar technologies, the cost of knowledge acquisition will asymptotically approach zero and the movement of knowledge across geo-political boundaries will profoundly affect all across the planet.
Originality/value
The paper reveals that the potential of the levelling of knowledge will change the relationships between the developed and developing countries.
Abstract
Purpose
This essay aims to explore the changes that will occur in both the natural and social sciences in general and education in particular with the advent of the cloud, fast computers and sophisticated data analysis software coupled with artificial intelligence.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper looks at literature, particularly science fiction, and recent developments in technology.
Findings
With massive data and analytical capabilities existing, ubiquitously in the “cloud” coupled with low cost access via smart phones, tablets and similar technologies, the cost of knowledge acquisition will asymptotically approach zero and the movement of knowledge across geo-political boundaries will profoundly affect all across the planet.
Originality/value
The paper reveals that the potential of the levelling of knowledge will change the relationships between the developed and developing countries.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Out of the box – A life with rubbish information
an article by Roger James (Visiting Professor, University of Southampton) published in Business Information Review Volume 28 Number 3 (September 2011)
Abstract
Technology has been largely responsible for the revolution in information science and knowledge management over the last decade. The initial implementations, limited by technology, were concerned with content management which extended and reinforced the focus on structured, encoded and abstract material. Recently technology has extended its impact to massive, extensive messaging – or social media. Whilst social media has simply expanded available content, a more profound shift is to the new capability to manage context: recognizing the patterns of activity as a new source of information.
Context management has great potential to address complex, often social, questions providing new insights which we present in a new science of context management. Context management opens up new possibilities in productively using ‘information waste’ – perhaps collected for different purposes or as a by-product of a transactional system – and we predict new companies will emerge from the use of information waste.
Abstract
Technology has been largely responsible for the revolution in information science and knowledge management over the last decade. The initial implementations, limited by technology, were concerned with content management which extended and reinforced the focus on structured, encoded and abstract material. Recently technology has extended its impact to massive, extensive messaging – or social media. Whilst social media has simply expanded available content, a more profound shift is to the new capability to manage context: recognizing the patterns of activity as a new source of information.
Context management has great potential to address complex, often social, questions providing new insights which we present in a new science of context management. Context management opens up new possibilities in productively using ‘information waste’ – perhaps collected for different purposes or as a by-product of a transactional system – and we predict new companies will emerge from the use of information waste.
Friday, 25 September 2009
The effective use of technology in personal knowledge management: ...
A framework of skills, tools and user context
an article by by Raj Agnihotri and Marvin D Troutt published in Online Information Review Volume 33 Issue 2 (2009)
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to further explore the emerging concept of personal knowledge management (PKM) and to bring researchers’ attention to this notion. Specifically, this paper aims to address issues related to the effective utilisation of technology in PKM practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework incorporating PKM skills, technology tools, user context and skills-tools fit is proposed. Arguments are built on the task-technology fit theory, which explores the link between technology tools and task characteristics (PKM skills).
Findings
The impact of effective PKM will depend increasingly on skills-tools fit.
Practical implications
The success of technology utilisation resides not simply in whether individuals use technology, but if this usage actually improves effectiveness. For their own benefit, individuals should consider and assess the technology tools in the context of how they will be aligned with specific PKM skills.
Originality/value
Proposing a conceptual framework of PKM, this paper suggests that the core focus is individual inquest, that is, the effort to discover, share, learn and explore through combinations of technology and information skills. The importance of the user's context in the PKM process is also discussed.
an article by by Raj Agnihotri and Marvin D Troutt published in Online Information Review Volume 33 Issue 2 (2009)
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this paper is to further explore the emerging concept of personal knowledge management (PKM) and to bring researchers’ attention to this notion. Specifically, this paper aims to address issues related to the effective utilisation of technology in PKM practices.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical framework incorporating PKM skills, technology tools, user context and skills-tools fit is proposed. Arguments are built on the task-technology fit theory, which explores the link between technology tools and task characteristics (PKM skills).
Findings
The impact of effective PKM will depend increasingly on skills-tools fit.
Practical implications
The success of technology utilisation resides not simply in whether individuals use technology, but if this usage actually improves effectiveness. For their own benefit, individuals should consider and assess the technology tools in the context of how they will be aligned with specific PKM skills.
Originality/value
Proposing a conceptual framework of PKM, this paper suggests that the core focus is individual inquest, that is, the effort to discover, share, learn and explore through combinations of technology and information skills. The importance of the user's context in the PKM process is also discussed.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Semantic copyright management for internet-wide knowledge sharing and reuse
an article by Roberto García González and Rosa Gil in Online Information Review Volume 32 Issue 5
Abstract
Purpose
To extract the full potential from Internet-wide knowledge sharing and reuse, the underlying copyright issues must be taken into account and managed using digital rights management (DRM) tools. The paper aims to focus on the issues involved.
Design/methodology/approach
Traditional DRM and open licensing initiatives lack the required computerised support and flexibility to scale to Internet-wide copyright management. The authors approach is based on a semantic Web ontology that conceptualises the copyright domain.
Findings
The Copyright Ontology facilitates interoperation while providing a rich framework that accommodates copyright law and copes with custom licensing schemes.
Research limitations/implications
The ontology is based on the description logic variant of the Web Ontology Language. Despite its scalability, this variant has some limitations on expression that will be overcome with the help of semantic web rules in future versions of the ontology.
Practical implications
The ontology provides the building blocks for flexible machine-understandable licenses and facilitates implementation because existing semantic web tools can be easily reused. Moreover, existing initiatives can be mapped to the ontology to make it an interoperability hub.
Originality/value
The paper contributes a novel approach to DRM, based on semantic web technologies, that takes into account the underlying copyright legal framework. This is possible thanks to the greater expressiveness of semantic web knowledge representation tools.
Abstract
Purpose
To extract the full potential from Internet-wide knowledge sharing and reuse, the underlying copyright issues must be taken into account and managed using digital rights management (DRM) tools. The paper aims to focus on the issues involved.
Design/methodology/approach
Traditional DRM and open licensing initiatives lack the required computerised support and flexibility to scale to Internet-wide copyright management. The authors approach is based on a semantic Web ontology that conceptualises the copyright domain.
Findings
The Copyright Ontology facilitates interoperation while providing a rich framework that accommodates copyright law and copes with custom licensing schemes.
Research limitations/implications
The ontology is based on the description logic variant of the Web Ontology Language. Despite its scalability, this variant has some limitations on expression that will be overcome with the help of semantic web rules in future versions of the ontology.
Practical implications
The ontology provides the building blocks for flexible machine-understandable licenses and facilitates implementation because existing semantic web tools can be easily reused. Moreover, existing initiatives can be mapped to the ontology to make it an interoperability hub.
Originality/value
The paper contributes a novel approach to DRM, based on semantic web technologies, that takes into account the underlying copyright legal framework. This is possible thanks to the greater expressiveness of semantic web knowledge representation tools.
Friday, 16 May 2008
Oh my gawd ...
via The Obvious? by Euan [Semple] 21 April
The nightmare that called itself knowledge management would appear to be attempting to morph into wisdom management. Abandon faith all ye who enter ....
Hazel's comment:
Abandon wisdom if you think you can manage it -- most people can't even define it!
And as one commenter on this post said, we need to step back and manage information properly before moving beyond knowledge into wisdom! Euan's profile says:
I've been reading interesting ideas on this blog including discussions with other knowledge management "gurus" for some time now but this one prompted me to bring it to your attention. I'm not a fan of OMG as an exclamation of horror but in this instance "heaven preserve us" seems to reflect my feelings very accurately.
The nightmare that called itself knowledge management would appear to be attempting to morph into wisdom management. Abandon faith all ye who enter ....
Hazel's comment:
Abandon wisdom if you think you can manage it -- most people can't even define it!
And as one commenter on this post said, we need to step back and manage information properly before moving beyond knowledge into wisdom! Euan's profile says:
The Internet enables “globally distributed, near instant, person to person conversations” - are you enabling such conversations inside your organisation? Are you interested in helping your people find each other, learn from each other and to use these connections to improve your efficiency and increase your ability to innovate? In addition to 21 years culminating in a senior position in the BBC I have had five years of unparalleled experience learning how to make the most of this wired-up world of work and how businesses can prepare themselves for the challenges and the opportunities it represents. I am highly connected to the most influential movers and shakers of this new environment and my workshops, which have often been described as inspirational, have already been experienced by many diverse audiences worldwide.
I've been reading interesting ideas on this blog including discussions with other knowledge management "gurus" for some time now but this one prompted me to bring it to your attention. I'm not a fan of OMG as an exclamation of horror but in this instance "heaven preserve us" seems to reflect my feelings very accurately.
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