Knowledge Management in Practice: An Exploratory Case Study by Shan L. Pan & Harry Scarbrough...
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Transcript of Knowledge Management in Practice: An Exploratory Case Study by Shan L. Pan & Harry Scarbrough...
Knowledge Management in
Practice: An Exploratory Case Study
by Shan L. Pan & Harry Scarbrough
Presented by: Jonathan Cullum Kelly Powell &
LaPortia James
Case Study of Buckman Laboratories
Introduction: Researchers have outlined the theoretical case for knowledge management.
Claim: with product life-cycles shortening and technologies becoming more imitable, organizational knowledge emerges as a competitive advantage by virtues of its tacitness, difficult in being copied, and immobility.
Problem: Difficult to relate to business
Partly due to the very qualities of tacitness which lend this importance is an elusive item for practitioners.
Absence of a framework for managing knowledge is becoming a more critical problem for managers
An attempt to shed some light
2 Specific objectives: Develops an analysis of knowledge management
from an integrated socio-technical perspective.
Study uses case study of Buckman Laboratories to examine the dynamics of successful knowledge management practices, and to consider the extent to which these practices can be used by other companies.
Towards a Socio-technical Perspective on Knowledge Management
In proposing the socio-technical perspective there are some considerations.
1- number of studies recognizes holistic view (more than sum of parts) between social and technical factors.
2- refocuses attention on the work process itself 3- compatibility between social and technical
subsystems is the key to meeting the needs of customers
4- provides a suitably synthetic analytical space to consider all factors in a even-handed way.
Socio-technical perspective (aka STS) defined
Describes a method of viewing organizations emphasizing the interrelated functioning of the social and technological subsystems of the organization and the relation of the organization as a whole to the environment in which it operates.
Analyzing Knowledge Management
Socio-technical thinking originated from the “systems perspective” on organization.
More recently analyses stress the interplay between technology and the organization.
Relevancy Need to distinguish between different types
of knowledge- tacit and explicit
Explicit knowledge is systematic and hard data.
Tacit knowledge- resides in the heads of those working
Structuring of Knowledge Management Systems
Three major layers or interaction: Infrastructure: hardware/software enabling
contact Infostructure: formal rules governing
exchange of network Infoculture: stock of background knowledge
Method of Research Qualitative approach
Single Case Study Semi-structured Interviews On-site Observations (6 Weeks) Secondary Data
Case Study:Buckman Laboratories
Organizational Background Manufacturer of specialist chemicals
for aqueous industrial systems $300 million company (Sept 1999) International – 102 countries 1000 specialty chemicals
K’NETIX® Customer knowledge Competitive intelligence Process knowledge Product knowledge
Corporate Knowledge Factual corporate knowledge
Technological know-how Market know-how
Behavioral corporate knowledge Social interaction of individuals and organizations
Proprietary knowledge Codified
KM Development Historical (1945-1991)
International expansion Problem-solving Knowledge vision
Transformative (1992-1998) Knowledge sharing Organizational learning
Analysis of Infrastructure Knowledge Architecture
Elements: humans, organizational entities, documents, books, other knowledge repositories, and operating entities
Process: Knowledge Management Transfer Department
K’Netix®: connecting knowledge suppliers and users worldwide
Organizational Knowledge Repository (Memory) K’Netix®: electronic forums, bulletin boards,
virtual conference rooms, libraries, and e-mail
Analysis of Infostructure Knowledge sharing process
Customer Questions/Concerns
Technical-sales People/Field-based associates
Posted to forum Subject matter expert
Forum Specialist
Volunteer SectionLeaders
Analysis of Infostructure Global Access
Region-focus Forums TechForum (US) EuroForum (Europe) LatinoForum (Latin America) AAAForum (Asia, Australia, & Africa)
Analysis of Infoculture Culture promotes knowledge sharing Knowledgeable experts at all levels of the
corporation can interact, share new ideas, and problem solve
Remember!!!!
For a knowledge management project to be successful, an organization MUST have a knowledge-enterprising culture.
Infoculture cont…. A knowledge-enterprising culture is difficult
to build from scratch, but at Buckman management was proactive in the effort
There was a 90% cultural change
Re-Learning Buckman used a process of re-learning to
achieve a knowledge enterprising culture Employees who share knowledge are the
most influential and others would seek their advisement
Trust…
A top executive in the company explained that trust is a huge part of knowledge sharing. Stop hoarding knowledge and start sharing it within the company (369).
According to this executive, “The most valuable employee is one who becomes a source of knowledge and actively shares that knowledge with other people.”
Infroculture final thoughts Everyone is encouraged to become
knowledge entrepreneurs Encourages employees to take risks,
innovate, and quit asking for instructions Knowledge Entrepreneurship is rewarded Innovations and inquiry are promoted
Top Management in Knowledge Entrepreneurship
MUST have a shared vision Management must coordinate this vision This provides focus and energy Gives meaning to everyone (individual role) Provides a picture of the company’s future
Implementing Vision A combination of perceptions and employees’
attitudes are necessary in conjunction with leadership.
The study showed that Buckman top management acted as role models for learning and knowledge sharing
“Facilitating changes in the area of knowledge management requires proactive entrepreneurial support from the top.”
About Bob… Pioneering figure in knowledge
management Trained in chemical engineering and
business Joined his father’s company Fascinated by organizational dynamics and
the challenges computers could present
Trust Bob Buckman accredits trust as being a
main ingredient to successful knowledge sharing
“You cannot empower someone that you do not trust and who does not trust you” (370).
Use rewards and sanctions to overcome resistance
Communities of Practice at Buckman Evolved informally by those using virtual
systems to solve problems Small sub-groups of people, built around
participation Sharing knowledge outside the community
is difficult to enforce Managers have a hard time understanding
and building a system around this process
Buckman’s Strategy Part One- Efficiently deliver a solution to
increase customer satisfaction and confidence in a supplier.
Part Two- Employees’ should be empowered with knowledge in order to satisfy customer needs better than the competitor
If you work at Buckman…. Learn as much as possible Contribute Knowledge to the system Participate in distributing knowledge to
customers In the long run, customers receive the
benefit
Knowledge Management Strategy For success, a clear and conscious
strategy is necessary Since the 1980’s Buckman has consciously
decided to compete in terms of knowledge
Today’s Challenge New arrangements and roles of the
company, not technology, challenge knowledge management
Conclusion Knowledge management involves more
than technology Must have a culture with new roles and
constructs Changes the structure of the organization,
including communication patterns Integrate knowledge with business
objectives
Locations North America Europe/Middle East Latin America Africa Pacific Rim
Products
Pulp, Paper, Tissue Repulping and deinking Products targeted to the middle market
water treatment segment Breakthrough chemistries for the leather
industry
K’Netix A single communications network which
incorporates all of Buckman’s knowledge and experience, and allows employees to focus all capabilities on customer’s challenges (buckman.com).
Thanks For Listening!!
Any Questions?