ACCELERATING KNOWLEDGE ACCELERATING KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT THROUGH ICTsMANAGEMENT THROUGH ICTs

PRESENTED BY J. CHIDORAPRESENTED BY J. CHIDORA

AT 3rd SOUTHERN AFRICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION (SATA) REGIONAL HUMAN CAPITAL

DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

27 – 28 NOVEMBER 2008, WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

PRESENTATION PLANPRESENTATION PLAN

KNOWLEDGE MANANGEMENT (KM)

ICTs & HUMAN CAPITAL IN KM

ROLE OF ICTs IN KM

ACCELERATION OF KM

BARRIERS

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF KM

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

A collection of data is not information.

A collection of information is not knowledge.

A collection of knowledge is not wisdom.

A collection of wisdom is not truth.

The idea is that information, knowledge, and wisdom are more than simple collections. Rather, the whole represents more than the sum of its parts and has a synergy of its own. (Neil Fleming).

BACKGROUND CONT’DBACKGROUND CONT’D

This is what brings about knowledge management

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM)- DefinitionKNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM)- Definition

Knowledge Management is about bring knowledge to Business processes through use of people Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

KM- Definition Cont’dKM- Definition Cont’d

Organisation

KM

KM

KM

KM

KM processes

KM PROCESSESKM PROCESSES

KM involves a number of processes. Below are just a few of them

Knowledge Process

1. Develop knowledge

2. Apply knowledge

3. Access knowledge

4. Transform knowledge

5. Transfer knowledge

6. Update knowledge

7. Preserve knowledge

ENABLERS OF KMENABLERS OF KM

KM enablers

Organisation & cultureOrganisation & culture ICTsICTsIncentives and rewardsIncentives and rewards GroupwareGroupware

Roles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities Data miningData mining

BehaviourBehaviour Document retrievalDocument retrieval

LeadershipLeadership IntranetsIntranets

Knowledge based Knowledge based systemssystems

KM focuses on doing the right thing that is relevant at any given time instead of doing things right.

KM harnesses the human creativity and innovativeness needed in Organisational processes/activities.

KM fosters a learning culture that provides opportunities for continuous development and encourages worker participation.

KM symbolizes a transition from information value chain (IVC) to Knowledge Value Chain (KVC) due to ICTs developments over the years

KM Cont’dKM Cont’d

ICTs & HUMAN CAPITAL IN KMICTs & HUMAN CAPITAL IN KM ICTs have brought about changes in the work

environment where the options for where and how you work seem unlimited by today's standards.

ICTs have also made it easier for organisations to adapt to any forms of change and this change has brought about organizational growth.

ICTs and human capital contribute to Organisational change through KM

ICTs leave Knowledge workers to concentrate their time and effort on value adding activities.

ROLE OF ICTs IN KM ROLE OF ICTs IN KM

According to Digital Opportunity Initiative (DOI) there are two most powerful forces in the world today;

1. The spread of ICT

2. The global effort to achieve more widespread social and economic development

ICTs are catalyst of social and economic development.

Human capital is the key indicator in sustainable social and economic development

ROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’dROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’d

Thus the need to empower the

i. Community

ii. Employees

iii. Learners

The empowerment of the above links corporate governance and KM

ROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’dROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’d

Use of ICTs for day to day activities.

ICTs are redefining our priorities as individuals and organisations & new opportunities are being opened.

The change that ICTs bring out is that of knowledge and information sharing.

ROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’dROLE OF ICTs IN KM Cont’d

In to-day’s knowledge–economy, competitive advantage lies not in technology, finance and structure but lies

In developing people and organizations

In the cultures and value systems

In nurturing the talents and competencies of people who make up the organizations.

The knowledge society we are living in requires organisations to accelerate the development of knowledge management.

ACCELERATING KM THROUGH ICTsACCELERATING KM THROUGH ICTs

Today’s organisation requires to acknowledge intellectual assets it has together with other tangible assets.

Intellectual assets are unique competencies identified through KM

KM empowers employees and brings about commitment, a culture of learning thus bringing continuous improvement on organisational competitiveness.

Organisations need to accelerate KM for knowledge takes time to experience and acquire once lost

WHY ACCELERATE KM Cont’dWHY ACCELERATE KM Cont’d

Globalization is increases competition.

Global Financial Crisis is a wake up call to organisations.

Reduction in foreign investment

Competitive pressure from recession

Strategic change

Employee morbidity

BARRIERS TO KMBARRIERS TO KM

Earlier we said

ICT are catalyst to social and economic development

Human capital is key indicator in sustainable social and economic development.

Lack of :

effective communication channels

Employee motivation

Knowledge management road map and identification of knowledge gaps

BARRIERS TO KM Cont’dBARRIERS TO KM Cont’d

Lack of :

Acknowledgement of KVC by management

Recognition of intellectual assets

Change management

Connectivity

Availability and reliability of infrastructure to access Internet and communicate with other organisation

Power supply

BARRIERS TO KM Cont’dBARRIERS TO KM Cont’d

Cost

Although globally cost of hardware, software and Internet have reduced in developing countries it is still a challenge.

Substance and language of the context

Relevance and comprehensibility is still an issue

Digital capacity of organisation

E-readiness of organisation

Leadership perception and appreciation.

BARRIERS TO KM cont’dBARRIERS TO KM cont’d

Content

Information is one of the key factors that motivate people to use Internet.

Information can be accessible but the understanding of it can be a barrier. – access levels with the organisation.

Organisational resource allocation policies

Inter- connectivity between countries

Disparity in connectivity, access speeds, infrastructure development

Digital Divide

KM IN SADC KM IN SADC

The World Economic Forum acknowledges the role of ICT in economic growth & SADC is not spared.

Regional Associations are formed from different articles of SADC Protocols for effective regional coordination and integration.

KM IN SADC Cont’dKM IN SADC Cont’d

KM at these Associations and their members would only be recognized if the ICT infrastructure whose backbone is telecommunications is supportive.

The level of ICT infrastructure are different at organisational or national levels due to a number of reasons.

Cost of ICT infrastructure

ICT appreciation

Telecommunication infrastructure

Organisational Investment priorities

KN IN SADC Cont’dKN IN SADC Cont’d

Bottlenecks

Wireless networks still expensive in most countries in the region

VSAT – license fees a very prohibitive

Radio links not very reliable but mostly used

Microwave links expensive and law and regulations prohibitive

KN IN SADC Cont’dKN IN SADC Cont’d

Fibre optic – unreachable for many organisations

Cooper wire – vandalism common across the region

SATA to facilitate the development of telecommunication infrastructure in the regional

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION The changing world of business requires that the

organisation tap into its intellectual assets, ICT and corporate strategies to address these changes.

In the current global financial crisis the utilization of such assets becomes paramount – No-one one knows everything and collective knowledge is vital for organisations to survive.

Knowledge is power.

KM brings about creativity and innovativeness

KM is represented by data, information, knowledge and wisdom

THANK YOUTHANK YOU