Showing items 1 - 20 of 58

Your selections:

A consulting strategy dealing with management constraints of self-service business intelligence

- Gaorekwe, Sedigilwe Vincent

  • Authors: Gaorekwe, Sedigilwe Vincent
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Information technology , Business intelligence , Self-service (Economics) , Systems integration
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/272659 , uj:29034
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: For many organisations, as business needs change, the need for better decision support systems increases. Which is why many organisations today embark on a journey of transitioning from traditional way of doing business intelligence to self-service business intelligence (SSBI). As is with many a new technology, SSBI presents different challenges to companies, therefore, to effectively deal with these challenges, it is critical to align IT and business strategies. To get real value out of the investment made on SSBI, companies tend to outsource the implementation and management of the solution to known consulting firms to assist them with effective ways of dealing with challenges posed by the solution. Which is why this study embarked on a journey of developing a practical working framework for a consulting firm named C-firm, which can then be used as a strategy to deal with management constraints of SSBI for its clients. A single case study was conducted between C-Firm and its clients to explore management constraints of SSBI, which include data governance and management, supporting infrastructure, context, and systems integration, and to subsequently develop a practical working framework for implementing and managing SSBI solution. The interactive approach model by Maxwell Loomis (2003), informed this case study research design. The flexibility of the interactive approach model best suited this study because it allowed different components of the study to interact with each other. A conceptual framework, which is one of the components of the interactive approach model, helped the researcher to focus on those factors that could assist in gaining understanding of the management issues associated with SSBI and how C-Firm can assist its clients in dealing with those issues. The research choice for this study was mixed method, mixed-model research. This means quantitative and qualitative data were collected, and researcher used quantitative analysis procedures to report on the findings. Data collection instruments used were semi structured interviews and an online questionnaire with open-ended and close-ended questions. The empirical study involved gathering data from both C-Firm’s employees and its clients. The research participants were nineteen (19) BI developers from C-Firm, and from C-Firm’s clients’ nine (9) BI developers and five (5) BI managers. The key findings of the empirical study in terms of data governance and management, supporting infrastructure, context, and systems integration were then used to develop a...
  • Full Text:

A design option for optimising knowledge worker expertise

- Ramsey, Mark Allan

  • Authors: Ramsey, Mark Allan
  • Date: 2010-11-09T06:34:37Z
  • Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management , Organizational effectiveness , Leadership
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6962 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3470
  • Description: D.Phil. , The success of an organisation depends on the mental capability of a comparatively small number of highly proficient knowledge workers who innovate and clarify the business processes others must act on (Zemke, 2004). Many organisations utilise knowledge worker expertise to create a competitive advantage, but this expertise is not incorporated into the business processes and routine operations of the organisation. Organisational design does not create the conditions under which an organisation can optimise knowledge worker expertise (Grant, 1996). As a consequence, when the knowledge worker leaves the organisation, the knowledge created is lost and the competitive advantage is not sustainable. One of the foremost objectives of an organisation must be to optimise knowledge worker expertise to produce new products, services or ways of working for sustaining competitive advantage (Gold, Malhotra & Segards, 2001). Organisational design continues to be seen as the process of assembling and fine-tuning an organisation’s structure to achieve its goal. Much has been written about knowledge, knowledge management, the knowledge-based organisation and the knowledge worker. However, current organisational design methodologies do not place emphasis on the optimisation of knowledge worker expertise (Grant, 1996). For knowledge workers to contribute sufficiently to the production of new products, services or ways of working, consideration must be given to their motivation. Despite all our achievements in technology and product improvements, knowledge workers are not thriving in the organisations they work for because organisations are not clear about where knowledge workers fit and how their contribution is valued. Covey (2004) asserts that managers are still applying the Industrial Age control model to knowledge workers. For an organisation to succeed in the new economy, knowledge workers must be intrinsically motivated so that they can reach new heights of fulfilment (Covey, 2004).
  • Full Text:

A framework for identifying master data from business processes

- Ndlozi, Joshua Gugu

  • Authors: Ndlozi, Joshua Gugu
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Database security , Data protection , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/237766 , uj:24367
  • Description: M.Com. (Information Technology Management) , Abstract: The recent advancement in information technology has prompted many organisations to review their business strategies. One of the prominent areas concerning business executives is data management. The introduction of new technology such as the ‘internet of things’ continues to present serious challenges within the data management discipline. Systems that used to be siloed are now expected to share data and integrate with other systems. The integration and sharing of data across systems presents serious data management challenges. Business executives are responding to this challenge by turning to master data management. The lack of research studies and research papers in this field show the immaturity of the master data management discipline. This makes business executives have less interest in master data management and therefore reduces any investment into research on the subject. New data governance legislation and regulations such as those set out in the Protection of Personal Information Act are now forcing business executives to be accountable for the data they own. This presents a serious challenge for business executives as the master data management discipline has not been well-researched. The implementation of a master data management program is very challenging and the current best practices are too generic to be applicable in every company. Within the South African boundaries, there are no known master data management frameworks that can be used to facilitate the implementation of master data management programs. This dissertation uses an exploratory, phenomenographic research approach to learn about master data management. The aim of the exploratory approach was to develop the required knowledge, establish priorities and develop the concepts of master data management more clearly. One of the challenges of implementing master data management is the identification of master data objects from the business processes. Keywords: Enterprise information management, data management, master data management, information technology, process management, data architecture, information quality, IT portfolio management, information security.
  • Full Text:

A framework for sharing tacit knowledge within SMMEs : a South African Study

- Seseni, Lawrance, Mbohwa, Charles

  • Authors: Seseni, Lawrance , Mbohwa, Charles
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , SMMEs , Tacit knowledge
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213980 , uj:21221 , Seseni, L & Mbohwa, C. 2016. A framework for sharing tacit knowledge within SMMEs : a South African Study.
  • Description: Abstract: This study aims to develop a framework for effectively sharing knowledge within SMMEs that are situated in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a qualitative approach. It was discussed that tacit knowledge is an intangible resource and intellectual capital that is not easily transferred to other people because some employees of the employees are not eager to share their knowledge. This can be as desire of having an upper hand over their colleagues. However, this paper discovered that in order for effective knowledge sharing to take place there must be a culture of sharing within the organization, those who are sharing and receiving knowledge must be given sufficient time so that sharing may be effective, management must support their subordinates by means of giving them the resources that they may need, there must be effective teamwork, employees must be committed and motivated, effective communication and the must be trust between the employees themselves and employees and their employers. Further research should be done on the correlations between the framework’s independent variable and the dependent variables of sharing knowledge within SMMEs.
  • Full Text:

A strategy for knowledge management

- Rademan, Johan Andries Muller

A theoretical assessment of the performance of Small and Medium Sized Enterprise through lmowledge management in the South Africa construction industry

- Mametja, W., Aigbavboa, C.O.

Administrative professional's role in the processing, retrieval, dissemination and repackaging of information in the networked enterprise

- Thomas, Henda Judith

  • Authors: Thomas, Henda Judith
  • Date: 2008-06-23T13:33:47Z
  • Subjects: Administrative assistants , Information organization , Information retrieval , Office information systems , Knowledge management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:3445 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/683
  • Description: The purpose of this research was to establish the administrative professional's role in the processing, retrieval, dissemination and repackaging of digital information in the networked enterprise, and to determine how the administrative professional can add value to the organisation and enhance its competitive position in industry. The digital economy has changed business practices to such an extent that research of the digital office environment and the administrative professional’s role in this new world of work has become necessary. This research subsequently aimed to clarify the administrative professional’s role as an information specialist in the organisation. The following sub-questions were formulated for this project: · What is the current profile of the administrative professional in the organisation? · What changes have taken place in the digital environment? · What are the current technological and information systems skills of the administrative professional? · How can the administrative professional add value to the enterprise in the digital environment? The profile of the administrative professional in the organisation was discussed with specific reference to the history, duties and etymology of the administrative professional. The traditional methods of handling information flow were also investigated. The digital environment was also evaluated. It was found that due to rapid changes in the digital environment, employers’ key expectations of their administrative staff were also changing. Research conducted indicated that employers expect administrative iii professionals to be skilled in new and emerging technologies and show a high degree of information management skills. New Information management skills were evaluated within the framework of information systems available in the networked enterprise. These statements were evaluated and the following aspects amongst others discussed: · The way that the enterprise conducts business in the digital economy. · The latest information technology advances and trends. · Information infrastructure and architecture. · Management of information sources in the enterprise. · Strategic information systems necessary for competitive advantage. · The Web revolution. · Developments in electronic commerce (EC). · The different organisational applications. · Knowledge Management (KM). · Managerial systems and decision support systems (DSS). · Data management such as warehousing, analysing, mining, and visualisation. · Intelligent support systems. · The management of information resources and security. The statements that the administrative professional’s roles have changed through the use of computers, the Web, and other advanced office technologies to perform vital information management functions in the modern office, have been empirically studied and proven to be correct. Information and communications technology (ICT) has become the major launch pad of business activities in the world and causes fundamental shifts in the management structure and the operations procedures in enterprises. In the light of these changes, the researcher empirically justified the specific skills and abilities of the contemporary administrative professional. This was done through an emphasis on managerial perceptions about the role of the administrative professional. The importance of the administrative professional’s ability to provide the correct information in a context that aids decision-making was examined. The level of awareness iv of emerging information and communications technology tools and techniques that is regarded as necessary by the manager was evaluated. , Prof. P. A. van Brakel
  • Full Text:

An information management framework for the work-integrated learning process

- Brink, Roelien

  • Authors: Brink, Roelien
  • Date: 2014-06-21
  • Subjects: Experiential learning , Knowledge management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:11562 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/11269
  • Description: Ph.D. (Information Management) , The South African landscape on employment has reached a stage which requires strategies and initiatives that can assist and elevate awareness on ways which can facilitate opportunities of placement of people in the labour market. Critical levels of unemployment have placed the priority on the skilling of work seekers at the highest level. The critical issue of unemployment has also impacted on the higher education institutions (HEIs) fraternity to turn out professional graduates that are attractive and appropriately skilled for placement at industry level. HEIs have an unspoken obligation as a research founded environment to be on the cutting edge of processes and strategies on addressing the country's needs and strategic directives. Work-integrated learning (WIL) was identified as a core area which can facilitate preparation and empowering student learning on industry level that can promote student placement and possibly address levels of employment. HEIs in South Africa require teaching and learning to include WIL within specific learning offerings. The different learning offerings provided by various faculties have unique and diverse procedures which justify different WIL approaches at HEIs. A lack of structure regarding the information management (IM) for WIL across departmental silos, result in different processes followed for WIL. Therefore a lack of structure for IM can impact negatively on the optimal utilisation of WIL. In order to establish an effective IM feedback process the information that currently is, and that potentially could be exchanged between the HEI, the industry partner and the student has to be managed. This relationship is referred to as the WIL triad partners. Effective WIL is largely reliant on the managing of information exchanged between the triad partners. Without an effective flow of information, the WIL component will be cumbersome for the triad partners with duplication taking place across faculties. WIL can be optimally managed from a centralised unit to facilitate information flow between the triad partners, but first a framework has to be developed for the IM for WIL. Frameworks for the IM for WIL have been developed at international HEIs over long periods of time, which have evolved into good practice benchmarks. An investigation into these frameworks offered valuable insights to be tested at a HEI in South Africa. It became clear from this study that significant challenges are in the order of the day, pertaining to the IM for WIL process in place at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). It is paramount that processes and techniques do not stagnate but evolve with time and in line with the latest trends and technology. Therefore HEIs should be on par and be in line with the latest trends which affect HEIs' approach to WIL. It is strategic to realise the importance of capacitating students for employment and having the latest, most effective process in place will not only benefit students but add to the value chain of student employability due to strong and established collaboration with industry partners. The ultimate goal of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for IM for WIL for a HEI. The research resulted in a conceptual framework that would lay the foundation for the ultimate development of a portal, which was identified as the most appropriate platform that could facilitate the creation and development of a centralised solution that would enable IM for WIL processes. Such a platform could then be populated with the relevant data, featuring access functions that will allow for a single repository of data which can be centrally managed. The acceptance of the IM for WIL framework was tested amongst WIL coordinators and a very positive response was achieved. This study could guide and assist the UJ, as well as other HEIs, in developing and structuring of a centralised WIL unit based on an online WIL portal benefiting the role players who are central to the WIL process.
  • Full Text:

An intranet-enabled platform to improve knowledge sharing collaboration and content management

- Khumalo, Sithembiso

  • Authors: Khumalo, Sithembiso
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Microsoft SharePoint (Electronic resource) , Edcon Limited Group (Firm : South Africa)
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/82557 , uj:18972
  • Description: Abstract: The full benefit of SharePoint as a Web application for content management, knowledge sharing and collaboration in support of meeting business objectives is not fully realised at Edcon. The implementation of SharePoint within Edcon gives a clear indication that the organisation recognises its potential, however, the requirement for Edcon to determine whether the implementation of SharePoint meets their users’ needs in terms of knowledge sharing, collaboration and content management needed to be investigated within Edcon Limited Group. The objectives of the study were to determine how SharePoint enables Edcon to share knowledge, collaborate and manage its content; to investigate the value brought by SharePoint within Edcon and to establish the process for improving the use of SharePoint within Edcon. The main research question determined how the current use of Microsoft SharePoint at Edcon addressed the users’ needs for knowledge sharing, collaboration and content management. The study therefore sought to determine how SharePoint can enable Edcon to improve knowledge sharing, collaboration and content management in order to effectively achieve organisational goals. Intepretivism was used for this study because it aims to interpret the different perspectives of Edcon SharePoint users with regards to their use of the web enabled platform. The ideal sample on whom this research was conducted was two employees of Edcon responsible for the development of SharePoint in the organisation. They helped determine if the implementation of SharePoint was developed considering the users’ needs and to also find out how SharePoint was... , M.Phil. (Information Management)
  • Full Text:

Artificial intelligence and knowledge management principles in secure corporate intranets

- Barry, Christopher

  • Authors: Barry, Christopher
  • Date: 2010-02-23T10:25:43Z
  • Subjects: Artificial intelligence , Knowledge management , Intranets (Computer networks) , Computer networks security measures
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6634 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3035
  • Description: M.Sc. (Computer Science) , Corporations throughout the world are facing numerous challenges in today’s competitive marketplace and are continuously looking for new and innovative means and methods of gaining competitive advantage. One of the means used to gain this advantage is that of information technology, and all the associated technologies and principles. These are primarily used to facilitate business processes and procedures that are designed to provide this competitive advantage. Significant attention has been given to each of the individual technologies and principles of Artificial Intelligence, Knowledge Management, Information Security, and Intranets and how they can be leveraged in order to improve efficiency and functionality within a corporation. However, in order to truly reap the benefits of these technologies and principles, it is necessary to look at them as a collaborative system, rather as individual components. This dissertation therefore investigates each of these individual technologies and principles in isolation, as well as in combination with each other to outline potential advantages, associated risks, and disadvantages when combining them within the corporate world. Based on these, the Intelligently Generated Knowledge (IGK) framework is outlined to implement such a collaborative system. Thereafter, an investigation of a theoretical situation is conducted based on this framework to examine the impact of the implementation of this type of collaborative system. The potential increase in cost savings, efficiency and functionality of corporations that would employ the IGK framework is clearly outlined in the theoretical example, and should this approach be adopted, it would be able to provide significant competitive advantage for any corporation.
  • Full Text:

Barriers of sharing tacit knowledge : A case of Gauteng agricultural SMMEs, South Africa

- Seseni, Lawrance, Mbohwa, Charles

Benchmarking best practice in new product development project : a South African cinema study

- Mohono, Thobela

Can models for knowledge management be successfully implemented to manage the diversity of indigenous knowledge?

- Kok, J.A.

  • Authors: Kok, J.A.
  • Date: 2005-12
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Indigenous knowledge , Knowledge management frameworks
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5719 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3413
  • Description: With the dawn of the new political dispensation in South Africa, new frameworks emerged on macro level for a better understanding of equality, empowerment and development. Among these were the Reconstruction and Development Programme, the government's Macro-economic Strategy (GEAR), the National System for Innovation and the African Renaissance. This set the scene for reconstruction, innovation and the establishment of human rights, sustainable development and democratization in South Africa.
  • Full Text:

Change management in an academic library in the knowledge economy

- Du Plessis, Tanya, Mabunda, Tiyani Tyson

  • Authors: Du Plessis, Tanya , Mabunda, Tiyani Tyson
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Change management , Academic library , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/123950 , uj:20855 , Citation: Du Plessis, T & Mabunda, T.T. 2016. Change management in an academic library in the knowledge economy. , Citation: Mabunda, TT... https://www.uj.ac.za/library , https://www.uj.ac.za/library
  • Description: Abstract: In the knowledge economy, knowledge is channelled in new ways which brings about changes to the structure and function of an organisation. Organisations such as academic libraries often introduce innovations in delivery of information services to clients which entail the use of information and communication technology. Current growth in technological applications is enabling academic libraries to change the way they deliver services to clients. Technological applications continuously redefine how academic library collections are used. This article investigates how change in terms of technology is managed in a decentralised academic library in a higher education institution of South Africa. The study was placed within a qualitative research paradigm. A case study design presented the research providing the opportunity to analyse the perception and experience of participants and ensured that real life events were investigated. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data. The most significant finding of this study is the emphasis on the importance of change management in academic libraries and the need for effective communication in order to achieve low resistance to change from academic library staff.
  • Full Text:

Corporate advisory networks of knowledge sharing agents

- Stavri, Evthemia

  • Authors: Stavri, Evthemia
  • Date: 2014-10-20
  • Subjects: Social networks , Knowledge management , Business analysts
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:12645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12463
  • Description: M.Phil. (Information Management) , This study was aimed at the discovery of in corporate advisory networks who act as agents to share information and knowledge. In the current competitive and often uncertain economic business environment, savvy executives need to leverage off the expertise of their company employees in order to service their customers effectively and remain competitive. Since not all employees in the company have expert knowledge, executives need to discover the advisory networks of expert employees embedded in formal organisational structures and encourage them to share and transfer their expert knowledge to novices and/or less experienced employees. In light of the current argument, a diagnostic technique known as social network analysis (SNA) was used to map out and measure the advisory relational X-ray patterns within organisational departments and across to other functional business units. Once the patterns are discovered and the key expert networked employees identified, knowledge sharing interventions are introduced to facilitate experts to share and transfer their information, knowledge, insights and experiences to other less knowledgeable employees within the departments and across to other functional areas in the organisation. The overall objective of this study is therefore to utilise the SNA technique to discover the experts in the corporate advisory networks whom will act as agents to facilitate information and knowledge sharing in the organisation to improve other employees’ work performance thereby enabling the organisation to meet and even exceed its strategic objectives...
  • Full Text:

Do problem solving, critical thinking and creativity play a role in knowledge management? A theoretical mathematics perspective

- Giannakopoulos, Paul, Buckley, Sheryl

  • Authors: Giannakopoulos, Paul , Buckley, Sheryl
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Problem solving , Critical thinking , Creativity , Mathematics , Psychopragmatic approach
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:6218 , ISBN 978-1-906638-40-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5308
  • Description: Litschka, Markom, Schunder (2006) state that "... a knowledge-based economy requires new approaches in management especially with employee oriented actions, because workability, well-being, and creativity of employees determine the success and sustainability of an organization." Such approaches have to be grounded on established learning theories for life long learning which are conducive to knowledge creation and knowledge acquisition. Situated learning (Lave & Wenger, 1997), constructivism (Piaget, 1971; Vygotsky, 1978), behaviourism (Thorndike, 1915; Skinner, 1958) and cognitivism (Wertheimer, 1912; Kohlberg, 1972; Mezirow, 1962, all cited by Hergenhahn and Olson (1997: 29-48) have dominated education for more than eight decades. Though each theory has made valuable contributions, management of knowledge requires higher order thinking skills such critical thinking, problem solving and creativity on the part of the manager of the organisational knowledge and the part of the knowledge creator. The importance of these three skills, especially for the last two decades, have not only been accepted as important cognitive skills by educators and employers, but they also form part of the critical outcomes in American educational policies (American college personnel association, 1994 cited by King & Baxter-Magolda, 1996) as well as in South Africa (SAQA, 1998; the White Paper on Further Education and Training, 1998: 21-23). What is suggested here is a new approach to knowledge management, the psycho-pragmatic approach, which makes use of theories of learning of mathematics as problem solving, critical thinking and creativity form the essence of knowledge acquisition (Schoenfeld, 1987; Skemp, 1977). Mathematics has been recognised as a subject that enhances higher order skills because on the one hand requires abstract thinking on the other promotes use and application of knowledge (Pushkin 2007; Alonso, 1992; Forinash, 1992). This new approach makes use of psychological learning theories for generation of knowledge and pragmatism for application of such knowledge. It is of cyclic nature as well as of spiral nature based on the idea of Nonaka and Konno (1998) model of knowledge and of Bruner's (1976) spiral curriculum.
  • Full Text:

E-participation implementation and adoption of a local government collaboration network

- Masueme, Shadrack

  • Authors: Masueme, Shadrack
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Business communication - South Africa , Local government - South Africa - Western Cape , Text messages (Cell phone systems) , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/55357 , uj:16283
  • Description: Abstract: This study investigates e-participation implementation of a local government collaboration network in South Africa, and specifically the SMS-based two-way communication channel between municipalities and citizens in Western Cape Province. Its implementation has been segmental by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the SMS-based two-way communication channel between municipalities and citizens has not yet been investigated in terms of its usage and level of participation it has engendered. A quantitative research design was used and the study's sample that consists of three municipalities, namely Kai Garib, Knysna and Theewaterskloof, were randomly selected from the accessible population which consists of six municipalities that are currently implementing the program which involves the SMS-based system. Research data was collected with structured interviews, supplemented by follow-up questionnaires. From among the three sampled municipalities 120 staff members were drawn, to whom copies of the questionnaire were administered, out of which only 93 responses were returned and analysed (77.5% response rate). Descriptive statistics was used to present the results of the analyses, which was interpreted and discussed. The discussion is aligned to the main research question: "What is the level of implementation of SMSbased two- way communication channel between the municipality and citizens as a local government collaboration network?" The value of the study is derived from its most significant findings:  The qualities of the professionals that are involved in an e-participation platform determine the type of work they do, for example, administrative officials, communication and ICT professionals, or lawyers are hired by municipalities to run the SMS-based two-way communication channel or in short "SMS-based system". Some municipalities have more experienced people who are in a position to supervise and mentor the younger and newer employees... , M.Com.
  • Full Text:

Effective knowledge sharing tools for knowledge workers

- Prinsloo, Zachda

  • Authors: Prinsloo, Zachda
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Knowledge workers , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283679 , uj:30605
  • Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Abstract: This study investigated the use and perceived value of Knowledge Sharing (KS) tools among Knowledge Workers (KWs). KWs are a distinct category of specialist workers that are well educated and highly qualified in manipulating data, information and knowledge. Organisations often make significant investments in KS tools for KWs but know little about how and why KWs use them and how these tools improve their productivity. This said, KW’s have both motivators and barriers to KS and it is important to understand as only when the individual KWs knowledge is shared, can the organisation leverage the collective knowledge for competitive advantage. As such, the objectives of this study was threefold, firstly to analyse which tools KWs use to share knowledge, secondly to identify motivators and barriers to KS among KWs and lastly to recommend improvements in the effective usage of KS tools. The selected research philosophy for this study is pragmatism and focuses on practical applied research and the integration of different perspectives to assist with the interpretation of the data. A mixed method exploratory sequential design, using both qualitative and quantitative data and methods, was used for the study. KWs were divided on the type of KS tool they preferred to use, with some preferring face-to-face meetings and others preferring ICT tools including email, SharePoint and shared drives. Various factors including the KWs commitment and the system’s functionality play a role when KW’s consider KS. Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of KS tool usage in the organisation include the standardisation of KS processes, procedures and routines, as well as documented guidelines and training on KS tool usage, connecting KWs as well as improving the current KS tools used in the division. The study enables the organisation to improve their ability to select and implement effective KS tools for KW’s in the organisation.
  • Full Text:

Effective knowledge sharing within communities of practice in a financial institution

- Nkuna, Shyless

  • Authors: Nkuna, Shyless
  • Date: 2013-07-18
  • Subjects: Knowledge management , Information technology , Economic development , Business education
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8495
  • Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , This research paper is a study of the effectiveness of knowledge sharing within the communities of practice (CoPs) in a financial institution in South Africa. Specifically, the focus is on investigating the requirements for establishing CoPs that share knowledge effectively within this organisation. This was achieved through understanding the current state of knowledge sharing within the CoPs, identifying critical factors for effectively sharing knowledge and thereafter determining reasons for a CoP not being effective in sharing knowledge. The results showed that there is still a long way to go to ensure the effectiveness of knowledge sharing through CoPs. The CoPs within this financial institution are informal in nature, and therefore not necessarily given the attention that they deserve. Time used for CoPs is not maximised effectively, which reduces the chances of their effectiveness and improvement of productivity. Lack of effective system infrastructure to support knowledge sharing is also a massive challenge for the CoPs, as is not having virtual Cops to reduce challenges faced in the use of face-to-face CoPs. The literature review in chapter 2 of this paper covers the importance of the role of technology in supporting knowledge sharing, which is supportive to this finding.
  • Full Text:

Enhancing the effectiveness of a knowledge management toolkit in a professional services firm

- Chetty, Lameshnee

  • Authors: Chetty, Lameshnee
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Information resources management , Corporate culture , Knowledge management
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/246168 , uj:25513
  • Description: M.Phil. (Information Management) , Abstract: This study seeks to discover the efficiency of the current knowledge management toolkit for client facing professionals in a professional services firm in South Africa (The PSF). The efficiency of the toolkit determines the overall value of the knowledge management programme in the organisation. The objective of the study conducted during 2016 as evaluation research was threefold. Firstly, to determine how the current knowledge management toolkit was providing solutions to client facing employees. Secondly, to identify what the gaps were in the current knowledge management toolkit. Thirdly, to determine what needed to be implemented to improve the efficiency of the knowledge management toolkit. A pragmatism philosophy was used for this study because the research takes into account various perspectives to interpret the data. The sample on whom this research was conducted was 30 participants who possess the following criteria: employees who work in client account teams, employees who work on strategic and target clients, and employees who ensure client sustainability for existing clients. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data to help determine which knowledge management tools worked well, which tools were not working well, and what can be included or improved on. This research gives an overview of how the knowledge management toolkit was being used in The PSF and how it can be improved on in order to enhance client engagements and provide a competitive advantage. Evaluation of the toolkit overall depicts that the experience tool, one of eight tools in The PSF’s KM toolkit, was the tool that added the most value to the organisation. The results of this research give clear indication of areas of improvement which should be considered. Most significantly, the collaboration tool was rated the least valuable to the organisation; however, it does have the potential to increase its value by implementing the necessary recommendations. The study enabled the organisation to strategically position the knowledge management toolkit towards adding value for client engagements.
  • Full Text:
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Contact