Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3 MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3 Smith Brother’s approach to strategic management of knowledge and organizational learning ................................................................................................................................................3 Evaluation of strategic tools and framework use...................................................................6 Importanceofknowledgeinstrategicdevelopment,strategicmarketing,competitive advantage, managing strategic corporate change and sustainability......................................9 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10 2
INTRODUCTION Strategicdevelopmentisfundamentaltocreatingandoperatingaventurewithin particular market. It is defined to embrace management procedures that inform, support and shapestrategicjudgementsconfrontingacompany.Itisalsoconsideredasprocessof researching and determining strategic options, chosen the most promising and deciding how assets can be allocated across firm to achieve set aims and objectives in effective manner. The current assignment will be based on Smith Brothers Company, which falls under list of leading companies in renewable energy industry, UK. This study will discuss organization’s approach to strategic management of knowledge & organizational learning. It will evaluate their use of strategic tools and frameworks, including significance of knowledge in strategic development, sustainability, managing strategic corporate change and competitive advantages as well. MAIN BODY Smith Brother’s approach to strategic management of knowledge and organizational learning Strategic management of knowledge refer to utilization of a company’s capabilities and strengths to leverage external and internal knowledge sources to develop value and sustainable competitive edge (Hebibi, Raimi & Milićićević, 2019). Knowledge is the key element of Smith Brother Company and many activities at workplace resolve around using, acquiring and storing knowledge.Itisreallyvery importantfor organizationtomanageand keepappropriate knowledge in context of business and others things like competitive advantages etc. There are different types of approaches available in world of business that can be used for strategic management of knowledge in regard to chosen firm. Process approach – It is one of the best approaches Smith Brothers can use for strategic management of knowledge. It attempts to codify organizational knowledge through formalized procedures, process, controls and technologies (Intezari, Taskin & Pauleen, 2017). Company can adopt this method by implementing explicit policies governing how knowledge and understanding about specific things to be gathered, stores and disseminated throughout business. It frequently includes use of information technologies to increase and improve quality and act of knowledge creation and distribution in venture. These advanced technologies may include data warehousing, decision support tools, intranets, groupware, knowledge repositories etc. All these technologies 3
help in knowledge management related to products or services offered by company, in effective and systematic manner. It is considered as management strategy that manager in chosen organization can use and manage internal and external procedure of business effectively. When manage use this method, it means that they organize and control that procedure that make up his or her firm interactions between these process and outputs & inputs that tie these things together. By using this approach to manage production and other functions related knowledge, company can find that they can better measure how manufacturing and marketing functions are performing, determine and implement improvements within it systematically. It is quite beneficial and useful approach that Smith brother can use and manage knowledge related to overall activities. Practice approach- Strategic knowledge management and organizational learning have become key elements of organizational development across boundaries as an outcome of their abilities to cater strategic results related to competitiveness, profitability, productivity and capacity building (Venkitachalam & Willmott, 2017). This approach to knowledge management assumes that a better deal of company knowledge is tacit in nature and that formal measures, procedure and technologiesarenotappropriatefortransmittingthiskindofunderstanding.Morethan developing and implementing formal system to manage existing knowledge, concentrate of this method is one building communities of practice and social environment that help to facilitate sharing of tacit comprehending. With the help of this method, company can maintain level of knowledge. Communities of practice are teams of individuals with common professional interest who perform together informally and communicate with other for sharing knowledge. Within such a community, people collaborate and communicate directly, teach each other and share personal experiences in order to work even better. It is most common method used by many companies for strategic management of knowledge. According to this approach, when manager share their experience with workers at workplace and provide appropriate direction to them, it can lead to knowledge management, which is quite valuable for growth and long term success of business. With this practice firm can obtain desire outcomesand give tough competitionto itscompetitorsby keeping better knowledge about external and internal factors. 4
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Organizational learning and knowledge management play vital roles in growth and success of company. It also play essential roles in organizing and defining firm tactics, procedure and structures that affect business survival, leading to achieving vision, objective sand aims in effective manner (Carcello & et.al., 2018). Organizational learning is defined as procedure of creating, transferring and retaining knowledge within a firm. It is also considered as process by which Smith Brothers improves their business practices and performance over period through gaining right experience and utilising that experience to create better knowledge at workplace. Firm can consider different approaches of organizational learning. Management training- It is one of the best method company can consider and implement at workplace in context of organizational learning. It is training activity that concentrates on improving and enhancing an individual’s skills as a manager and leader (Pallavicini & et.al., 2016). When firm undertake this approach they can introduce to and retrained in common management methods such as balanced scorecards. It conveys people idea of making individual more alike than different in some aspects and attempting to deemphasize each applicant’s differences in some specific areas. With the help of training leader and manager within company can learn new things. After getting knowledge about specific things like marketing and strategic management they can provide same info to people who can learn and work accordingly. The overall procedure defines organizational learning process that is quite beneficial and helpful in term of increasing performance level even better. For instance, a number of workers are trained at workplace to operate a complicated system of technology. Once technology is implemented and used, hopefully to specifications that optimizes employee ability to operate system, training programme are effectively implemented in order to provide appropriate learning and knowledge. It can be said that management training may also concentrate on venture side of being a manager such as reporting to high authority, more effectively and efficiently leading performance reviews & acquisition of talent. It is beneficial and effective approach that enhances organizational performance and productivity. Organizational development- This concept or approach is different from management development and management training. It can be defined as an objective based method utilized to initiate a modification of system in an entity. It is achieved through a shift in communication and interaction. This element 5
defined as transferring data and key information to produce better understanding about activities and practices at workplace. Organizational development is a science and critical based procedure that aid company to build their capacity and ability to change existing business actions and obtain desire outcomes. It also help firm to achieve greater effectiveness by creating, improving and reinforcing tactics, procedure and structures. Furthermore, with the help of this method Smith Brother can increase their abilities in effective manner which makes them able to perform even better than other players exist in same market. This approach improves organizational and operational effectiveness and also support in learning by getting more knowledge about several things. Organizational development helps by establishing effective relationship with business with and between groups and workers to achieve common aims and objectives in ethical manner. All above approaches and methods are beneficial for Smith Brother Ltd, which falls under category of large, turnkey electrical contractor with more than 20 eras experience. They can learn many things from these approaches and maintain knowledge for longer period of time to beat competitors and sustain in industry. Evaluation of strategic tools and framework use A strategic tool or framework is structure approach utilizes to define how a work or initiative supports and help key objectives of company and its stakeholders effectively. There are varied types of strategic frameworks are accessible in world of business that company or manager can use to gain knowledge about various aspects such as competitive advantages, strategic marketing, sustainability etc. Porter’sfive forcesisone of thebest and most effectivestrategicmanagement frameworksthatfirmcanusetogainknowledgeaboutcompetitiveedge.Competitive advantages refer to external factor that permit an organization to produce items and services better and more cheaply than its rivals, which turn into increasing profit margin and productivity (Eidizadeh, Salehzadeh & Esfahani, 2017). It is strategic tool that management can use for analysing its business’s competitive environment, which is actually very important and useful in context of gaining further advantages. With the help of this framework it is quite easy for manager to get knowledge about degree of competitiveness in marketplace where Smith Brother Ltd operates since for so long. Threat of new entrances, threat of substitute products or services, bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers and competitive rivalry between existing players, are the 6
major elements of this tool that help firm to understand forces affecting profit margin in its sector and can aid to inform decision relating to whether to enter a particular sector or market; whether to increase ability and developing competitive tactics that are actually very important to do. Without gaining knowledge of competitive edge in market, organization would not be able to sustain for long and retain their buyers successfully. On the other hand, it can be said that this framework cannot be applicable to non profit companies because of simplest thing that it centres on determining rivalries, and competitors in market. Along with this model,Ansoff’s growth matrixalso helps to gain knowledge about strategic development which is really very essential and important to know for management. It is one of the most successful tactic frameworks of all time (Loredana, 2017). This implies that company attempts and efforts to expand depend on whether target market is different, based on current services and items can be new and market still an older one. This framework helps in strategic direction and development of strategies and provides knowledge about how to take affective decision for making business more successful and productive than other players. It guide firm to take decision by using available options that are suitable for its business success. With this model, company can gain understanding in strategic development which is very beneficial for in term of taking right actions to overcome challenges and varied issues that may affect profitability and productivity. By getting knowledge in context of strategic development firm can beat competitors and manage their current knowledge in effective manner. This framework is helpful to classify firm strategic options and evaluate risk, it can be utilize as firm tool or single departments such as marketing. It is an easy way to direct discussion of option and easy to understand. Furthermore, it analysed that Ansoff’s matrix model is not applicable in strategic development of company because it does not capture some of detail of market and competitors clearly that create issues while selecting the best options. SWOT analysisis the best strategic frameworks, it considered as business internal environmental analysis method that help to identify elements that affect sustainability and practices of company. It was developed to systematically and successfully cut down defects and issues in business practices that affect environmental and business sustainability negatively (Ben Ruben, Vinodh & Asokan, 2017). It can be evaluated that SWOT analysis model help company to improve their business practice and drive them towards sustainability. It aid to improve quality and eliminate factors or things in business operations procedures that influence negatively on 7
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operational efficiency and strategic development. Sustainability means meeting organizational and market needs without compromising ability of further consumers to meet their own requirements. This model helps to know more about sustainable practices and activities that provide greater benefits to management. It concentrates on reducing of defective items such as production and fixing of ineffective services. This framework can even aid in empowering and strengthening workers and maximizing consumer’s satisfaction. All these things are considered important for quality improvement, increasing consumer base and consequently, prove important for Smith Brother to prosper and grow. Within this model, there are well define approaches and techniques for guiding overall activities of company. For example, by using this approach company can understand sustainable business practices importance and use environmental friendly materials in cabling and other products. SWOT analysis concept stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that help firm to improve and enhance sustainable business activities in effective manner. It can be said that along with benefits, this framework consist some drawbacks that affect final outcomes. This framework becomes impossibly subjective without appropriate data and information. It has only one of main elements, which is not suitable for business planning which requires range of pieces of analysis, data and research. It can be said that along with getting knowledge about above areas it is really very important for company and management to get Knowledge in Managing strategic corporate change. It provides strength to manager and enhances their abilities for managing performance of workers effectively. To get success in this process, company can consider range of strategic management tools and models that efficiently help in managing and balancing organizational procedure at workplace with approval of workers. It caters knowledge to manager about how business change process can be managed.Organic models of strategic planningis the best model that company can use for strategic development and to understand this concept. It is often uses as technique known as concept boarding to permit workers to develop their own thoughts and innovative ideas before sharing them with other team members. This model begins by clarifying organizational culture values utilizing dialogue and storyboarding methods that help in strategic development. On the other hand, it requires frequent informal judgement between team members that consumers a lot of time. 8
Importance of knowledge in strategic development, strategic marketing, competitive advantage, managing strategic corporate change and sustainability It can be said that above tools and strategic management techniques helps company and its workers to develop their knowledge about varied areas which are important to know and understand completely. For example, knowledge about competitive advantages are essential for employees and management to gain because it makes them able to gain competitive edge by working effectively and developing plans. To get success in this process, company can consider Kotter’s 8 step change models that efficiently help in managing and balancing organizational change procedure at workplace with approval of workers. It caters knowledge to manager about how business change process can be managed.Kotter change modelis an key 8 step approach to manage change in company that may affect staff performance and productivity level (Wentworth, Behson & Kelley, 2020). It gives clear information about change management and direction how to do this without making any mistakes at workplace. Create a sense of urgency, build guiding coalition, form strategic initiatives & vision, enlist volunteer army, enable action by reducing barriers, generate short term wins,sustainaccelerationandinstitutechangearetheimportanteightelementsofthis framework that guide manager to manage change at work area and enhance performance level without facing any challenges that is essential and beneficial for firm while running in its sector. CONCLUSION By summing up above discussion, it has been concluded that Smith Brother while managing and operating their business activities within industry uses several approaches to organizational learning and strategic management of knowledge. It has been identified that method in context of these things providing several benefits to company in term of increasing their productivity level and enhancing performance even better than its competitors. Smith brother with the help approach to strategic management of knowledge effectively sustain within marketplace. Furthermore, it has been analysed that by using strategic tools and frameworks that include importance of knowledge in strategic development and other activities, Smith Brother successfully managing their business operations. 9
REFERENCES Book and Journals Ben Ruben, R., Vinodh, S., & Asokan, P. (2017). Implementation of Lean Six Sigma framework with environmental considerations in an Indian automotive component manufacturing firm: a case study.Production Planning & Control.28(15). 1193-1211. Carcello, J. V & et.al., (2018). The value to management of using the internal audit function as a management training ground.Accounting Horizons.32(2). 121-140. Eidizadeh, R., Salehzadeh, R., & Esfahani, A. C. (2017). Analysing the role of business intelligence, knowledge sharing and organisational innovation on gaining competitive advantage.Journal of Workplace Learning. Hebibi, L., Raimi, N., & Milićićević, R. (2019). Knowledge management and the importance of knowledge management for the organization's performance.Ekonomika.65(1). 117-126. Intezari, A., Taskin, N., & Pauleen, D. J. (2017). Looking beyond knowledge sharing: An integrativeapproachtoknowledgemanagementculture.J.Knowledge Management.21(2). 492-515. Loredana, E. M. (2017). The use of Ansoff Matrix in the Field of Business.Annals-Economy Series,2, 141-149. Pallavicini, F and et.al., (2016). Virtual reality applications for stress management training in the military.Aerospace medicine and human performance.87(12). 1021-1030. Venkitachalam, K., & Willmott, H. (2017). Strategic knowledge management—Insights and pitfalls.International Journal of Information Management.37(4). 313-316. Wentworth, D. K., Behson, S. J., & Kelley, C. L. (2020). Implementing a new student evaluation of teaching system using the Kotter change model.Studies in Higher Education.45(3). 511-523. Online THREEAPPROACHESTOORGANIZATIONALLEARNING.2018.[Online].Available through: <https://home.snu.edu/~jsmith/library/body/v16.pdf> 10
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