MGT605: Knowledge Management Impact on Woolworths Decision Making

This report examines the impact of knowledge management on the decision-making process within Woolworths, an Australian supermarket chain. The research aims to determine the leadership style employed, evaluate decision-making techniques, and assess the influence of knowledge management on these processes. The study addresses key research questions related to leadership, decision-making techniques, and the impact of knowledge management. It reviews relevant literature on knowledge management, decision-making, and related theories, including knowledge creation and impression management. The methodology involves an exploratory research design using a deductive approach and interviews with Woolworths managers. The report outlines the research timeline, ethical considerations, and provides recommendations for improving knowledge management and decision-making within the organization. It aims to contribute to both organizational strategy and the broader understanding of knowledge management practices.

Impact of knowledge management on
decision making process
A case study of Woolworths

Introduction
• Knowledge management is a significant aspect in terms of
handling the information and resources in an organisation.
• The presentation is focused with the evaluation of knowledge
management concepts and its impact on the decision making
• It would evaluate the different aspects of knowledge
management by assessing the case of Woolworths, a
supermarket chain of Australia

Research aim and objectives
The objective of the research are:
To determine the leadership style used within Woolworths
To examine the techniques adopted by Woolworths for
undertaking decisions for the betterment of the organization
To evaluate the impact of knowledge management on the
decision-making process of Woolworths
To make recommendations for improving the knowledge
management practices and decision-making process of
Woolworths

Research questions
• Which leadership style is followed by Woolworths?
• What are the techniques used by Woolworths in terms of
undertaking decisions regarding the efficient execution of the
business activities?
• What impact does knowledge management have on the decision-
making process of Woolworths?
• What recommendations can be suggested for improving knowledge
management and decision-making process of Woolworths?

Rationale of the Research
• It would help the organisation, understand its strategies and
make better enhancements into it
• The research would help the authorities to apply effective
management techniques so that to regulate the performance of
the employees effectively. (Hislop, Bosua and Helms, 2018)
• It would even assists other scholars and researchers in
exploring more ideas in their further studies based on similar
topic.

Review of Literature
• Concept of knowledge management
▫ It creates, shares and uses the knowledge within the
organisational framework
▫ It provides with the right tools to be used for enhancing
learning in the organisation ( Epstein, 2018)
• Concept of decision making process
▫ It is a process of selecting the best solution among the
available alternatives.
▫ It is basically a selection carried on the basis of specific
criteria out of two or more alternatives (Johannessen, 2018).

Cont..
• Knowledge Creation Theory
▫ It enables the manpower to create and share their
knowledge at the workplace
▫ It is mainly based upon the assumption that knowledge creation
takes place through social interactions between implicit and
explicit knowledge (Dayan, Heisig and Matos, 2017).
• Impression management theory
▫ Major aim is to create impression of the other person.
▫ The theory is mainly used synonymously with the self
presentation

Cont..
• Classical decision making theory
▫ It majorly based upon acquiring the information, assessment
of the information and aligning the choice with the objectives
• Impact of knowledge management on decision making
process
▫ The knowledge management allows the managers to improve
the skill sets of the employees which engage them into the
decision making process effectively (Huarng, Mas-Tur and
Moreno, 2018).

Cont..
• Conceptual framework:
Productivity
Knowledge
management
Decision
making process
Improved skills,
abilities and
competencies of
the employees

Research methodology
• Research philosophy: Positivism philosophy (Flick, 2015)
• Research design: Explorative design
• Research approach: Deductive approach (Smith, 2015)
• Data collection: Interview

Cont..
• Data analysis : Primary quantitative method
• Sample size: 3 managers of Woolworths as samples
• Sampling technique: Probability sampling technique
• Ethical considerations: No biasness and plagiarism is
conducted (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015)

Activities
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8
Selecting the topic
Collecting information through
library search
Developing aims and objectives
Literature review
Data Collection
Data analysis
Conclusion and
recommendations
Evaluation
Making the necessary changes
Final evaluation
Submission and closure
Timeline