Analyzing Coles Supermarket's Knowledge Management Strategies Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Coles Supermarket's knowledge management strategies, focusing on the application of six key paradigms: strategy, organizational culture, processes, management and leadership, technology, and politics. The report begins with an introduction to the competitive retail sector in Australia and defines knowledge management. It then delves into how Coles Supermarket, a major player in the Australian retail market, utilizes these knowledge management tools. The analysis covers Coles' adoption of online and offline strategies, its inclusive organizational culture programs, efficient organizational processes, effective management and leadership, technological advancements like AI, and its consideration of political and economic factors. The report highlights specific examples, such as Coles' radio channel, online customer service, and the implementation of AI to reduce costs. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of knowledge management in the competitive retail landscape, summarizing how Coles leverages these tools to improve business functions and processes. The report also includes a detailed reference list of sources used in the analysis.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FOR COLES SUPERMARKETS PTY LTD
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Introduction
The commercial organizations in the retail sector often faced stiff competition in the market.
Theoretical concepts like knowledge tools help in formulating and revising strategies for a
profitable business. Knowledge Management tools consist of 6 paradigms that are strategy,
organizational culture, process, management & leadership, technology, politics (Rao, 2012).
In this regard, the report will analyze Coles Supermarket, Australia through 6 paradigms of
tools mentioned above for improving their company.
Knowledge management tools for Coles Super Market, Australia
The retail sector has a market size of $108 billion with 6,688 number of business units in
Australia. Coles Supermarket is one of the largest retailers in Australia with 2,500 retail
shops and a customer base of 21 million (Coles Group, 2020a). The firm was established in
the year 2000 and employs 165,000 workers under it. It works operates through both online
and offline modes.
Knowledge Management Tools
Knowledge management is defined as the procedure that involves creation, sharing, and
usage of knowledge to manage the resources of the company (Dalkir, 2017). This is assisting
in transforming processes and functions at the organization.
Strategy- This involves the corporate strategy of the organizations, in this regard, Coles
supermarket has adopted online and offline operations as part of corporate strategy (Dalkir,
2017). Additionally, the company has always used its business knowledge by employing
correct resources to his firm. For instance, the firm owns a radio channel that is Coles’ radio
through the customer shopping at stores gets insight about the offers and promotions. In this
way, information about offers and promotions reaches to its customers without any manual
intervention (Coles Group, 2020a). The company satisfies its online customer base through
the priority service strategy.
Organizational Culture- This entails to the culture in which promotes knowledge sharing and
interaction among the members (Rao, 2012). The company has an excellent corporate
strategy as it recognizes the importance of an inclusive environment for all its members. A
program named 'Better Together' was launched in the year 2017 that incorporates aspects like
Accessibility, Gender Balance, Pride, Flexibility and Indigenous participation (Coles Group
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2020b). Through such programs, knowledge and motivation are shared amongst the team
member and the customers.
Organizational Processes- This relates to the usage of the right processes and systems for
implementing the right knowledge in the business (Rao, 2012). In this scenario, operating
through an online medium it connects to the customers that do not the stores on a routine
basis. It also uses all the social media platforms for interacting with its customers (Coles
Group, 2020a). In this way, the firm has used a cost-effective and interactive method for
maintaining the organizational process.
Management and Leadership- The knowledge management tool is successful only when the
right leadership is employed at each level (Rao, 2012). The company has a strict selection
procedure and aims to employ an efficient managing team at each level. This helps the proper
flow of knowledge from the hierarchy level to the bottom level ensuring overall development
of the company as well as of the employees.
Technology- This states the use of tools and technologies in alignment with the organizational
requirement (Rao, 2012). The company has efficiently utilized technological advancement.
Coles supermarket has announced the use of artificial intelligence to reduce manual tasks.
The company is a supermarket giant and aims to curtail costs for maximum profits. The
unproductive tasks in the warehouse or on the floors will be replaced by artificial intelligence
(Bennett, 2019). It has cut down its 450 staff and replaced it with technology while also
reducing the costs by $1 billion (Crozier, 2019). The company has planned to use technology
for smart selling to fulfill customer needs and requirements. Besides, the company is
operative online thus earn higher profits by selling its products through both the mediums.
Politics – This involves long term support including all the organizations without any direct
return on investment. Political stability in the economy ensures high profitability for the
business units (Dalkir, 2017). the government of Australia has implemented ACCC consumer
policy that increases the industry competition by removing potential barriers for new start-
ups. The government legislative has been modified and implemented. Thus, Coles
Supermarket should consider the policies while formulating business strategies.
Conclusion
The retail sector is highly competitive thus requiring the firms to adopt various strategies.
One of the competent strategic tools is the Knowledge Management tool that 6 paradigms and
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allows the organizations to apply the right type of knowledge to its business model. In this
report, the business model of Coles supermarket Australia has been analyzed with
Knowledge management tools that are assisting it to improve its business functions and
processes.
Reference List
Bennett, T., 2019. Coles Unveils Major Technology And Warehouse Investments To Drive
Online Sales. [online] Available at: < https://which-50.com/coles-unveils-major-technology-
and-warehouse-investments-to-drive-online-sales/ > [Accessed 11 April 2020].
Coles Group 2020b. Our people. [online] Available at: <
https://www.colesgroup.com.au/sustainability/?page=our-people > [Accessed 11 April 2020].
Coles Group, 2020a. About us. [online] Available at: <
https://www.colesgroup.com.au/about-us/?page=about-us > [Accessed 11 April 2020].
Crozier. R. 2019.Coles to use technology to cut its costs by $1bn. [online] Available at: <
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/coles-to-use-technology-to-cut-its-costs-by-1bn-526872 >
[Accessed 11 April 2020].
Dalkir, K., 2017. Knowledge management in theory and practice. MIT press.
Rao, M., 2012. Knowledge management tools and techniques. Routledge.
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