Evaluating Knowledge Management System Frameworks in Organizations

The assignment involves a comprehensive analysis of existing methodologies for developing and assessing Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) in organizations. Students will explore the evaluation framework proposed by Dehghani and Ramsin (2015), which offers insights into how KMS can be effectively developed to enhance organizational knowledge sharing and operational efficiency. The task requires an understanding of different theoretical perspectives on KMS, such as those outlined by Geisler and Wickramasinghe (2015) regarding principles and practice, and Donate and de Pablo's (2015) exploration of the role of leadership in KM practices. Additionally, students will assess real-world applications by examining case studies or examples where these frameworks have been implemented. By analyzing scholarly articles and synthesizing information, students will develop a critique on the strengths and weaknesses of various KMS evaluation methodologies and propose improvements for more effective knowledge management within organizations.

Running head: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
Portfolio on Knowledge management: Walmart Company
Name of the student:
Name of the university:

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
1. Proposed knowledge management strategy.................................................................................2
1.1 Exceptional knowledge management system........................................................................3
1.2 Sources of the issues..........................................................................................................5
1.2.1 Identified set of issues....................................................................................................5
1.2.2 Synthesis and application of Knowledge management theories and practices...............6
2. Critical analysis.......................................................................................................................7
2.1 Awareness and interpretation of the research........................................................................7
2.2 Connection with knowledge management theories...............................................................8
3. Depth analysis of knowledge management system...................................................................10
4. Implementation roadmap ok Knowledge management system.................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................12

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Introduction
Knowledge management system is referred to as a type of IT system which is widely
used by most of the large and medium business organizations to store and fetch knowledge. In
addition to this, it also helps to improve collaboration by locating knowledge sources for hidden
knowledge, capture and uses of knowledge. It also helps to increase the Knowledge management
processes in the business organization.
The aim of the portfolio is to identify different knowledge management practices and
theories used in Walmart Company for gaining huge competitive advantages and measurable as
well as successful revenue. In different nations the company runs a huge departmental stores and
warehouse application thoroughly. This portfolio reflects a critical analysis on different
knowledge management practices and theories those are applicable in the business organizations.
An implementation roadmap of the insightful and detailed evaluation of knowledge management
system in Walmart is also elaborated in this portfolio.
1. Proposed knowledge management strategy
Walmart is one of the most well-known multinational companies that run huge chain of
departmental stores in United States. If the annual revenue of the company is calculated then it
will be found that from the revenue gaining aspects the rate of the revenue of this particular
company is the highest.
Among different knowledge management system the most suitable KMS for Walmart, Managing
Information System is found to be most beneficial one (Calvo-Mora et al. 2015). Over 2.3
Millions of staffs are working for this big private company. However with the help of the

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knowledge management system the company is willing to improve their business process
accordingly. However, it is generally used in different business organizations in terms of
Information system, public policy and general management system etc. However; the large
organizations also invests huge to improve their existing knowledge management system (Wang,
Noe and Wang 2014). From different KM practices the most suitable strategy is identified and
illustrated in this portfolio.
1.1 Exceptional knowledge management system
Based upon the business practices of Walmart, accurate knowledge management strategy
is needed to be adopted by the company. It is expected that, KM strategy will help the business
organization to minimize the rate of issues and also increase the effectiveness of the business
practices (Geisler and Wickramasinghe 2015). Several KM practice models are there those are
widely used in the business organizations for creating knowledge management strategies.
Knowledge management system is nothing but KM tool that is used during the business practices
to define the relevant knowledge that is helpful for the implementation of a particular business
strategy.
Different types of knowledge management systems are there and based upon the
application and business requirements the most suitable KMS is needed to be adopted by
Walmart to increase the sales rate and revenue respectively (Dehghani and Ramsin 2015). The
different types of KMS are as follows:
Decision Support System (DSS): With the help of this system the consumer will be able
to access required information stored in an organized manner within the server. This system is
useful for the organizations to make effective decision making in a much easier way.

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Database management system: In order to store and retrieve data from the storage the
most useful knowledge management system that can be assisted is a database management
system (Sein-Echaluce et al. 2017). From the business perspectives this approach is very much
secured and data cannot be accessed by the unwanted users. Only the authorized users will be
able to access data stored in the database system and the unauthenticated users are not allowed to
access information from the server.
Simulation system: In order to model real world scenario, the simulation system is used
by the business organizations. Not only this but also to test the effects of the test scenario that is
whether the result is unsafe or safe, economically profitable or not this real world equivalent
checking is very much important (Munoz et al. 2015).
Information system: This is another KMS that is widely used by most of the business
organizations to manage large set of information regarding their consumers and employee’s
details.
Knowledge management process deals with general knowledge management whereas;
the KM strategy helps to develop long term knowledge management strategy. The previously
outlined process can be improved by sharing knowledge and strategic objectives. For Walmart
Company the most suitable Knowledge Management Model is the Integrated Knowledge
Management model (Jarle Gressgard et al. 2014). KMS is the first system that is used to deal
with the specific IT oriented issues. The knowledge management strategic initiatives are as
follows:
Investment: In order to support the existing structure investment is needed to be done for
competencies, knowledge retention mechanism, culture and external network.

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Removal: The obsolete knowledge set are required to be removed from the system
1.2 Sources of the issues
1.2.1 Identified set of issues
While analyzing the knowledge management practices of Walmart it has been found that,
certain issues are associated to it those are needed to be mitigated (Gemino, Reich and Sauer
2015). The identified issues of Wal-Mart’s Knowledge management system are as follows:
Overloaded balanced data: With the increasing size and diversity of valid information
associated to Walmart, it has been found that overloaded balanced data is referred to as one of
the most vital issues that have been identified (Rezaei, Karimi and Hosseini 2016). If it is found
that, the system is limited within small groups, and then it might happen that the data gets lost
from the server (Schmitt 2014). Again if it is found that the system is wide enough then
information overload might also take place.
Inaccurate knowledge flow: Improper knowledge flow is another vital issue that has
been identified in case of Walmart. Accurate structuring of knowledge is very much important to
ensure that the flow of information is going on the right track. In order to fill the extensive skills
and questionnaires the employees who are working for the business organizations must add
accurate data within their documents (Bautista et al. 2017). The company fails to appreciate the
contribution of the employees with necessary motivation, rewards and support. Due to this
reason the knowledge fails to flow on the right track.
Negative long term impact of Knowledge Management System: Each time it is not
necessary for the issues of KMS to be resolved easily. Rather in some case these issues cannot be
resolved easily. Both exploitation and exploration are the issues raised as the long term problems

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in WalMart’s knowledge management system (Garfield 2014). In spite of developing new
solution the issues of the existing system are required to be resolved. However, the company
fails to make the necessary changes.
Issues with technical adoption: The staffs working for the company are failing to adopt
the application and its evolved operational and functional excellence. Due to this particular
reason the cost of the KMS exceeds the expected budget.
1.2.2 Synthesis and application of Knowledge management theories and practices
There are some business organizations which thoughts that the KM system is deals with
the usage of Information Technology in the business. However, KMS helps to build proper
relationship between the technology and experience of the employees. In order to exchange
information and knowledge the KM models and systems are used by the business organizations.
According to Geisler and Wickramasinghe (2015), the most highlighted KM system is
used in Walmart Company. The Knowledge management strategy used by Walmart is integrated
system which integrates the supply chain with the Knowledge management. At the logistics end
of the business supply chain is referred to as the most effective form of business to gain enough
revenue. It helps to increase the number of employees by connecting them with their job
professions. Dalkir and Beaulieu (2017) stated that, the supply chain management system used
by any business organization d required to be consumer focused, flexible, financially proper and
damage free as well. In order to gain measurable and structural revenue the management
authority of the company must focus on sales improvement, reduced cost, efficient distribution
and distributed as well as logistics management (Laudon and Laudon 2016.). The company has
recently changed their focus from supply chain to demand chain. It implies that the company has

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currently implemented their KMS in such a way so that all the managerial issues could be
resolved accordingly.
2. Critical analysis
2.1 Awareness and interpretation of the research
While defining the knowledge management system of Walmart it has been found that, the
company is much focused to their KM strategies and application. However, the company fails to
identify the set of necessary knowledge (Schmitt 2014). In order to meet the business
requirements the necessary KMS those have been identified include the following:
Things of business: Walmart must focus on the way through which the product cost can
be reduced and the number of deliveries can be increased accordingly. Therefore, not only the
traditional cost structure but also the managerial head of the company must know better about
the details of the products (Armstrong and Taylor 2014). Another thing on which the company
needs to focus on includes products availability and nature of the suppliers.
Processes: The Company collects products from different suppliers and due to this
reason they needs to know about the ways of moving products from the suppliers to the
consumers. The direction of efficient movement starts from picking goods from the plants,
distributing the goods through the distribution channels and delivery of the products to the exact
location (Wang Noe and Wang 2014). Again the company is needed to build proper relationship
between the suppliers and the materials or good to be delivered to the consumers.
Event, agents and responses: In order to lead time, inventory management and to
provide better services to their consumer’s proper response is needed to be done by Walmart.

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Motivation and business values: The objective of Walmart is to deliver accurate
products to the consumers with affordable price and quality as well (Dehghani and Ramsin
2015).
Distribution details: The Company is doing global business to gain effective revenue
and structured profit as well. Thus to meet the demand f the consumers they are needed to focus
on the changing regulatory, logistic issues and global opportunities as well.
2.2 Connection with knowledge management theories
According to Geisler and Wickramasinghe (2015) different contingencies rather motives
are available in the business organizations those are needed to establish and maintain the version
of the originals. After identifying the issues of KMS in Walmart it has been found that, those are
required to be mitigated accordingly with proper knowledge management theory. Based upon six
basic contingencies the theory is needed to be established. The contingencies of the theory are as
follows:
Need: The participants of the company are needed to achieve the legal as well as legal
and political requirements.
Power: In order to preserve the autonomy and control the performance of the business
organization proper power is needed in terms of motivation.
Stability: The rate of both risks and uncertainty should be reduced properly.
Cost: In order to economize the transaction cost from other organizations should adopt
accurate KM strategies.

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Legitimacy: The employees and other stakeholders associated to Walmart must focus on
providing proper justification to their activities. In addition to this, the employees are required to
be socially responsible.
Goals: In each of the project initiation phase, the project team members must adopt
proper activities in terms of organizational goal (Dehghani and Ramsin 2015). It has been found
that, effective goal sharing will help the organization to meet their goal.
With the help of the Knowledge management strategies and metrics two different things
can be discussed accordingly and that includes the followings:
 An appropriate KM strategy helps to create link between the business application
and the business objectives.
 In order to monitor the progress of the organization towards their business goal,
good metrics are needed to be framed up with accurate measurements
For Walmart this Knowledge Management Strategy has been adopted because it can
provide the followings:
 It can provide the building blocks
 It helps to achieve the organizational learning and continuous business
development
 In order to avoid time wastage repetitive mistakes should be avoided to make sure
that everyone if familiar with the newly adopted system application details.

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3. Depth analysis of knowledge management system
From the current analysis of the market it has been found that proliferation of
knowledge management software is one of the vital solutions those are widely served by the
business organizations of companies to gain effective and measurable revenue from the
competitive market place. However; selection of appropriate Knowledge management system is
another tough job for the business authority (Dehghani and Ramsin 2015). In order to support the
knowledge workers it is very much necessary to select the appropriate KMS. As the most widely
used problem solving approach, most of the companies uses SISTeM Cycle 1 based action
research framework (Jarle Gressgard et al. 2014). The identified issues of knowledge
management system are as follows:
 In some cases it happens, that the generated knowledge are not stored in the
server or might have lost from the system.
 Due to lack of knowledge the participants fail to fix these issues according to the
requirements (Gemino, Reich and Sauer 2015).
 Due to lack of missing key concerns, technical staffs and technical abilities of
Knowledge management system, the company fails to meet the requirements of
the consumers and other business units.
4. Implementation roadmap ok Knowledge management system
In order to gain effective revenue from the market place Walmart is required to follow
the accurate steps to meet the KMS requirement. Particularly for Walmart the implementation
path or roadmap is as follows:
 Establishment of program objectives of Knowledge management system

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 Preparation for necessary changes
 High level processes are to be defined
 Determining and prioritizing the technology requirements
 Current state should be access whenever needed
 Implementation of Knowledge management roadmap to analyze the gap and
economic condition as well.
Conclusion
From the overall discussion it can be concluded that, the Knowledge Management
System (KMS) used by Walmart was not that much effective from the consumers and business
perspectives. Thus, it is necessary for Walmart to improve their existing Knowledge
Management System (KMS) to gain effective business revenue. The set of knowledge must be
organized properly to make the system mush valuable and useful as well. The dimensions of
KMS used in Walmart include connectedness, perspective, congruency and completeness. It is
expected that, the business gaps would be minimized accordingly if accurate KMS strategies are
adopted by the company. In order to gain competitive advantages and long lasting business
sustainability few advanced models and innovative practices are adopted by the company. With
the help of proper KMS the company would be able to make proper decision for the business
organization. The different knowledge management system practices used by Walmart and the
most appropriate KMS strategy that might mitigate the issues of business practices are elaborated
in this portfolio. From critical analysis it has been found that the company uses the KM strategies
to create distributive strategic insight and specific experiences as well. In order to improve the