Report: Knowledge Management Strategies in Microsoft Norway

This report examines the knowledge management practices of Microsoft Norway, a subsidiary of the global technology giant. It begins by outlining the company's organizational structure and how knowledge management is central to its operations. The report then presents a knowledge management tree for Microsoft Norway, illustrating the flow of information between departments and external partners. It details how the company captures, codifies, stores, shares, applies, and creates knowledge, highlighting the use of employee interviews, customer feedback, and data mining for capturing information. The codification process involves a computer system across departments, while storage utilizes databases and cloud storage. Knowledge sharing occurs through online platforms, face-to-face interactions, and social media. The application of knowledge is evident in product development and employee training. The report concludes by emphasizing the success of Microsoft Norway's knowledge management strategies and how they have contributed to the company's leadership in the technology sector.

Running head: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT NORWAY 1
Knowledge Management in Microsoft Norway
Name
Institution

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT NORWAY 2
Knowledge Management in Microsoft Norway
Question and Answer
Draw Knowledge Management Tree for Microsoft Norway
How practices knowledge management Microsoft Norway?
Knowledge Management
In Microsoft Norway
Enterprise Partner Group
(EPG)
Small Midmarket Solutions &
Partners (SMS&P) Business Marketing
Operations
service
Smaller
departments
Consumer
feedback
Employing
learning
Storage
Sales and
marketing
Service and
product plan

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT NORWAY 3
Microsoft Norway acts as a center of operations for Microsoft. The knowledge
management is a critical and hence, centrally placed in the company. Its internal and external
organizations profoundly influence knowledge management through knowledge creation,
capturing, codification, sharing, application, and storage. Internally, the company has divided its
operations into various departments with each department having specific duties and partners in
the market. The four central departments are enterprise partner group, small, midmarket
solutions & partners, business marketing operations, and services. The large department is
supported by smaller departments in gathering and relaying market and product information.
Service is the largest of all and involves technical consultants who partner with others from
outside to “install, integrate, and support products for customers.” Every other department has
specialist and consultants who offer professional insights in collaboration with support
employees. The departments work differently but in collaboration in information sharing for
decision making. Externally, the company works with partners like retailers, customer service,
and wholesalers to get market information and give them the best prerequisites and up to date
knowledge about the company products. In essence, the information exchange between various
departments and partners create a pool of data that can be used for decisions and developments
plans of the company. Also, the company utilizes the big data gathered over time from the
market to train its employees on the best practices in development, production, and sales and
marketing.
Summary knowledge management in the company of Microsoft Norway?
Knowledge management in Microsoft Norway is one of the most successful in the world
and has placed Microsoft at the pinnacle of leadership in technology services and products. The
knowledge gathered from the market has been utilized to develop products that solve consumer

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT NORWAY 4
issues and needs. For instance, the company has continued developing Windows and MS Office
as its primary products which have undergone metamorphism depending on the consumer needs.
Explain how all the six stages of the KM Life Cycle being practiced Microsoft Norway
1. Knowledge Capturing: Microsoft Norway uses employee interviews, consumer
feedbacks, department records to build on its knowledge about the market, consumers,
products, and services. The company also train employees through face-to0face
interactions, hands-on experiences, presentations, and data mining.
2. Knowledge Codification: The data about products, services, and the market are collected
as per the department. The whole company has a computer system installed in every
department. For instance, information from the service department is known by the files
in the system since files are stored according to the department they are created. Each
department has specific roles, and hence the files from every department are known to
have contained certain information.
3. Knowledge Storing: The data from all departments are stored in the database linked to the
information system of the company. The company has e-learning, and that means it also
uses cloud storage.
4. Knowledge Sharing: Information flow between departments and workers. The company
has utilized online sharing where employees are trained through e-learning, where they
can access materials such as market data, videos, presentation, and more. Microsoft
Norway also utilizes face-to-face learning, presentation during lunch, and data mining.
The company has utilized a SharePoint library that acts as a repository of information that
can be accessed by employees. Also, there is the power of social media through which

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MICROSOFT NORWAY 5
employees and consumers can interact informally and hence result in information
exchange.
5. Knowledge Application: The information gathered from the market is used in product
and service development, sales, and marketing. The company uses the data to produce
service and products that are suitable and adapted to consumer needs, for instance, over
time development of Microsoft Word and Office with the introduction of enhanced use
and capabilities. Also, the information is used to impart knowledge to employees
primarily on the market changes and needs.
6. Knowledge Creation: Microsoft Norway has gathered information over the years. The
database forms the basic foundation of its knowledge creation regarding consumer and
market behaviors. Most importantly, it has harnessed the power of big data where
information is widely available in the internets and is easily accessed and shared. Also,
employees are encouraged to learn from one another in the meeting and casual
interactions.