River Island: Knowledge Management and Information Systems Report

This report examines knowledge management and information systems within the context of River Island, a prominent high-street fashion brand. The introduction defines knowledge management and its role in business operations, emphasizing its significance in enhancing organizational profitability, collaboration, and decision-making. The main body of the report begins with an overview of River Island's corporate objectives, business overview, and corporate structure, followed by an evaluation of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using SWOT and Porter's Five Forces models. The report also identifies an appropriate knowledge management information system for River Island, explores ways to improve customer relations and business performance through effective supply chain management, and assesses key management implementation challenges the organization may face. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and recommendations. The report provides valuable insights into the application of knowledge management principles in a real-world business setting and strategies for optimizing performance.

Knowledge
Management and
Information
Systems

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
About Knowledge information system .......................................................................................1
Evaluate strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges of organization by using 3 Models 3
Appropriate knowledge management information system for chosen organization...................6
Ways of creating customer relation and improving business performance by maintaining
effective supply chain .................................................................................................................7
Assess three key management implementation challenges the organisation may face ..............8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Knowledge management is defined as system and tool that uses to increase the business
activities and capabilities for increasing organizational profits. The management is required to
understand what is running in market and how these can evaluated for running a business
appropriately. In other words, knowledge management is a kind of IT system that retrieves and
stores knowledge to improve the understanding, collaboration and alignment of process which
can help to operate and manage the business (Au and Fung, 2019). This is an awareness and
understanding of set of information that can be used to support the specific task and reaching a
decision. For organization, it is important to have good knowledge and skills which can be uses
to operate and control the functions. This report is based on River Island has been selected that
is high street fashion brand which is operating business in worldwide market. This organization
was founded in 1948 by Bernard Lewis and his brother in London. The management analysis the
market and get people needs which help to complete the goals by offering kind of products and
services. This report consider business overview, corporate structure and internal capabilities of
chosen organization. Moreover, most appropriate knowledge information system that improve
performance, management implementation challenges which are facing by enterprise and
recommendations.
MAIN BODY
About Knowledge information system
Corporate objectives
The meaning of corporate objectives is goals in relation to whole business. Such
objectives are usually set up by top management of business and provide the focus for attaining
them in certain period of time. It is important for organization to set their corporate goals by
defining business size and scope. The corporate objectives of River Island is to produce the
clothing for women and men on a defined budget. To drive the business market in clothing
industry and give new look to customers (Mahdi, Nassar and Almsafir, 2019). The management
of such organization is responsible to operate and manage the business activities by offering
variety and design of clothes at retail cost that attracts the number of customers and increase the
business production. The aim of every enterprises is to lead their business and activities in
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changing environment by focusing on needs and wants of people. Moreover, to bring the new
changes and trend in fashion industry so people live new lifestyle accordingly.
Business overview
River Island is big brand in fashion and cloth industry that is operating and managing the
business in changing environment effectively. In 1948, the business of such organization was
started by selling the fruits and vegetables by Bernard Lewis and thinks to operate their own
stores. In 1965, Lewis separates has a 70 stores empire in the UK and decided to give a identity
to a brand. The kinds wear has launched in 2010, and then after begin to deal in men and women
wear with best quality (Pour and Asarian, 2019). Now, this organization is having over 350
stores across UK and managing the business all appropriately. The management of enterprise is
playing important role as they have good knowledge and skills to manage the functions and
increase productivity. The revenues of organization is £877.7m which is generating by selling
the different types of products and services.
Corporate Structure
The corporate structure of an organization consider different department and business
units in enterprises. It is uses to know how goals and objectives of business can be generated by
managing, operating and controlling the activities. In changing environment it is needed to have
focus on structure. River Island is following Matrix structure which is uses to managing order,
delivery, and receiving the payment on time which can help to attain the business goals.
Management are providing authority and responsibility to employees for making right business
decision which create the good environment and increasing production level.
Business model
Business model is a structure of organization which is need to be follow for sharing
information and managing the activities. River Island is cloth retailer company that value for its
customers, colleagues and shareholders by focusing on selling activities. The supply chain and
distribution system of such organization is very effective where customers are getting
information, playing order, making payment through online which is only possible through
knowledge and IT. Every business should be up gradated which help to introduce new products
and services. The online apps, websites and multi channel are considered as business model that
are uses by selected company in order to operate the functions efficiently (de Guimarães, Severo
and de Vasconcelos, 2018).
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Evaluate strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges of organization by using 3 Models
The involvement of number of factors in relation to government, economy, social trend,
technology and laws which are important to follow for running a business. It is not mandatory
that the factors in relation to external environment having negative factors as it can impacts
positively. This is uncertain factor where shifts can increase and decrease that helps to manage
and operate the business efficaciously. The description of many factors in relation to business
and fashion industry are as defined:
Political factor – This involves regulations and government policies which may affect
the business and organisation as well as sector in environment. In UK, government is stable
which made flexible regulations for operating the business. This factor has impacted positively
on River Island as it can formulate business in other areas and run it effectively by managing the
activities (Ramli and Ali, 2018).
Economical factor – This factor showing what is the economical condition of a country
and how it is dealing with businesses. After Brexit, the inflation and interest rate of UK has been
reduced which became an opportunity for River Island to produce, operate and increase the
business activities by selling the products it retail prices. On the other side, the selected
organization has been affected negatively due to Pandemic in which all businesses are closed and
rate of interest is being increased. In this, Pandemic it become difficult for companies to take
loan at higher interest rates and manage the business.
Social factor – This factor indicating the culture, value, trade and attitude of people who
make decision to by the products. River Island is larger size organization in which management
analysis the market and get information about new lifestyle and trend so they can adopt and
attracts the number of customers. This can be positive point for chosen enterprises to operate the
business and increase sales by offering products according to new culture and trend in market
(Sun, Liu and Ding, 2020).
Technological factor – If businesses are using traditional method and sources to run then
it will be difficult for owners to operate it continuously. For running and increasing competition
there is need to analysis the new technology and services which can help to attain the business
goals. River Island is increasing sales by using new technology in distribution channel as this
organization is introducing one day delivery which is faster than others by using new technology.
This can help to increase sales by satisfying customers and improving brand image.
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Legal factor – This is needed for organization to focus and follow the rules and
regulations in relation to business which can help to manage and operate activities continuously.
Number of employees are working in River Island where it become difficult to follow all
regulation and give fair treatment to all staff that may affect sales negatively as employees make
decision to leave (Secundo and et. al., 2019).
Environmental factor – Now, environment has become most important element of
business that is needed to be protect by enterprises. Many rules and laws are formulated by UK
government for keeping safe and clean the environment by companies at the time of running
business. River Island is strengthening their performance and goodwill by making sure to
customers that their company is following all environment regulations and focusing on reduction
of carbon dioxide that help to provide good environment.
Porter's Five forces – The defined five forces are considered as tool that allows an
organization to evaluate the factor and get information how competitive advantages can be get.
In changing business environment companies are using five forces that can help to state the
competitor, substitution if products and managing the performance. Evaluation of porter's five
forces are as defined:
Bargaining power of buyers – The evaluation of buyer's power, it can be understand
that buyers are the major stakeholders who helps to operate and increase the value of
organization in changing environment. In UK, many fashion and cloth sector are opened where
customers can bargain and make decision to buy the products. In context to River Island,
bargaining power of buyers is high as they can cut the prices due to having many shopping
centre. This can be challenging situation for chosen company to operate their business at
bargaining prices otherwise customers can choose other brand.
Bargaining power of Suppliers – For organization it is important to have good
knowledge and relation with suppliers which can help to buy the products at lower cost. In
business market suppliers are conducting their operations by setting the prices and their
bargaining power is low which can be considered as growth opportunity for River Island to buy
the products at less prices from manufacturers. The chosen enterprises also negotiate the prices
of raw material that leads continuous growth and development (Latilla and et. al. 2019).
Threat of substitution – In market, presence of substitution can be threat for companies
as it directly affecting the business. In evaluating substitution it has been evaluated that River
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Island is facing the high threat of substitution which is reducing the selling and profit activities in
business market. For overcoming this threat, management of chosen organization should
formulate strategies to offering good quality of products at affordable price which can help to
complete the goals by increases sales.
Threat of new entrance – This factor states entrance of new business sector in similar
field that can be create high level of competition and might be affected business negatively. For
entering in UK market, any businesses is required to arrange high investment, platform, sources
and good clients that can support to manage and control the business. Therefore, River Island
does not have any threat of new entrance which can be opportunity for organization to operate
and manage the business by increasing purchasing behaviour of customers.
Threat of competitors – This is defining as competitors who are selling the similar and
better kind of products in market which can attracts customers and increase the organizational
productivity. In context to River Island many competitor are exist in market such as Mark and
Spencer, TOMS, Superdry, ZARA, TOPMAN, and G-Star who are selling the quality and design
of clothes that can be challenge for company to operate and continue the business in competitive
market. For overcoming management should formulate low pricing strategy, establishing new
market, and uses of new technology which can help to increase sales and give advantages of
competition (Mileva Boshkoska, Liu and Chen, 2018).
According to evaluation it can be defined porter's five force model is useful for River
Island that can help to create the opportunity for operating and sustainability in competitive
market and ensuring organization is providing better quality and prices of products that influence
people and manage the activities.
SWOT Analysis – This model is uses to know the strength, weakness, opportunities and
threats by managing and focusing continuously on activities. The indication defining how
business is managing all actions and delivered quality of products as well as services. The
SWOT analysis of River Island is defined below:
Strength Weakness
 River Island is having over 350 stores
across UK and also having 6 online
sites which are operating business.
 This motto is Love Fashion, Love River
 This is not providing student discount
offer in the accounting year where as
competitors such as Top shop and New
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Island.
 Having many unique selling point one
is amazing going out looks and
occasion wear.
 The selling activities and distribution is
increasing continuously.
 Focus on changing trend and customer's
expectations.
look is providing.
 Cloths are not fashion forward.
 Have not done a menswear
collaboration (Durst and Evangelista,
2018).
 This organization is not having plus
size collection.
 Having competitors in market that can
reduce the sales and profitability ratio.
Opportunities Threats
 Strong customer base and introduce the
new products timely.
 Number of skills and talented
employees.
 Increase the sales and customers by
giving student offer that can attracts
customers.
 Offering products and services at retail
prices.
 Focus on changing trend and delivering
products accurately.
 Increasing minimum wages and tax
rates affect the chosen company by
reducing number of staff.
 Recession can affect people and
reducing sales.
 Occurrence of storm and natural
disaster.
 If government increases tax rates.
 Changing in term and condition of
business
Appropriate knowledge management information system for chosen organization
Knowledge information system is a systematic area of managing and controlling the
organizational activities. This is important for company to focuses on different activities and
performance which are important and can help to manage the performance. Under the knowledge
management system, all activities and functions of company can be managed properly. River
Island is clothing retailing company that is taking advantages of information system and high
technology in order to severing customers and completing the organizational goals. It can be
evaluated that for running a business and managing all performance there is need to follow the
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information system that can help provide the right information and proper management of
activities. For example, management of River Island is using information technology system for
the purpose of tracking their customer information, orders, managing stock, prevailing in current
trend and delivery of products which are possible through knowledge information system. This
can help to operate and manage the performance in challenging environment and attracts the
number of customers by operating effectively (Sayyadi, 2019).
Moreover, the respective company is suggested to implement the information technology
and changes in organizational structure according to scope and size of business that can help to
take the advantages of business and improve the performance. It can be understand by an
example, in present all countries facing the Pandemic situation that is Covid 19 due to which
businesses are closed and death rates are increasing. In this condition, government has lock down
the country where no one is allow to run business from their recognized platform. At that
moment information technology become a boon for companies as it is providing opportunities to
continue their employment by working from home. This can help to manage and operate the
business activities effectively by using new technology and business process in challenging
market. The important areas in the field of technology is people, structure, culture, process and
technology that can help and support to manage the organizational performance. The
management of River Island is playing important role as they analysis the market and get what is
in trend and how customers will be influenced. Therefore, business can be continue by offering
better quality quality of products and services in market and affected the business positively.
Moreover, this organization is capturing the large market share and improvement in brand image
by using new technology and delivering good services (Zarei and Jabbarzadeh, 2019) .
Ways of creating customer relation and improving business performance by maintaining
effective supply chain
For organization it is needed to have focus on performance and activities which is
operating and managing by management by using their own skills, knowledge and talent. In
market, number of customers are exist but is is difficult to have good relations with customers
that can help to explore the market opportunities and attaining the business goals by increasing
sales and profitability. By using information system it is tracking order, calculating and
managing all records of income and expenses that help to operate and manage the business and
complete the goals. Other than this, supply chain activities of chosen enterprise is increasing as it
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is is understand demand of customers and offering products according to their life style in larger
areas which fill the expectation and satisfy the customers. For improving the organizational
performance Human resource management plays a key role in effectiveness of company where it
formulates the business strategies and policies in welfare of company and employees. The HR
manager of River Island also involved in implementation of changes and policies that can help to
complete the task timely (Alberti-Alhtaybat, Al-Htaybat and Hutaibat, 2019). The leadership of
organization is also require active measures that uses to work individually and team work that
can help to reach the potential customers. Therefore, technological professional in chosen
organization helps to protect the business and client information by using upgraded system. It
also using spreadsheet for better set up of company and sharing information between team
members.
Attainment of corporate objectives
The wants of every organization is to set the objectives of organization and get
completion of task in order to attain goals appropriately. Knowledge information system is
highly required in any organization where number of employees, customers, team member,
leader and people are working for providing better quality of products and services. For example,
River Island wants to increase their sales profitability by reducing employees turnover. For this,
management need to use new technology of marketing, distribution, providing information
regarding products and service,developing software and managing all inventory which can help
to manage the activities and attracts customers. Moreover, new technology in chosen enterprises
can help to improve the customer relation by providing them right information, 24/7 hours
customer support services, delivering good quality of products etc. can help to manage the
business and helps to attain the corporate objectives. Therefore, it is beneficial for chosen
company to make the uses of knowledge information system and maintain the performance
effectively (Zarei and Jabbarzadeh, 2019).
Assess three key management implementation challenges the organisation may face
The River Island is facing the challenges while implementing the recommendation in
their organization for the completing task, improving business performance and attaining the
business goals in changing environment.
Proper use of software system and new technology which is identified by management
and recommended to apply, problems are facing by employees as they are used to traditional
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method and manual workings. There is lack of training that should be provided by management
and leader to all staff so they can implement the changes.
Insufficient funds and customer relation is another problem for chosen industry as
planning to expand the business in other location and country for the purpose of making a global
business. For running any activities and functions funds are needed that can help to operate and
manage all activities in case of implementing the recommendation (Durst and Evangelista,
2018).
Government legislations and territory areas for completing the task which is decided by
management that can be create the problem for selected company to operate business due to
government regulations and increasing rates. Resulting, productivity and profitability can be
affected negatively and increases cost.
Lack of technical team and supporting managers in implementing the recommendation
which can be create a problem for chosen organization and become difficult to operate the all
functions.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that knowledge and management is different
term where knowledge means skills and abilities to understand the task and make efforts to
perform it well. Management meaning planning, organizing, directing and controlling the
activities which can help to increase profitability. For analysing the competitors and internal
capabilities Porter's five force model uses by enterprises that state how business is facing
challenges and ways to overcome. Information technology is also uses to improve the business
performance by capturing market and serving the customers effectively.
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REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Au, C. H. and Fung, W. S., 2019. Integrating knowledge management into information security:
From audit to practice. International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM). 15(1).
pp.37-52.
Mahdi, O. R., Nassar, I. A. and Almsafir, M. K., 2019. Knowledge management processes and
sustainable competitive advantage: An empirical examination in private
universities. Journal of Business Research. 94. pp.320-334.
Pour, M. J. and Asarian, M., 2019. Strategic orientations, knowledge management (KM) and
business performance. Kybernetes.
de Guimarães, J. C. F., Severo, E. A. and de Vasconcelos, C. R. M., 2018. The influence of
entrepreneurial, market, knowledge management orientations on cleaner production and
the sustainable competitive advantage. Journal of cleaner production. 174. pp.1653-
1663.
Ramli, R. and Ali, N., 2018, October. Teleconsultation as Knowledge Management System:
Recognizing the Issues Contributing to its Underutilization in Hospitals. In 2018
International Conference on Advanced Computer Science and Information Systems
(ICACSIS) (pp. 277-282). IEEE.
Sun, Y., Liu, J. and Ding, Y., 2020. Analysis of the relationship between open innovation,
knowledge management capability and dual innovation. Technology Analysis &
Strategic Management. 32(1). pp.15-28.
Secundo, G., and et. al., 2019. Knowledge management in entrepreneurial
universities. Management Decision.
Latilla, V. M., and et. al. 2019. Knowledge management and knowledge transfer in arts and
crafts organizations: evidence from an exploratory multiple case-study analysis. Journal
of Knowledge Management.
Mileva Boshkoska, B., Liu, S. and Chen, H., 2018. Towards a knowledge management
framework for crossing knowledge boundaries in agricultural value chain. Journal of
Decision Systems. 27(sup1). pp.88-97.
Durst, S. and Evangelista, P., 2018. Logistics knowledge management: state of the art and future
perspectives. Knowledge Management Research & Practice. 16(4). pp.427-434.
Zarei, E. and Jabbarzadeh, A., 2019. Knowledge management and social media: a scientometrics
survey. International Journal of Data and Network Science. 3(4). pp.359-378.
Alberti-Alhtaybat, L. V., Al-Htaybat, K. and Hutaibat, K., 2019. A knowledge management and
sharing business model for dealing with disruption: The case of Aramex. Journal of
Business Research. 94. pp.400-407.
Sayyadi, M., 2019. How effective leadership of knowledge management impacts organizational
performance. Business Information Review. 36(1). pp.30-38.
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