Geneva Business School Knowledge Management Mid-term Assignment

This document presents a detailed solution to a knowledge management assignment from Geneva Business School, covering various aspects of the subject. It begins by defining and explaining core concepts such as data, information, and knowledge, providing real-world examples to illustrate their differences. The solution further explores tacit and explicit knowledge, people management, Total Quality Management (TQM), and knowledge repositories. The assignment also delves into critical thinking and analytical skills by addressing questions on knowledge conversion, the benefits and drawbacks of knowledge sharing, the relationship between tacit and explicit knowledge, and the rationale behind knowledge management. It examines the impact of people, cultures, and organizational structure on knowledge management, along with the role of the human resource department and the use of knowledge management for customer satisfaction. The document concludes by explaining the four ways knowledge is created and introduces key knowledge management thinkers and their perspectives.

Question 1
Define and extensively explain each of the following, giving examples whenever possible
(preferably genuine examples):
Data, Information, and knowledge
In the contemporary, we hear people using the words data, information and knowledge
interchangeably without knowing that they are making mistakes. The word data refers to
anything that is that is represented in the digital that also includes the non- executing knowledge
that is reserved in digital form. Data is what humans take as the facts of the environment or the
world we live in. it exists in raw form and may not have any significance in on its own (Liew
2013). A good example of data is the tallness, and the color of a person’s hair or eyes.
Information refers to data that has been given useful meaning through a relational connection.
The information allows for the expansion of human knowledge past his senses. Information helps
people share data with other. For example, when we take a picture of an object, the photograph is
information but what we see in the photograph is data. Knowledge refers to the appropriate
gathering of information which is useful. Knowledge simply put represents what we know
including our beliefs and expectations. When a student memorizes information for purposes of
an exam or test, he or she has amassed knowledge. Knowledge is stored in the brain because it
has the ability to connect all the things together (Liew, 2013). Computers do not have any
knowledge because they can’t understand what they process.
Tacit and Explicit Knowledge
Tacit knowledge is a type of knowledge that is gets embedded in the mind as a result of jobs and
experiences. Also referred to know-how, tacit knowledge includes intuitions and insights.

Whereas explicit knowledge is the type of knowledge that is codified and digitized in report,
memos, books, and documents. This is a knowledge that is easily learned, shared, employed or
articulated. A common example of explicit knowledge is information contained in the school
library textbooks.
People Management
People management entails the tasks of recruiting, managing, supporting and directing people,
often the employees of an organization. People management is a role undertaken by the human
resource managers who have to focus on both hiring and firing people as well as getting the most
out of them.
Total Quality Management (TQM)
The continuous business approach was undertaken to improve the performance and quality of
employee’s services and hence improve customer experience. Developed by William Deming,
TQM focuses on ensuring that the internal process and guidelines eliminate errors in an
organization (Porter & Tanner 2012). Examples of TQM system strategies are the guru approach,
the TQM element approach, the award criteria approach, among others.
Knowledge repository
An online database that captures, organizes and knowledge based information. Data contained in
the organizational repository can easily be searched and retrieved. Knowledge repository aids
organization to link people with information and experts through online searchable libraries and
discussion platforms (Botha et al, 2014). The person education Equella solution and the
Microsoft corporation SharePoint collaboration software are examples.

Question 2
“Critical thinking” and “analytical skills”
Can knowledge be converted from one type to another?
Knowledge exists in two main types; tacit and explicit which is discussed in question one above.
Converting knowledge from one form to another is possible only if you understand the creative
process of each knowledge type. According to Ikujiro Nonaka, their knowledge creation process
entails the cycle of socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization (Nonaka,
2012).
The concept of “Sharing knowledge” mentioning when it is beneficial and when it is not
Sharing knowledge is beneficial to the organization when it helps in eliminating communication
barrier in organizations and helps in improving efficiency, encourage leadership and innovation.
The concept of sharing knowledge is, however, a challenge in situations where it generates little
enthusiasm among the staff in the organization (Botha et al, 2014).
Are tacit and explicit knowledge related?
Tacit and explicit knowledge may be related because they explain some aspects of knowledge.
But as suggested by various studies, the two tell distinctions between knowing how and
‘knowing that’ aspects of human knowledge
Why do we manage knowledge?
Knowledge is crucial to the production and efficiency of an organization. Managing knowledge
helps people in the organization to access, share and also update information and knowledge.

How can people and cultures affect an organizations ability to manage knowledge?
The success of managing knowledge in an organization, especially the development and sharing
of tacit knowledge highly depend on the intention of involved people. Knowledge management
is also affected by the diversity in the organizational cultures which could be job oriented,
professional oriented, tightly controlled or result oriented (Singh et al, 2011).
How can an organizations structure affect its ability to manage knowledge?
The structure of an organization has an impact on knowledge management including its
acquisition and usage. According to Singh et al, (2011), a well-designed organizational structure
helps in the detection and rectification of administrative errors. Also a good design of the
organization leads to clear coordination and tasks clarity hence reduces conflicts and overlap of
roles in the organization
What is the role of the human resource management department in any organization
towards knowledge management?
People management is a role undertaken by the human resource managers who have to focus on
both hiring and firing people as well as getting the most out of them.
How can knowledge management be used to ensure customer satisfaction?
Knowledge management as highlighted by Singh et al (2011) brings and sustains advantages that
fulfill the demands of customers in creating and supporting features by establishing suitable
processes
Explain The 4 Ways Knowledge Can Be Created
There are four ways of creating knowledge (Nonaka, 2012);

• Socialization- denotes the process of sharing experiences such that tacit knowledge is
conveyed between two individuals. This involves activities like imitation, practice, and
observation
• Externalization- involves articulation of tacit knowledge into explicit concepts. Concepts
creation may happen through analogy, metaphor, and deductions
• Combination- involves systemizing concepts process into a knowledge system through
meetings, conversations or combining documents. This stage is enhanced by education and
training.
Knowledge Management Thinkers
Thomas H. Davenport is a director at the Accenture Institute for Strategy Change and a guest
lecturer in various universities in the US such as Dartmouth College, Babson College among
others. He postulates that in the current business world, attention management has become the
most important factor of success. Ikujiro Nonaka is a Japanese professor and a theorist at
Hitotsubashi University. He is well recognized for developing the four ways of creating
knowledge types, that is, Socialization, Externalization, Combination, and Internalization
(Nonaka, 2012).
Works cited

Botha, Antonie, Derrick Kourie, and Retha Snyman. Coping with continuous change in the
business environment: Knowledge management and knowledge management technology.
Elsevier, 2014.
Liew, Anthony. "DIKIW: Data, information, knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and their
interrelationships." Business Management Dynamics 2.10 (2013): 49-62.
Nonaka, Ikujiro. "Dynamic organizational capabilities: Distributed leadership and fractal
organization." Strategic Management of Military Capabilities: Seeking Ways to Foster Military
Innovation. NIDS International Symposium on Security Affairs. Tokyo: The National Institute
for Defense Studies. Retrieved from http://www. needs. go.
jp/English/event/symposium/pdf/2012/E-01. pdf (28 Feb. 2014). 2012.
Porter, Les, and Steve Tanner. Assessing business excellence. Routledge, 2012.
Singh Sandhawalia, Birinder, and Darren Dalcher. "Developing knowledge management
capabilities: a structured approach." Journal of Knowledge Management 15.2 (2011): 313-328.