Strategic Knowledge Management and Leadership Practices at Tesco

This essay provides a detailed analysis of Tesco's strategic knowledge management approach and leadership practices. It examines the company's implementation of knowledge management, including knowledge creation, acquisition, storage, transfer, and sharing, within the context of its organizational structure and learning strategies. The essay explores the role of strategic leaders in fostering a culture of knowledge management and organizational learning, emphasizing the use of computer-based communication and information systems. It delves into Tesco's adoption of structured approaches, such as the Knowledge Management Maturity Model, and highlights the importance of communities of practice, social interaction, and social learning theory. Furthermore, the essay discusses the various models and strategies employed by Tesco, including personalization and codification, to promote knowledge transfer and sharing. The analysis also covers the significance of social capital, absorptive capacity, and the development of communication paths in supporting knowledge management and the creation of new knowledge within the organization. The essay uses various literature reviews to support the analysis.

Strategic as Practice and Leadership

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Strategic knowledge management approach used by TESCO...............................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................5
1. Knowledge management ...................................................................................................5
2. Intellectual and social capital ............................................................................................6
3. Balance scorecard ..............................................................................................................7
4. Communities of practice.....................................................................................................9
5. Soft thinking system ........................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Strategic leadership can be defined as manager’s capability to express their strategic
vision for the company and to positively influence people for accomplishing the same. It can also
be referred to as implementation of strategy in order to manage people. Strategic leaders develop
their skills through practice. The main purpose of strategic leaders is to streamline procedure,
increase productivity, promote innovation and create such environment which encourages
workers to become more productive. It is a strategic leader who provides regular training to
workers and enables them to develop skills and knowledge. Strategic leaders play crucial role in
the knowledge management within an organisation.
The essay will have focus on identification of approach which is utilised by an enterprise
for strategic management of knowledge in context of Tesco. It is a British multinational
organisation operating business in retail sector.
ESSAY
Organisation approach to strategic management of knowledge and organizational learning
Knowledge can be referred to as justified personal belief. It is basically an awareness
generated through experience. Knowledge management can be defined as procedure which
includes planning, organising, inspiring as well as controlling people in an enterprise in order to
make sure that knowledge related assets are improved and it is applied in routine practices by
workers. The procedure of knowledge management includes creation, acquisition, storage,
transfer, refinement, utilisation and sharing of information. Knowledge management is basically
a deliberate as well as systematic approach for sharing business knowledge data base. In present
highly competitive business environment there is high chances of uncertain situation in business.
Companies by implementing the knowledge management system can gain competitive advantage
in the market (Olwan, Irtaimeh, and Al-Lozi, 2019). Tesco has implemented the computer based
communications as well as information system for supporting the various knowledge
management procedure. knowledge management can be defined as an efficient handling of
information as well as resources within an enterprise. The knowledge gained by employees in
Tesco from external sources are utilised for making decisions related to changes in products and
also for coding into document (Bell and Harrison, 2018)..

In context of organisational learning, strategic leaders in Tesco has develop strategies in
order to inspire people for leaning and increasing their knowledge (Hislop, Bosua and Helms,
2018). In addition to this, regular training is provided by leaders in order to support knowledge
management. In addition to this, manager in Tesco uses structural approach for ensuring the
knowledge management at workplace. In structured approach to knowledge management, the
business structure as well network has been utilised for creating a pool of knowledge. In context
of Tesco, top level management in an organisation has appointed the team of experts in order to
provide training as well as coaching to employees those who are working in different
department. In addition to this, management in Tesco has created the knowledge community
which consists of people those who share common interests, problem as well as experience. It is
the type Key Characteristics or features of community is that they share as well as exchange
knowledge interactively in personal and unstructured manner. In context of Tesco, as an
organisation has hierarchical structure employees working in different level utilises different
technology for sharing of information with each other. For instance, employees working in
operational department of Tesco utilises transactional information system for getting the
information about the procedure conducted by employees working in front line department.
The main objective of implementing the structural approach for knowledge management
and organisational learning is to increase innovation as well as promoting creativity including the
extension of explicit knowledge as well as transformation of experiences. Important elements of
structural approach to knowledge management is to bring changes in organisational culture
which is supported by efforts to innovate knowledge. Structured approach to knowledge
management states that traditional knowledge is not an effective source of increasing
effectiveness as well as integrating new knowledge which is needed for changing the behaviour
of employees. In context of Tesco, manager in an enterprise drives the fast knowledge
distribution with the support of advance technology. In addition to this, managers or leaders in
Tesco has created the information as well as knowledge storage system which has further
assisted them in ensuring fast access to knowledge by workers in an organisation. In context of
Tesco, the procedure of knowledge management includes following phases these are knowledge
creation, knowledge acquisition, retention, identification, distribution, transfer and reception.
There are different critical points at different knowledge management process, at the initial phase
that is knowledge creation the critical point is need of development is not recognised (Uhl-Bien

and Arena, 2018). In context of Tesco, Knowledge Management Maturity Model is a structured
approach which is utilised by an organisation for implementation of knowledge management.
Structured approach to management has assisted an enterprise in ensure spread of knowledge at
all level in hierarchy of organisation. In context of Tesco, structured approach to training and
development of workers has provided strong foundation for its continuous growth. The
management in Tesco has put all their efforts as well as they have taken high initiatives in
relation to development of such culture within an enterprise in which their employees can thrive
both professionally and personally. Coordination between employees working in Tesco takes
place through business procedures, detailed specifications and meeting at regular interval of
time. Generally, products that require a high level of specialist knowledge require a functional
structure. In context of Tesco, features of an organisational culture are friendliness, high
employees’ empowerment, decentralised structure, shared values as well as beliefs etc.
It is the flexible working hours has provides employees an ease in g4etting the time to engage
themselves in learning procedure and helped firm in managing knowledge in systematic manner.
Community of practice can be referred to as a team of professional those who are
informally bound with each other through exposure of common class of issues (Hislop, Bosua
and Helms, 2018),. According to the cognitive model, social interaction plays crucial role in
knowledge management (North and Kumta, 2018). Creation of knowledge in communities of
practices ids distinguish by key elements these are narrative which is utilised for identification of
issues as well as showing repositories of existing knowledge. Collaboration is another important
element in context of community of practices which is fuelled by people engaged in as well as
sharing common practice. In addition to this, last key element is social constructivism in which
people develop a common understanding of their practices and identify an appropriate solution to
different issues.
In context of Tesco, managers in an organisation has utilises the knowledge management
procedure cycle which has assisted them in identification of useful technique for organising an
individual thinking about knowledge management procedure. The knowledge creation phase in
the knowledge management procedure includes either development of new knowledge or
replacing existing knowledge with new content. According to the opinion of (), there are
basically four modes of knowledge creation s these are socialisation, combination,
externalisation and internalisation. In context of Tesco, an organisation has adopted two

knowledge management strategies these are personalisation or codification. Tesco has
implemented electronic document system for codifying as well as storing knowledge. Electronic
document system has been implemented by TESCO at workplace as it enables easy
dissemination as re-utilisation of information. In addition to this, personalisation strategy
adopted by Tesco emphasizes on developing social network for promoting knowledge transfer as
sharing within an enterprise
Organisational Learning is considered to be as a part of more encompassing procedure
which positioned an individual as active participant in the practice of social communities. It has
been analysed from the social learning theory that there are mainly three dimensions of
community of practices these are mutual agreement, Joint enterprise and shared repertoire. The
repertoire of community of practices includes stories, gestures, actions, symbols etc.
Management in Tesco has adopted the social learning approach to organisational learning. Social
learning approach to organisational learning considered complete enterprise in a society as a
system of object jointed by variety of relationship. The other model which is utilised by manager
in Tesco is Person oriented which is especially adopted by management in Tesco for motivating
people to share information as well as knowledge. It is a hypothesis which emphasizes on
spreading the knowledge within an enterprise that is built on the personal ties within an
enterprise. In context of Tesco, person oriented model has assisted them in positively
influencing people to participate in training program. In addition to this, panel discussions,
meetings, workshop are organised in order to enables employees to increase their knowledge and
develop skills. Person oriented knowledge model emphasizes on promoting sharing of
knowledge. Organisation learning approach adopted by Tesco, emphasizes on eliminating the
discrimination and it has focus on providing an individual with learning opportunities. In
context of Tesco, management development approach to organisation learning have focus on
positively influencing managers to differentiate themselves from the other people at workplace
by developing the unique set of skills, knowledge and core competencies. Management in Tesco
organises counselling program where person receives feedback. Management development
approach to organisational learning is based on awareness that increase in self-awareness as well
as understanding can lead to changes in behaviour that will further assist an individual in
increasing their effectiveness.

In context of organisational learning, manager in Tesco has developed an effective
policy in order to ensure that right people are recruited as well as employees in an organisation
are properly trained. Training program at regular interval are organised by managers or leaders at
regular interval of time in order to encourage workers to continue their learning procedure. In
addition to this, in Tesco leaders by developing the effective culture has enabled employees to
share their opinions, this is the tactic which has helped in generation of new idea which is very
much important for growth as well as bright future of an enterprise.
According to the interactive model strengthening social capital is very much essential as
it will lead to the development of strong relationship inside as well as outside enterprise. In
context of Tesco, it has been analysed that development of communication path has assisted
management in ensuring the data transferring at different level which is very much essential in
relation to knowledge creation as well as management. It has also been analysed that during the
time of information transferring, the useful information is identified, integrated and new
knowledge is created. As per the opinion of (Vilas-Boas, Davel and Bispo, 2018), both
knowledge management and results into intellectual capital synergy
social capital formation in an enterprise is one of the most crucial factor which have direct effect
on implementation of knowledge management within an enterprise. It has been analysed that
knowledge management have positive effect on the social capital. Both social capital and
knowledge management is very much essential in order to strengthen the firm intellectual capital.
In context of Tesco, an organisation has adopted the procedure approach which has assisted an
enterprise in strengthening the knowledge management as well as social capital (Thompson
Jowallah and Cavanagh, 2019). Tesco is required to develop absorptive capacity in order to
accomplish an optimal knowledge management and also for creation of new knowledge.
Absorptive capacity can be defined as potential to identify, assimilate information from both
internal and external sources. It has been analysed that the combining as well as exchange of
knowledge to create knowledge in an enterprise needs strong social capital (Bell and Harrison,
2018). Social network can be considered to be as complex network of human relationship which
is required to be developed overtime, as it will help in fostering sense of civic responsibility.
However, it has been argued by other author that social capital is basically a set of concepts like
trust, communications between people and norms. For instance, in context of Tesco,

management in an enterprise has provided workers with open communication channel which has
assisted them in creation as well as promotion of knowledge sharing at workplace.
In context of Tesco, managers or leaders in a firm has provided employees with open
communication channel, as this tactic has assisted them in promoting the knowledge transfer and
has helped them in managing knowledge at workplace. Routine oriented model to knowledge
management is supported by formalisation, highly structured and hierarchical documentary
system. In context of Tesco, leaders in an enterprise has developed this model by implementing
codification strategy. Routine oriented model is based on assumption that knowledge is used
independently.
In context of Tesco, intellectual capital reinforcement has assisted an enterprise in
strengthening of social capital. For example, in context of Tesco the procedure oriented approach
adopted has helped business entity in strengthening knowledge management
According to the cause and effect hypothesis, the chain of cause and effect leads to the business
success. It is the hypothesis which is based on assumption that initiative taken as well as efforts
put by employees is a fundamental cause of success of an enterprise. As per the view of peter
drunker innovation facilitated by creative people within an organisation helps management in
assuring long term business success. Innovation is the strategy which can assisted TESCO in
gaining competitive advantage.
Cause and effect hypothesis is based on the assumption that organisation learning as well
as growth of an enterprise is fostered by knowledge management. In context of Tesco, the
different activities which is performed by management in an enterprise for ensuring an effective
knowledge management includes regular training, implementation of collaborative
communication system and skills audit of employees (Dampson and Edwards, 2019). According
to the cause and effect hypothesis, it is the balance score card which creates the basis of an
enterprise strategic success. For instance, management in Tesco has put their all efforts and
taking high initiatives to drive firm towards success by bringing improvement in business
procedure as well as knowledge management system. As per the cause and effect hypothesis,
manager in Tesco has utilised the balance score cared approach for analysing the effect of
knowledge management on employees as well as business performance of company (Irvine and
Irvine, 2018). The main benefit of utilising the balance score card approach is that it has assisted

management in identifying the costs and benefit associated with implementation of knowledge
management system at workplace. Balance score card as performance management metrics has
also help management in TESCO in identifying the best techniques to build internal capabilities
like knowledge culture, human capital and tactic knowledge. For example, in context of Tesco,
business entity has utilised the balance score framework which has assisted its management in
analysing the way organizational learning and sense making influence actions relating to a global
marketing strategy and subsequent financial performance. It has been analysed that organisations
can improve their competitive position in industry or market just by concentrating on shared
interpretation within a firm and by utilising the balance scorecard for assessing the performance.
Soft thinking is basically an approach which is utilised for developing the
knowledge management system. It is approach which breaks big system into small subsystems.
For insistence, management in Tesco has implemented the soft thinking system which has
assisted management in eliminating the broad range of issues which can arise in implementation
of the knowledge management. It has also helped management in identification of those internal
as well as external factors which might influence knowledge management. Soft system
methodology can also consider to be as a technique which can be utilised for solving complex
problems related to knowledge management (Rowley and Farrow, 2018). SSM utilise systems
thinking in a cycle of action research, learning and reflection to assist in understanding the
various perceptions that exist in the minds of the different people involved in the situation. Soft
system can also be used for managing change within an enterprise which is required to
implemented in order to promote knowledge creation as well as sharing. In context of TESCO,
management in an organisation provide both on job role and off the job role training to
employees. The methods utilised by management in Tesco for providing on the job training to
employees includes shadowing, coaching and mentoring.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the assignment is that knowledge creation is very much
essential in context of organisation in order to fulfil the demands and meet the expectation of
customers. From the above study, it has been found that there is direct relationship between
social capital as well as knowledge management. It has also been concluded that knowledge
management have positive effect on social capital. The other fact which has been discovered
from the study is that knowledge management assist in strengthening of intellectual capital of an

enterprise. It has been concluded that people oriented approach is very much effective in context
of creation of knowledge.
It has been suggested that an organisation should adopt the procedure oriented approach
to knowledge management as it will help them in fulling the demands and meeting the
expectation of customers. Managers in an enterprise has been provided with advice to develop
the understanding about person oriented model, as this tactic will help them in identification of
suitable techniques for promoting knowledge sharing at workplace.

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