Nory B. Jones

Using “knowledge champions” to facilitate knowledge management

Executives and strategists have long recognized the value of knowledge as a primary driving source for a firm’s sustainable competitive advantage – hence the creation by many firms of a position called the chief knowledge officer (CKO). However, many people have proposed differing perspectives and models relating to the concept of knowledge management. In this paper differing knowledge management viewpoints are examined, by examining and integrating theories relating to the diffusion of innovations and change agents. The roles of change agents, innovators, and opinion leaders, such as CKOs, are explored in terms of effective knowledge management strategies and techniques. A model and strategies are proposed that can serve as a framework for CKOs and other knowledge management change agents to effectively facilitate the acquisition and use of knowledge in the firm by effectively using an organizational memory system.

Success Factors in the Implementation of a Collaborative Technology and Resulting Productivity Improvements in a Small Business: An Exploratory Study

End user development of applications forms a significant part of organizational systems development. This study investigates the role that developing an application plays in the eventual success of the application for the user developer. The results of this study suggest that the process of developing an application not only predisposes an end user developer to be more satisfied with the application than they would be if it were developed by another end user, but also leads them to perform better with it. Thus, the results of the study highlight the contribution of the process of application development to user developed application success.

Impact of social media on small businesses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role and economic impact that the internet, specifically websites and social media, have on small businesses. It aims to investigate the benefits available from the use of the internet and social media sites for small businesses that operate in underserved regions. Design/methodology/approach – The research utilizes a case study methodology based on two surveys and semi-structured interviews with the owners or managers of five small companies in the western mountain region of Maine, a region described as underserved by the state departments of tourism and economic development – generally economically depressed, where the businesses are often struggling to survive. Findings – Benefits from the use of websites and social media sites include an increase in awareness and inquiries, enhanced relationships with customers, an increase in the number of new customers, enhanced ability to reach customers on a global scale, and co-promotion of local businesses th...

Developing a university research web-based knowledge portal

A university represents the ultimate knowledge organisation. However, many researchers are not aware of the research activities within their own universities. This often leads to redundancy in areas of research as well as reduced innovation and productivity since they are not aware of the available expertise and resources that could greatly contribute to their own research endeavours. Knowledge management represents a systematic means of acquiring, sharing, and using knowledge effectively within an organisation. This paper explores web-based systems to connect researchers using knowledge management methodologies via a web-based portal. A team of graduate students and a professor of MIS (Management Information Systems) followed a systems analysis and design process as a learning experience for the students to understand the information and knowledge needs of university faculty. Based on these explorations, a university knowledge portal was developed to fill a perceived gap in knowledge sharing and accessibility within the university.

Nimble Knowledge Transfer in High Velocity/Turbulent Environments

Purpose – This paper aims to clarify the relationship between explicit and tacit knowledge in specific organizational environments. It seeks to explore processes and strategies currently being deployed as best practices in the military to see what can be learnt from them and to improve the use of knowledge assets in large‐scale organizations in high‐velocity and/or turbulent environments.Design/methodology/approach – High velocity/turbulent environments are defined. The paper uses examples from the public sector and the private sector and provides a model for knowledge management in high velocity/turbulent environments (HVTE) and offers several propositions for further exploration.Findings – The paper provides insights into how and why tacit knowledge is more important to decision making and strategic positioning in high velocity/turbulent environments. The complexity of knowledge management is enormous.Practical implications – What the authors learned from the military can serve as lessons for businesses...

Harnessing tacit knowledge for innovation creation in multinational enterprises: an internal social network approach

This paper presents a propositional framework for an updated understanding of the relationship between the internal social networks of a multinational enterprise (MNE), harnessing of tacit knowledge within these networks, the role that culture plays in tacit knowledge exchange, and the ultimate creation of innovation. Thus, we examine theories of tacit knowledge creation and exchange, social networking theory, cultural influences and propose an integrated understanding of MNE innovation creation through internal social networks. The contribution of this paper is in the formulation of propositions that encapsulate the functional relationships between internal social networks, tacit knowledge, cultural considerations and innovation creation in MNEs. Managerial and research implications are then drawn.

An Exploratory Study on Knowledge Sharing, Information Technologies and Firm Performance

The resource-based theory of the firm suggests that an organizations sustainable competitive advantage is based on rare, difficult to imitate resources and core competencies. While research has focused on the relationship between IT investments and resulting firm performance, we speculate that knowledge sharing and the ability to use IT resources effectively to harness the intellectual capital within the firm are more important drivers of innovation, quality, and firm performance. Our study surveyed top executives from several industries to examine their perspectives on internal knowledge sharing and use of collaborative technologies and to explore the role of organizational culture on knowledge sharing and use of these technologies. Top executive respondents value knowledge sharing and view using collaborative technologies important to sharing knowledge. There is a significant correlation between knowledge sharing and two categories of organizational culture that encourage teamwork and innovation, and there is evidence that knowledge sharing is related to firm financial performance.

The challenge of knowledge corruption in high velocity, turbulent environments

Purpose This paper aims to explore a new concept of knowledge corruption (KC) within knowledge management with a focus on KC in high-velocity, turbulent environments (HVTEs) and its impact on business and military competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual paper explores existing literature and then develops new models involving the impact of KC on knowledge transfer and the moderating variables of culture and leadership in HVTEs. Findings Several new models are proposed including knowledge transfer and corruption in HVTEs with possible forms of KC, the relationships of variables in tacit knowledge transfer (TKT) and KC in HVTEs and organizational archetypes for TKT and KC. Research limitations/implications While the literature review provides a decent analysis of existing theories and models, the review is not exhaustive, and there may be alternative models and theories not covered. Practical implications The development of new models and theories within the field of knowledge management on KC in HVTEs represents important practical knowledge for management to reduce KC within their organizations to improve more effective knowledge transfer for sustainable innovation and better decision-making. Originality/value This paper provides a new, unique look at aspects of knowledge management that are currently underserved. The concepts of KC and HVTEs represent original content within this field.

Collaborative systems and internal marketing communications in knowledge transfer

This paper explores a new model of knowledge sharing via collaborative systems, facilitated by internal marketing communications. While it is well documented that collaborative systems can potentially enhance knowledge sharing within organisations, a major deficit in the literature involves the mechanisms to educate and motivate associates to use these systems in productive ways. In this paper, we revisit the foundation of the value of collaborative systems and its potential value to the sustainable competitive advantage of an organisation. We present two case studies which serve as validation for the original premise. We conclude by proposing a model for the missing piece; development of a systematic internal marketing communications strategy to inform, educate and motivate associates to effectively use the collaborative systems.

Intelligent Virtual Assistant's Impact on Technical Proficiency within Virtual Teams.

Information-systemsdevelopmentcontinuestobeadifficultprocess,particularlyforvirtualteams thatdonothavetheluxuryofmeetingface-to-face.Theresearchliteratureonthistopicreinforces thispoint: thegreaterpartofdatabasesystemsdevelopmentprojectsends in failure.Theuseof virtualteamstocompleteprojectsfurthercompoundsthesefailures.However,recentdevelopments inintelligentvirtualassistants(IVAs),suchasSiri,Cortana,orWatson,havecreatedopportunitiesto automatethesystems-developmentprocessandimprovesuccessrates.Specifically,theuseofavirtual assistantpossessingkeyknowledgeaboutdatabasesystemsdevelopmentcanincreasevirtualteam membertechnicalproficiencyinproject-basedskills.Inaddition,avirtualassistantcancontributeto thedevelopmentofhigher-qualityvirtualteamprojects—inthiscase,databasemanagementsystems. Thisobservationalstudyfoundthatwhiletheresultofstatisticalanalysiswasnotquitesignificant, teamsthatusedtheIVAdiddevelophigher-qualityteamprojects. KEywoRdS Information Systems Development, Intelligent Virtual Assistant, Technical Proficiency, Virtual Environments, Virtual Team Effectiveness, Virtual Teams