Does Practice Reflect Theory? An Exploratory Study of a Successful Knowledge Management System
To investigate the correspondence of theory and
practice, a successfully implemented Knowledge Management
System (KMS) is explored through the lens of Alavi and Leidner-s
proposed KMS framework for the analysis of an information system
in knowledge management (Framework-AISKM). The applied KMS
system was designed to manage curricular knowledge in a distributed
university environment. The motivation for the KMS is discussed
along with the types of knowledge necessary in an academic setting.
Elements of the KMS involved in all phases of capturing and
disseminating knowledge are described. As the KMS matures the
resulting data stores form the precursor to and the potential for
knowledge mining. The findings from this exploratory study indicate
substantial correspondence between the successful KMS and the
theory-based framework providing provisional confirmation for the
framework while suggesting factors that contributed to the system-s
success. Avenues for future work are described.
[1] M. Alavi and D.E. Leidner, "Review: Knowledge management and
knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research
issues," MIS Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 107-136, March 2001.
[2] I. Nonaka and N. Konno, "The concept of "ba": Building a foundation
for knowledge creation," California Management Review, vol. 40, no. 3,
pp. 40-54, Spring 1998.
[3] P. E. Maher and J. L. Kourik, "A knowledge management system for
disseminating semi-structured information in a worldwide university,"
Proceedings of Portland International Center for Management of
Engineering Conference (PICMET08) "Technology Management for a
Sustainable Economy" Cape Town, South Africa, July 27-31, 2008. pp
1936-1942.
[4] J. L. Kourik and P. E. Maher, "Establishing a consistent curriculum in a
distributed campus environment: lessons learned while moving towards
accreditation," Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on
Information Technology: New Generations, IEEE Computer Society.
Las Vegas, Nevada, April 7-9, 2008.
[5] I. Nonaka, "A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation,"
Organization Science, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 40-54, February 1994.
[6] I. Nonaka and H. Takeuchi, The Knowledge Creating Company. New
York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995.
[7] G. von Krogh, K. Ichijo, and I. Nonaka, Enabling Knowledge Creation.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
[8] K. A. Grant and C. T. Grant, "Developing a model of next generation
knowledge management," Proceedings of Informing Science and
Information Technology Education (InSITE) 2008, Varna, Bulgaria,
June 22-25, 2008, pp 571-590.
[9] C.D. Cramton, "The mutual knowledge problem and its consequences
for dispersed collaboration," Organization Science, vol. 12, no. 3, pp.
346-371, May-June 2001.
[1] M. Alavi and D.E. Leidner, "Review: Knowledge management and
knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research
issues," MIS Quarterly, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 107-136, March 2001.
[2] I. Nonaka and N. Konno, "The concept of "ba": Building a foundation
for knowledge creation," California Management Review, vol. 40, no. 3,
pp. 40-54, Spring 1998.
[3] P. E. Maher and J. L. Kourik, "A knowledge management system for
disseminating semi-structured information in a worldwide university,"
Proceedings of Portland International Center for Management of
Engineering Conference (PICMET08) "Technology Management for a
Sustainable Economy" Cape Town, South Africa, July 27-31, 2008. pp
1936-1942.
[4] J. L. Kourik and P. E. Maher, "Establishing a consistent curriculum in a
distributed campus environment: lessons learned while moving towards
accreditation," Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on
Information Technology: New Generations, IEEE Computer Society.
Las Vegas, Nevada, April 7-9, 2008.
[5] I. Nonaka, "A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation,"
Organization Science, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 40-54, February 1994.
[6] I. Nonaka and H. Takeuchi, The Knowledge Creating Company. New
York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1995.
[7] G. von Krogh, K. Ichijo, and I. Nonaka, Enabling Knowledge Creation.
Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.
[8] K. A. Grant and C. T. Grant, "Developing a model of next generation
knowledge management," Proceedings of Informing Science and
Information Technology Education (InSITE) 2008, Varna, Bulgaria,
June 22-25, 2008, pp 571-590.
[9] C.D. Cramton, "The mutual knowledge problem and its consequences
for dispersed collaboration," Organization Science, vol. 12, no. 3, pp.
346-371, May-June 2001.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:56215", author = "Janet L. Kourik and Peter E. Maher", title = "Does Practice Reflect Theory? An Exploratory Study of a Successful Knowledge Management System", abstract = "To investigate the correspondence of theory and
practice, a successfully implemented Knowledge Management
System (KMS) is explored through the lens of Alavi and Leidner-s
proposed KMS framework for the analysis of an information system
in knowledge management (Framework-AISKM). The applied KMS
system was designed to manage curricular knowledge in a distributed
university environment. The motivation for the KMS is discussed
along with the types of knowledge necessary in an academic setting.
Elements of the KMS involved in all phases of capturing and
disseminating knowledge are described. As the KMS matures the
resulting data stores form the precursor to and the potential for
knowledge mining. The findings from this exploratory study indicate
substantial correspondence between the successful KMS and the
theory-based framework providing provisional confirmation for the
framework while suggesting factors that contributed to the system-s
success. Avenues for future work are described.", keywords = "Applied KMS, education, knowledge management
(KM), KM framework, knowledge management system (KMS).", volume = "2", number = "9", pages = "1002-8", }