Managing Codified Knowledge Essay -- Organizational Knowledge

Managing Codified Knowledge – A Review Knowledge has long been considered an intangible asset that can only be passed on from a teacher to his pupils through years of teaching and knowledge transfer. However, present day technological advancements and the increasingly dynamic nature of knowledge have led to the dissolution of the â€Å"sacred† teacher-pupil affiliation. Knowledge, now, is more of an entity that can be codified, stored, mined and retrieved as and when required, by any one and anywhere around the world. Albert Einstein’s quote, â€Å"The only source of knowledge is experience†, is now more of an anecdote than reality, as more and more organizations are realizing that knowledge learned from one’s experience can be codified, i.e. transformed into knowledge â€Å"packets† that can be stored and transferred to others. Business organizations have been the primary users of such codified knowledge, as huge amounts of information runs through the various divisions of an organizati on, which can be integrated and used for making more profitable, strategic and constructive business decisions. Thus, the need for knowledge management arose, wherein, chunks of codified knowledge has to be appropriately managed for ease of retrieval and use. The influential paper, â€Å"Managing Codified Knowledge† by Zack (1999) is reviewed here. The definition of knowledge and knowledge management, the benefits of knowledge management, the author’s rhetoric on the architecture of knowledge management and its importance in modern business organizations are discussed here. This paper also attempts to analyze two case studies presented by the author, and a brief summarization of the author’s key findings is also intended. The author discusses knowledge and knowled... ...e in retrieval of knowledge. The author cites the example of Buckman Laboratories, which successfully used the interactive approach to knowledge management. This organization, which originally sold chemical products, chose to offer solutions to its customers’ chemical treatment problems. It used innumerable â€Å"field associates† across the world, who had several years experience in solving such problems. Their tacit knowledge, based on experience and expertise was harnessed through interactive knowledge management. An online knowledge management infrastructure was created that was independent of time zones, location, language and even computer proficiency. The field associates interacted on a common platform, and their conversations, contributions and information exchanges were recorded, preserved and made available to all via K’Netix, The Buckman Knowledge Network.

How have the values of the boys changed by Chapter 10? Essay

In chapter 10 there is a shift of values form a democracy to a dictatorship. Following Jack’s rebellion most of the boys have left camp and joined forces with Jack, now known as ‘The Chief’, at Castle Rock. Since they first landed on the island as innocent school children a lot has changed, as many of the values which they once held are disregarded on account of them being stranded on the island. When Jack first arrived on the island he was the eldest and naturally assumed that it was his destiny to be in charge. As head choir boy, Jack has been set aside from the rest, â€Å"golden cap badge† and it is obvious that back home he was very important and was given the authority in terms of the choir. Due to the control he exerts we can understand that prior to landing on the island, Jack was a leader who ruled by fear. When they first meet the rest of the boys it takes the combined efforts of begging â€Å"But, Merridew. Please, Merridew †¦ can’t we?† and a boy fainting for him to consider the two groups merging. Here we can see Jack’s instant aversion to situations where he is not fully in charge. This means that often times he would prefer separatism, as we see when he distinguishes the Hunters, to co-habitation where making compromises and accept other people’s points of view. We know that Jack doesn’t like this because before he goes to form his own tribe he says † It’s time some people knew they’ve got to keep quiet and leave deciding things to the rest of us.† Jack was at first in agreement with the request for democracy but this was only because he was convinced that he would win the vote. When he realises that he has in fact lost out to Ralph he â€Å"blush[es] with mortification†. He is not sure whether to stay or go when he is offered charge of the Hunters. By taking over the hunters Jack tries to gain favour with the boys because he thinks that the boys will become dependent on him. However the longing for rescue and the fact that the tool for rescue is Ralph’s brainchild means that Ralph continued to have the upper hand on Jack. Despite this Jack still tries his best to prove himself to the boys. For example, at first like many of the boys on the island Jack is unable to kill however now, behind the mask, he kills to show his power and control over the lives of others. However William Golding makes the death of Simon strange, in that Jack does not take responsibility and is almost afraid of what he has become. â€Å"Roger gathered a handful of stones and began to throw them. Yet there was a space round Henry, perhaps six yards in diameter, into which he dare not throw. Here, invisible yet strong, was the taboo of the old life. Round the squatting child was the protection of parents and school and policemen and the law.† Roger is portrayed to be a very cruel character and this quotation shows the beginning if the boy’s falls into uncivilisation however at this early stage the boys still act in a civilised nature. However like many of the older boys Roger chooses to test the water and soon enough the urge to destroy overcomes him. Despite this Roger still feels restricted by â€Å"parents and school and policemen and the law†-the adults who make the rules and make sure they are followed. However before long, Roger and most of the other boys lose their respect for values and morals, and violence, torture, and murder break out as the savagery becomes the distinctive sway i n the group At first Ralph is esteemed and supports all the boys on the island due to the way that he has kept a level head despite being on tropical island. His strong-willed nature means that when others break down he is still solid. However with talks of beasts and mutiny Ralph becomes disgruntled and begins to think of home a lot. Towards the end of the book despite having the symbol of democracy, the conch he feels that that this is useless against Jack’s oppressive regime.

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