Knowledge Management

Description:

In this course students study a critical approach to theories and applications of knowledge management/knowledge sharing in corporations, non-profits, and other organizations. Knowledge as a resource and asset are considered. The role of communication specialists, information managers, specialized librarians, and knowledge advocates is examined, and case studies are used to learn how knowledge is created, how it flows, is exchanged and is used for organizational learning. Knowledge tools such as decision support systems, mind mapping software and social networking are studied from an organizational knowledge sharing perspective. An interdisciplinary collection of readings and online resources are used in the course to appeal to communication, media, and library and information science students.

Critical approach to theories and applications of knowledge management in organizations, with special attention to knowledge creation and knowledge sharing. Knowledge artifacts as resources and assets. Knowledge repositories and transfer of technology. Applications of information technologies to knowledge management.

Learning objectives:

• Become familiar with the theoretical perspectives of knowledge creation, knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing, and knowledge leadership roles and skills;
• Understand how the study of communication relates to knowledge development and knowledge sharing in organizations;
• Read about and discuss the relationship between knowledge management and a learning organization;
• Understand the differences between tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge and the way each is treated in the literature and in knowledge management/ knowledge sharing programs;
• Examine case studies of knowledge management/sharing systems and how they are implemented in the workplace;
• Investigate codification methods used to provide access to knowledge products;
• Study models of knowledge management programs and the technology and communication tools used to implement such models such as structured controversy and decision support systems;
• Learn how communication professionals contribute to a firm's knowledge management program;
• Learn about the ethical issues and problems inherent in knowledge Management/knowledge sharing.