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Presented by Eric Havens, Sanusha Matthews, and Mike Copciac Knowledge and Its Attributes by Clyde W. Holsapple Slide 2 Asking Webster Knowledge- the range of ones information or understanding Information- knowledge obtained from investigation, study, or instruction..also defined as facts, data. Data-factual information used as a basis for discussion So that leaves us with: Knowledge is a range of information, information is knowledge, information is data, and data is information. Useful definitions? Slide 3 Knowledge as Usable Representations A representation is an arrangement in time/space Ex. words in a conversation, diagrams, photographs, etc. Newell says knowledge cannot so easily be seen, only imagined as the result of interpretive processes operating on symbolic expressions. This suggests that knowledge doesnt exist outside of the processor that perceives or has a representation that it finds to be usable. Slide 4 Knowledge as a Progression of States Variations in the usability of a representation(depending on processor, task, environment, etc) Six states of Knowledge proposed by Van Lohuizen 1)Decision 2)Judgement 3)Insight 4)Structured Information 5)Information 6)Data Slide 5 Fundamental notions with Knowledge as a Progression of States 1)States of Knowledge exist 2) These states form a progression from the lowest level, where usability is marginal or potenitla to higher levels where usability is clearer or more immediate. 3) Knowledge States are subject to change through various kinds of processes Slide 6 Production Perspective Slide 7 Knowledge Versus Information Perspective Views knowledge as a state in its own right, as something beyond information. The states used earlier (data, information, etc) are viewed as precursors to knowledge. Data is turned into information and information is turned into knowledge. Slide 8 A note on the various perspectives These perspectives arent exhaustive, but can help us be familiar with some of the more common ones. Also, it may be obvious that certain authors are taken a given perspective while sometimes it may not be so apparent. Slide 9 Knowledge and technology 1990s rise of knowledge management as a prominent field of practice, research, and study coincided with tremendous advances in computing and communication technology. There are two extreme for the relationship between technology and knowledge management Knowledge management has nothing to do with technology Knowledge management is all about technology Slide 10 Technology is incidental Knowledge is defined as uniquely human, which exist in the context of human interpretation and processing. Technology has no role at all in knowledge management. But if technology is eliminated, then knowledge management has the following loses Knowledge would flow via face to face meetings, physical bulletin boards, hardcopy reports and memos, surface mail, fax telephone conversation, and so forth; but groupware, email, electronic forums, computer mediated communications, workflow systems, and computer supported cooperative work would be of little relevance to knowledge work. Slide 11 Technology is incidental Knowledge repositories would include pieces of paper, briefing books, filing cabinets, traditional libraries, and memories; but digital documents, databases, web pages, and software libraries would not have a role in KM. Knowledge generation would be performed by human mind power, with the aid of pencil and paper; but solvers or spreadsheets for deriving forecast, expectations, and analyses would be out-of-bounds; rule sets, case bases, and reference engines for deriving advice would be out-of-bounds; data mining, text mining, and automated pattern recognition for knowledge discovery would be out-of-bounds. Technological means for acquiring and selecting knowledge-search engines, web crawlers, intelligent agents- would be of little importance to knowledge workers. Slide 12 Technology is everything Another view is encompassing the lower states of information and data or seeing computer based processors as capable of interpretation and processing However if humans are eliminated then knowledge management has the following loses. Knowledge management could not have predated the advent of computer based technology, but this would ignore the long history of organizations struggling to achieve value from knowledge assets. Technology would become an end in and of itself, without attention to its consequences. Technology vendors would become the primary sources for KM solutions. Slide 13 Technology is everything Technology would become the starting point and driver of KM initiatives, instead of basing KM efforts on human traits and capabilities, coupled with organizational objectives. KM initiatives would concentrate on explicit knowledge, leaving the tacit mode of knowledge largely unattended. People would be seen as supporting the technology, instead of technology enabling, supplementing, complementing, or amplifying human knowledge processing abilities. Slide 14 Middle path Another path of knowledge management can be concerned with including people, technology, organization and the fits among them We can focus on the representation that computer based processors can utilize in accomplishing various task. The specifics on such processors and how they can be devised, improved and managed to support and facilitate the human dimension of knowledge management Slide 15 Computer based technology as a servant of knowledge management One way the CBT has transformed life and organization is by transforming how knowledge work is done. CBT is concerned with digital means of representation and processing knowledge CBT has transformed how individuals and organization accomplish knowledge works by amplifying complimenting leveraging and improving human knowledge handling capabilities. CBT progressed from data processing systems(1950-1960) to management information system(1960-1970) to decision support system(1970-1990) to organizational computing system(1980-1990) to ubiquitous computing(1990) Slide 16 Computer based technology as a servant of knowledge management Technology from a knowledge perceptive triumphs in its ability to connect more people in more ways than ever before, example email, intranet, discussion forums, chat rooms etc. CBT is increasingly becoming all about knowledge management CBT researchers are knowledge management researchers whether they recognize it or not. There are opportunities for research that improves on current CBT for Enabling and facilitating knowledge flows among knowledge processors(human and computer based) Slide 17 Computer based technology as a servant of knowledge management Supporting and performing knowledge manipulation tasks. Assisting in the measurement, control, coordination, and leadership of knowledge and knowledge processors. Helping ensure that the right knowledge gets to the right processors in the right formats at the right times and at the right cost. To advance the field of business computing, we need to better understand the users and usage of CBT in knowledge management. What works and under what condition does it work? What does not work and why? What CBT advances and breakthroughs are needed? How do we cultivate good fits between technological infrastructure on one hand and organizational infrastructure on the other hand in knowledge based organizations? Slide 18 Computer based technology as a servant of knowledge management To advance the business computing field, we need to study outcomes of using CBT in knowledge management What are its competitive impacts? How can CBT be used to implement a knowledge chain activity? Or, in a more targeted vein, how can CBT be used to enhance productivity, agility, or reputation as a means for competitive advantage? Slide 19 Knowledge Attributes Each instance of knowledge has a point in space Defines what type of processors can operate Determines of processing that can be subjected to Knowledge characteristics Mode Tacit vs. Explicit Type Descriptive vs. Procedure vs. Reasoning Domain / Orientation Subject or broad domain Relational or Relative or Self-knowledge orientation Applicability / Management / Usage Slide 20 Knowledge Attributes contd Applicability / Management / Usage Local or global applicability Operational or Management or Strategic planning control Professional or Improvement uses Accessibility / Utility Privately or publicly accessible or in between Levels of usefulness defines utility Clarity Meaning Relevance Importance Slide 21 Knowledge Attributes contd Validity / Proficiency / Source Accuracy or consistency or confidence determines validity Degree of expertise defines proficiency Origin of knowledge Temporal attributes dependent on time Immediacy, Age, Perishability, Volatility Slide 22 Conclusion Knowledge Management Multidisciplinary field with substantial opportunity Relatively new field with multiple viewpoints & perspectives Attributes are all potential areas of research