Knowledge Management | MANG3010 | University of Southampton

Module overview

As organisations have become more knowledge intensive, the ability to manage knowledge has become a matter of competitive survival. This module is intended to provide students with a blend of theory and current practice in knowledge management in organisations. After introducing the contemporary importance of knowledge and knowledge management, information and communication technologies that play a prominent role in knowledge management processes are examined. The module examines the importance of knowledge for organisational learning, as well as knowledge creation and organisational unlearning. Socio-cultural issues related to managing and sharing knowledge will also be considered. The role of leadership and how it can support and facilitate knowledge management activities is also examined.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

confidently understand the knowledge needs of organisations, and the managerial mechanisms available to accommodate such needs;
produce an integrated written report at an appropriate intellectual and practical level.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

recognising the challenges facing those responsible for the creation, transfer and storage of organisational knowledge.
appreciation of the role and importance of knowledge in 21st Century organisations;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

understand the complexity of the knowledge management tasks facing organisations;
present convincing and well-argued cases for managerial action plans;
be aware of, and understand, the appropriate relevant research literature.
evaluate appropriate courses of managerial action from a range of alternatives;

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

understand and reflect upon the difficulties of implementing knowledge management systems in organisational settings.
appreciate the knowledge needs of organisations in commercial and public sectors;

Syllabus

Knowledge management - Key concepts
Knowledge creation and loss
Knowledge transfer
Knowledge storage
Information technology (IT) in knowledge management
Organisational learning and the learning organisation
Organisational culture and knowledge sharing
Knowledge, power and knowledge-intensive firms
Social issues relating to managing and sharing knowledge
Communities of practice
Leadership and Knowledge Management

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

lecture-based
with supporting classes where appropriate.

Learning activities include:

You will be expected to actively participate in the learning process
using Blackboard or other facilitative media.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	24
Seminar	10
Preparation for scheduled sessions	20
Completion of assessment task	20
Wider reading or practice	30
Follow-up work	10
Revision	36
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Becerra-Fernandez, I (2008). Knowledge Management: An evolutionary view [electronic resource available via WebCat]. M.E. Sharpe, Inc.

Hislop, D. (2013). Knowledge Management in Organisations: A Critical Introduction. Oxford University Press.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Individual assignment Questions and answers

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Individual assignment	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Written assessment	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Individual assignment	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External