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
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- present convincing and well-argued cases for managerial action plans;
- be aware of, and understand, the appropriate relevant research literature.
- understand the complexity of the knowledge management tasks facing organisations;
- evaluate appropriate courses of managerial action from a range of alternatives;
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;
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.
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- appreciate the knowledge needs of organisations in commercial and public sectors;
- understand and reflect upon the difficulties of implementing knowledge management systems in organisational settings.
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.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 |
| Lecture | 24 |
| Follow-up work | 10 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 20 |
| Completion of assessment task | 20 |
| Revision | 36 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Hislop, D. (2013). Knowledge Management in Organisations: A Critical Introduction. Oxford University Press.
Becerra-Fernandez, I (2008). Knowledge Management: An evolutionary view [electronic resource available via WebCat]. M.E. Sharpe, Inc.
Assessment
Formative
Formative assessment description
Questions and answersSummative
Summative assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual assignment | 100% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Written assessment | 100% |
Repeat
Repeat assessment description
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Individual assignment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External