Knowledge Management Systems:Emerging Views and Practices from the Field

Maryam Alavi and Dorothy Leidner

Proceedings of the 32nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences - 1999

Research ObjectiveAnalysis of current practices and

outcomes of KMS and the nature of KMS

Finding the suggest in KMSType of accurate knowledge and

garnering support for contributing to the KMS

IntroductionInformation technologies

designed to assist managerial and professional workers ◦Management Information System

(MIS)◦Decision Support System (DSS)◦Executive Information System (EIS)◦Knowledge Management System

(KMS)

IntroductionKnowledge is a broad and

abstract notion that has defined epistemological debates in western philosophy since the classical Greek era

Knowledge is a justified personal belief that increases an individual’s capacity to take effective action

MethodologyVanguard organizations from 12 countriesA non-random sample of 109 participants

in an executive development program◦Chief Information Officers (CIOs)◦ Information Systems (IS) Managers◦General and Functional Area Executives

Questionnaire ◦The questionnaire contained 13 questions

consisting of short answers and multiple choice. The respondents estimated about 30 minutes to complete.

Interview

ResultRepresented a range of countries,

organizational positions, and industries◦ United States 32 respondents◦ Australia 4 respondents◦ Canada 2 respondents◦ England 1 respondents◦ Germany 1 respondents◦ Israel 2 respondents◦ Luxembourg 2 respondents◦ Netherlands 2 respondents◦ Saudi Arabia 1 respondents◦ South Africa 1 respondents◦ Spain 1 respondents◦ Switzerland 1 respondents

Table: Perspectives on the meaning of knowledge management

Table: Needed Knowledge Management Capabilities

Table: Key concerns related to knowledge management

Figure: Estimated average budgets of KMS

in organizations with KMS

Figure: Initiators of KMS with or developing KMS

Table: Percent of KMS with various technologies/tools

Table: Importance of Knowledge domain (maximum of 7)

Table: Perceived benefits of existing knowledge management systems

DiscussionKMS is not just for consulting and

professional services firmsKnowledge management systems are

multi-facetedTry to develop metrics to assess benefits of

KMS Integrated and integrative technology

architecture is a key driver for KMSKnowledge in the context of KMS is

perceived to constitute a new form of information not previously addressed in other systems such as MIS, DSS, and EIS.

ConclusionProblem

◦ Respondents were not drawn from a random sample of organizations or industries

◦ The number of respondents was relatively small, their views do represent a range of industries, organizational levels, and nationalities

The success of KMS may be more related to organizational culture than to organizational structure

User must be involved in the consistent maintenance and operation of KMS

The decision making process for determining what knowledge to include in KMS

Evaluating Papers1. What related work is being undertaken? - The design and chose the appropriate organization’s KMS system.

2. What is the motivation for the work? - Knowledge is the organizational asset that enables sustainable competitive advantage in hypercompetitive environments and KMS just beginning to appear in organization.

3. What techniques are in use? - Interview, questionnaire, reference gathering and conclusion.

4. What are the findings of the papers? - The concept and perspectives of knowledge management, needed knowledge management capabilities and benefits of KMS.

5. How does it help me? - Understand KMS system, KMS design and KMS development. Also help to understand and choses the correct amount and type of accurate knowledge to contribute my KMS

6. Why am I studying this aspect of the  problem? - This article clarify to the KMS analysis, outcome of KMS, and nature of KMS.