In the scientific literature on economics, one can increasingly come across the concept of “knowledge management”. This term is widely used in research and practical work, used by enterprises in various fields of activity. Knowledge management - management of the process of recognition, storage, application and transmission of data that can subsequently be improved and used for its intended purpose.
Definition
Knowledge management is an independent branch of management science. Some experts consider it to be one of the types of management that should be applied in any activity that requires competent management of information and analytical processes.
Managing knowledge means owning a strategy that can transform all subtypes of intellectual capital into improved indicators of labor productivity, a more favorable cost of the final product and sustainable competitiveness. The concept of knowledge management implies a complex combination consisting of several elements of the organization’s management, including HR management, innovative and communication development of the enterprise using modern information technologies.
If you uncover the concept of this term from a scientific point of view, you get a kind of mix of economic disciplines, various directions, approaches and concepts. The knowledge management model itself has been used in theory and practice at all times, but little was known about it, since it was called differently. The knowledge management system is similar in concept to personal marketing, the theory of consumer relations, reengineering, administration, personnel management of an enterprise, etc.
At the moment, it is important to note the emergence of new opportunities in connection with the development of information projects, the formation of local networks and the Internet. On the other hand, the management of intellectual assets is not identified with the use of new information technologies in the managerial environment. An important part of knowledge management is the selection of the right technology for adapting, disseminating and converting data.
What is included in this concept?
The role of the discipline “Knowledge Management” can hardly be overestimated, especially at the present stage, when a marked shift is planned from internal to external. The knowledge management industry, associated with the traditional principles of management in the field of technological innovation, deals not only with scientific, technical and design developments, but also requires taking into account the marketing policy of the enterprise, interaction with the consumer, programs for the exchange of knowledge and experience with partners, etc. .
Since the main goal of knowledge management is to strengthen market positions and increase competitiveness indicators, this industry covers several areas at once. The structure of this concept includes the following elements:
- the formation of new knowledge;
- stimulation of information growth;
- filtering of significant data coming from outside;
- the use of proven and the search for new sources of reliable information;
- storage, distribution, processing and increasing the availability of knowledge;
- distribution and exchange of information, primarily within the enterprise;
- implementation of data in production processes;
- accounting for analytical information when making important decisions;
- the content of information in the finished product, service, documents, software, etc .;
- assessment of the degree of data protection.
Thus, in order to manage information, several conditions are required at once, since this industry is not autonomous and does not exist by itself. The knowledge management process has an important place in shaping the development strategy of any organization. This tool combines and codifies the incoming information, distributes it in the right directions and uses it for its intended purpose. In this organization management model, innovation and training management takes place.
In another interpretation, managing knowledge means influencing the cost of production, making it more profitable, and the intangible assets of the organization should play the main role in its formation. Maintaining and developing the popularity of the brand as an indicator of the prestige of the company is a complex task that requires a thorough approach. Without the desire to convert knowledge into value, it is almost impossible to take a business to a new level. It is information management that can change the way of thinking and help move away from outdated forms of enterprise development.
History of development
Knowledge management embraced the business of Western Europe, the USA, and China several decades ago. The popularity of this area indicates how significant it is considered in the global economy. Knowledge management standards have come to Russia. And although this information-economic tool has been used by domestic enterprises relatively recently, it can already be concluded that in our country this direction is in demand.
The first mention of the management of knowledge and skills can be found in the works of Plato, dated IV century BC. Until the middle of the last century, this scientific direction did not develop in any way, it remained in a "sleeping" mode. The interest in knowledge management was prompted by repeated episodes of the global crisis and its consequences, radical changes in the forms and methods of doing business. Over time, major business players have come to the conclusion that it is information that is the main resource for economic development and prosperity. All business processes are based on industry knowledge, which increase their share in the formation of the value of finished products.
In fact, all modern sectors of the economy that have arisen and have spread widely over the past decades are based on knowledge management. The development of pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, the chemical industry and other areas involves not only the production of finished products, but also the dissemination of knowledge about the new properties of chemicals, methods for their research, patent protection and further promotion.
Separately, it is worth noting industries that do not produce any consumer goods. Their activity is to provide information in various ways - by shooting films, series, providing medical and educational services, conducting trainings, seminars, as well as industries where products are largely the result of processing information (developing architectural projects, computer programs, creating digital technology etc.).
Effective Management Terms
Management of the information environment is one of the determining activities of the enterprise in unstable conditions of the external economy. It allows you to adhere to an integrating approach to the implementation of modern and effective technologies in the field of marketing, innovative projects, PR-management. Information management involves the presence of a symbiotic relationship between production and implementation aspects. Knowledge management is a constant work on intellectual capital, and over all its varieties and over each form separately. Thanks to him, the necessary combination of personnel and organizational capital is provided in order to improve consumer demand.
Properly selected knowledge management technology will achieve the following results:
- create a well-coordinated technological infrastructure that will make it possible to disseminate the accumulated knowledge and gain the necessary experience;
- to create a culture of transferring knowledge and skills from previous employees within the enterprise and when interacting with partner companies;
- to organize a continuously operating system of training and advanced training of personnel.
Individual competence of staff
For full knowledge management, this element is of particular importance. One of the standard and well-known methods for improving the individual performance of employees is training, seminars, other types of training, as well as staff rotation. The personal competence of employees can be enhanced by introducing various marketing techniques through the active use of knowledge, information from customers, customers, development of local databases and feedback tools.
Some components of individual competence are used to grow organizational capital. This concept means the creation of a few creative teams, the division of personnel into groups, which helps to obtain a more effective application of individual competence by transforming it into collective skills. In the concept of knowledge management, the formation of information technology systems of an enterprise is aimed at strengthening the interaction of various elements of personal competence and giving individual assets an organizational unifying form.
Knowledge Management Features
In general, information management is an expression of a multifaceted form of activity that can be considered both from the point of view of economics and business, information technology and programming, and the humanities (psychology, sociology). In this discipline, the components of personnel management, advertising, the general development of an organization, the introduction of innovative systems, and others are successfully integrated. Knowledge management is the result of the interaction of all of the above industries. The main functions of knowledge management are:
- transformation of information in order to increase the effectiveness of the practical activities of the organization;
- continuous training, the acquisition of experience and skills to implement the key development strategy of the enterprise;
- the formation of a database of consumers and the use of knowledge to attract new customers, which means to improve sales performance;
- development of a stable sales system;
- the use of intellectual capital of the company (human, organizational, consumer);
- increasing returns on any intangible assets, disseminating results to developing projects;
- creating conditions for consolidating existing knowledge and supporting specific innovative projects.
How knowledge is formed
Having decided to implement an information management system at your enterprise, first of all, you need to determine why this is required and what result will help to achieve. You cannot do knowledge management just because competitors do it. The knowledge management system follows from the unified strategic plans and goals of the organization, should be associated with planning in various areas of activity. Information management contributes to the efficient generation and development of original and useful ideas.
In order for the process of using knowledge to bring the expected result, it is necessary to correctly formulate requests. It should be created in such a way that subsequently, if necessary, it could be codified for shipment. Given the structure of the request, you should create a directory for each part of it and determine the purpose of use.
For effective management of the organization’s knowledge, an important role is played by the presence of feedback with the consumer, who must be able to correctly formulate a request and correctly enter information. Software methods must guarantee the provision of quick search, decoding and delivery of information, and, if necessary, protect it and make it confidential.
During the design of computer programs for managing the data transfer process, it is necessary to determine the standard form and provide information on requests. The basis of knowledge management is the principle of ensuring the revision and approval of information and information in such a way that unnecessary or outdated data is promptly removed or updated, becoming relevant and relevant.
Ways to motivate employees
Knowledge of the basics of management plays a decisive role in the processes of creating and distributing information, however, no organization is able to work productively and efficiently without coordinated actions by the administrative link.
At the stage of development and implementation of the information management system, the role of the administrator should be taken over by the team that finances this project and monitors the progress of work. Ideally, you should immediately determine the responsible official - usually this is the person who is engaged in technological and software. For the implementation of the information management system to proceed successfully, you will need:
- formally appoint an administrator;
- give it functional competence in relation to subordinate employees;
- define monitoring rules;
- develop criteria for evaluating effectiveness;
- introduce methods that determine the amount of intellectual capital.
When creating a knowledge management strategy in an organization, it is important to determine how much cultural changes are associated with mechanisms that allow motivating employees to work on the development of an information system and its fruitful use in the future activities of the enterprise.
Knowledge management implies a desire to multiply the available information, striving to achieve a synergistic effect and requiring higher motivation than a cash fee. For effective motivation, various methods of motivation are used that promote self-realization.
Personnel development and career growth is the first motivational tool provided by management for subordinates. Using any method of knowledge management, employees get almost unlimited opportunities for career advancement and gaining valuable experience in a particular area. In this case, the staff can be offered special internal training courses to improve the qualification level and the examination system, including online. It is important to ensure constant access of employees to information and to allocate additional resources so that they have the opportunity to receive education during working hours.
Another element of staff motivation is the guarantee of demand. Since the training process requires costs, employees should be aware that these costs are planned and budgeted for the enterprise, and therefore their application under the given conditions is encouraged, otherwise there will be no one to support the knowledge management system. For using his own knowledge in information management, the employee must be rewarded, his invention - patented or acquired by the company on contractual terms set forth in the labor agreement. Otherwise, the reward loses the motivational component and becomes inappropriate.
An equally strong motivating factor is recognition. Knowledge management functions require employees to express themselves, share their opinions and get acquainted with criticism. Although often people are reluctant to try to give their own knowledge for the benefit of the public, if they do not understand what kind of rewards they can get. In this context, the organization of scientific discussion clubs and the premium encouragement of active participation in them will become an effective tool for the development of knowledge management. Company management should provide support for external publications and official recognition. A useful motivational element is the ability to access the Internet. The introduction of an information management system usually falls within the field of activity of a manager engaged in staff recruitment and training.
Since the educational process requires certain costs and resources, it must be constantly monitored by the administration of the company. Management should be able to assess the effectiveness of the tools used and the benefits obtained from knowledge management, monitor and analyze the activities of workers in this direction.The development, implementation and optimization of an information management system will not immediately bring profit - it will take time. There is no need to give up management management, since the first results will be achieved only after some time.
Nuances of system implementation
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Thus, the main problem in introducing information management is the lack of a specific goal setting and the lack of a reasonable approach to wasting available resources. Opinion polls conducted in the United States at the end of the last century showed that the majority of respondents considered the organization’s culture to be the main obstacle to improving the information management system. Knowledge management as a new round in the activities of companies aimed at the accumulation and effective use of intellectual assets should be the main tool to strengthen their competitiveness and market position.
conclusions
The main strategy of management (control) of knowledge is aimed at creating a new value for the products, people and processes sold through the rational formation and implementation of information in the enterprise development strategy. The paramount task is to get a rational return on the use of expended resources, develop more efficient innovative technologies, improve customer service mechanisms, and reduce losses from inactive intellectual capital.
The conceptual provisions of knowledge management can be applied not only in trading and manufacturing companies, but also in budget-type organizations, non-profit and public associations. In addition, most non-profit companies are directly related to information management. Their activity is based precisely on the creation, regulation, dissemination and processing of flows of various information and data. The knowledge management model at the present stage is also used by authorities.
If we consider the potential rationality of information management from a theoretical point of view, it may seem high. But, despite the effectiveness of this component of the management process, its practical application leads to a number of difficulties. So far, insufficient attention has been devoted to this direction in Russian literature. There is not enough experience in applying the knowledge management system in practice. In government bodies, information management technologies are used more often than in commercial companies, but they do not yet pay enough attention to such an important aspect of development as training the organization’s personnel.