Mapping : a visual business strategy

Date
2004-03
Authors
Wolfaardt, Susan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Key factors that drive the global information society include knowledge, networking, the Internet and virtualisation. Therefore it is important that the knowledge and information situated within a business or company must be effectively managed to gain a competitive edge. Knowledge and information mapping is a visual management tool that can assist companies and organisations in this quest. The primary objective of this study was to explore mapping as a visualisation tool that enables an organisation to manage and benefit from information and to visualise explicit knowledge that exists within the organisation. An additional objective was to study mapping as part of a visual business strategy. The first part of the study consisted of a literature review that focused on the many facets and interpretations of mapping. Related concepts were identified and defined. In order to understand the characteristics of mapping better, an analysis of the concepts information and knowledge mapping was done. Emphasis was placed on various techniques and their applications, as well as an interpretation of the relationship between the different concepts. To reveal these relationships, the applications of different mapping methods and the associations between them were evaluated. The study also focused on the use of information and knowledge mapping as part of a business strategy in organisations. To demonstrate the value of mapping as a business strategy, it was emphasized that mapping is truly a business opportunity enabler that can be used e.g. for concept mapping of business processes, core competencies, as an aid for gap analysis along with timelines, and as a tool for competitiveness. Finally, recommendations based on the results of the study are proposed in order to enhance the understanding of mapping as a concept, as well as the use thereof in the business environment.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kernaspekte soos kennis, netwerke, die Internet en virtualisering beïnvloed die globale inligtingsgemeenskap. Om kompeterend te kan wees, moet bestuur plaasvind van die kennis en inligting wat in die organisasie of besigheid geleë is. Kennis- en inligtingskartering is 'n visuele bestuursmeganisme wat organisasies en besighede ondersteun met die bestuur van hierdie bronne. Die hoofdoel van die studie was om kartering as a visuele metode te evalueer wat organisasies in staat kan stel om inligting tot hulle voordeel te bestuur. Kartering kan benut word om spesifieke kennis wat binne die oganisasie bestaan, te visualiseer. 'n Bykomende doel was om kartering as deel van 'n visuele besigheidstrategie te bestudeer. Die eerste gedeelte van die studie bestaan uit 'n literatuuroorsig wat gefokus is op die verskeie fasette en interpretasies van kartering. Verwante konsepte is geïdentifiseer en gedefinieer. Om die eienskappe van kartering beter te begryp, is 'n analise van die begrippe inligting- en kenniskartering gedoen. Klem is geplaas op die verskeie tegnieke en hulle toepassings, sowel as op die interpretasie van die verwantskap tusen die verskillende konsepte. Om die verwantskappe tussen die konsepte beter te begryp, is die toepassings van die verskillende karteringsmetodes sowel as die verwantskappe tussen die metodes geëvalueer. Vervolgens is die gebruik van kartering as 'n besigheidstrategie in organisasies ondersoek. Deur klem te plaas op kartering, word die strategie qeïllusteer dat kartering as 'n besigheidsgeleentheidskepper gebruik kan word om bv. besigheidsprosesse en kernbevoegdhede te visualiseer, om tesame met die visualisering van effektiewe tydlyne as 'n hulpmiddel te dien om gapings te analiseer, en om bystand te verleen om kompeterend te kan wees. Ten laaste is aanbevelings en voorstelle wat gebaseer is op die studie gemaak, nie net om die begrip van die konsep kartering uit te lig nie, maar ook om die gebruik daarvan in die besigheidsomgewing te beklemtoon.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
Keywords
Knowledge management, Strategic planning, Organizational effectiveness, Knowledge and information mapping, Dissertations -- Information science, Theses -- Information science
Citation