Knowledge audit methodologies : the importance of knowledge management infrastructure

Date
2020-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : The thesis considers various knowledge audit methodologies in terms of knowledge management infrastructure factors. The mainstream knowledge audit methodologies all seek to determine what knowledge exists in the organisation to determine the gap between the knowledge required by the organisation to meet its goals and knowledge already available and accumulated in the organisation. Current methodologies and methods for knowledge audits are analysed in terms of a particular framework for knowledge management that includes infrastructure as underlying and supporting various knowledge management systems. These infrastructure elements comprise of organisational culture, organisational structure, information technology infrastructure, common knowledge, and the physical environment. The analysis shows that knowledge audits fit in the broader knowledge management framework primarily as part of knowledge discovery systems. However, it is argued that knowledge discovery systems also contain knowledge management infrastructure elements that are not necessarily considered by mainstream knowledge audit methodologies, because the focus is primarily on capturing knowledge content rather than considering the conduits of that content. It is concluded that knowledge audit methodologies focused primarily on the capturing of tacit knowledge content do not appreciate the extent to which that knowledge content is embedded in and mediated by the underlying infrastructure that is normally not considered as part of such knowledge audits. Finally, the thesis proposes ways in which knowledge audits could also consider the wider knowledge management infrastructure elements.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Die tesis oorweeg verskeie kennis-opname metodologieë in terme van kennisbestuursinfrastruktuur faktore. Die hoofstroom kennis-opname metodologieë poog om vas te stel watter kennis reeds in die organisasie bestaan om die gaping te bepaal tussen die kennis wat deur die organisasie benodig word om sy doelwitte te bereik en die kennis wat reeds beskikbaar in die organisasie geakkumuleer is. Huidige modelle en metodes vir kennis-opnames word geanaliseer in terme van 'n spesifieke raamwerk vir kennisbestuur wat infrastruktuur insluit as onderliggend aan en ondersteunend vir verskeie kennisbestuurstelsels. Hierdie infrastruktuur elemente bestaan uit organisasiekultuur, organisasie-struktuur, inligtingstegnologie-infrastruktuur, algemene gedeelde kennis en die fisiese omgewing. Die analise toon dat kennis-opnames hoofsaaklik in die breër kennisbestuursraamwerk pas as deel van kennis-ontdekkingstelsels. Daar word egter aangevoer dat kennisontdekkingstelsels ook kennisbestuursinfrastruktuur-elemente bevat wat nie noodwendig oorweeg word deur die hoofstroom kennis-opname metodologieë nie, aangesien die klem hoofsaaklik op die vaslegging (eerder as die ondersteuning) van kennisinhoud lê. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat kennis-opname metodologieë wat hoofsaaklik fokus op die vaslegging van versweë kennisinhoud nie die mate waartoe daardie kennisinhoud in die onderliggende infrastruktuur ingebed is en die manier waarop dit deur daardie infrastruktuur gemedieer word waardeer nie. Ten slotte stel die tesis maniere waarmee kennis-opnames ook die breër elemente van kennisbestuursinfrastruktuur in ag kan neem voor.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Knowledge audit -- Methodology, Knowledge management -- Auditing -- Methodology, Organizational learning, Knowledge management infrastructure, UCTD
Citation