For some years now, a relatively new topic has been discussed, this is knowledge management, and it is described as a future trend to face the challenges that exist in the information society.
Knowledge management can be conceived as a set of activities that are carried out in order to use, share and develop the knowledge of a certain organization and the people who work in it, directing them to achieve their objectives.
Knowledge management is more than anything a management philosophy, which uses specific techniques or means that can be applied in any environment
There are different processes of knowledge management, however, there are two fundamental processes that are subdivided into others.
- The creation of knowledge The transmission of knowledge
Transmission can take place from different points of view and in many ways through space and time, while the use of knowledge is seen as an end in itself.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
I ntroduction
For some years now, a relatively new topic has been discussed, this is knowledge management, and it is described as a future trend to face the challenges that exist in the information society.
There are those who assure that this form of management is only a fad, but that it has not contributed anything that is really important, however the commercial strategies of software vendors and consultants of different types have changed significantly and almost mostly sell the knowledge management, at the same time companies have implemented different knowledge management programs with favorable results.
Knowledge
Knowledge within a company refers to the process that occurs in it when a certain individual makes use of what they know and the information they have for solving a problem or developing a certain project.
Explicit knowledge
It refers to the type of knowledge that within an organization establishes the formulas by which it can be transmitted to other people.
Tacit knowledge
It is the type of knowledge that every organization has but that is not registered in a certain place and therefore is linked to the group of people that make up the organization at all times.
Knowledge management
Knowledge management can be conceived as a set of activities that are carried out in order to use, share and develop the knowledge of a certain organization and the people who work in it, directing them to achieve their objectives.
Knowledge is an important resource for organizations and this would enter into the intangible assets that many studies have tried to quantify in order to measure the so-called intellectual capital.
"The best way to understand the role of intellectual capital is to compare it as a living organism, for example a tree. What is described in the organization charts, the reports, is the trunk, branches and leaves. But, although this is the part of the tree visible, it is not everything.
At least half is underground, it is the roots. These, in our metaphor, will constitute the intellectual capital of the organization:
The study of the value roots of the company. Thus, the types of value to take into account when measuring them, could be divided into three classes:
Human capital: it consists of the knowledge, skills, experiences of the organization's individual employees.
Structural capital: are the teams, programs, databases, organizational structure,… and everything that is part of the organizational capacity of a company.
Client capital: it is the fruit of developing relationships with the key clients of an organization. " (L. Edvinsson & Malone, 1999)
Knowledge management applications
Knowledge management is more than anything a management philosophy, which uses specific techniques or means that can be applied in any environment.
Knowledge management cannot be implemented in a short period of time and therefore there are not many reliable practical evidences, which until now various authors have shown are
small changes that have been aimed at facilitating knowledge management within an organization such as:
- Implementation of software tools Establishment of discussion systems Reward system for contribution of ideas.
And actions have also been implemented to increase the competence of workers such as:
- Home computer acquisition programs Training programs
There are 3 fronts on which practical initiatives are developed
Information management: the trend is to implement systems that allow the information that the organization and the individuals that compose it can be shared with others.
For this, today we are working on the creation of documentary and knowledge maps in which the type of document generated in an organization is represented and given graphical access so that everyone has knowledge of what it is that They carry out the other departments of a company.
Human resources management: in order for ideas to exist within a company and for people to feel in optimal conditions to carry out their work and contribute knowledge to the organization, human resources development policies must be established to make this possible.
This can only be achieved through the continuous training of staff or the holding of meetings or communities where different knowledge is shared.
Measurement of intangible assets: different organizations try to measure them in order to demonstrate their potential and ability to face the future successfully and demonstrate growth over time. (C. Bustelo & Amarilla, 2001).
Knowledge management process
There are different processes of knowledge management, however, there are two fundamental processes that are subdivided into others.
- Knowledge creation.
- The transmission of knowledge
Transmission can take place from different points of view and in many ways through space and time, while the use of knowledge is seen as an end in itself. (Canals, 2003)
7 processes in knowledge management in organizations
- Identification: it is the set of techniques and tools that make it easier for organizations to know what knowledge is within the organization, where it is registered and who carries it within or outside it. Acquisition: once the knowledge has been identified With which it is counted and its main gaps, the organization must implement a series of strategies to acquire the knowledge that it does not possess and that is in sources external to the organization, whether it is experts or another organization, etc. Development: When knowledge is not within the organization but not outside, it is necessary for the company to develop or create it, through this process the organization must provide spaces for individuals to innovate. Sharing and distribution:It refers to the distribution of knowledge with the right people or making it available in the place where it is needed, for this the company must enable interaction spaces between people so that it allows them to exchange different experiences and ideas. Use: It is of utmost importance that the knowledge be used to ensure an adequate response from the organization to the internal and external situations to be faced. The use of knowledge in the different stages of problems becomes vital for the organization to respond appropriately to continuous changes in the environment. Retention: it consists of preserving the knowledge so that it can be reused whenever it is required by the organization and avoid more or double work.
- Measurement: it is necessary to evaluate the changes that have occurred in the organizational knowledge base and whether the different knowledge objectives of the organization have been met.
Knowledge management objectives
There are several theories that deal with knowledge management, in these there may be differences, however there are four objectives that relate them.
- Exploit existing knowledge in the best possible way: make the knowledge that already exists in the company be as productive as possible and this is achieved through processes of socialization, combination, externalization and internalization. Renew knowledge of people and the organization Through learning processes, this objective is closely related to the continuous learning approach. Transforming people's knowledge into the structural capital of the organization: this in order for organizations to provide an efficient service to customers, is It is vital that individual knowledge becomes general. Align the entity's strategy with capabilities: these may be the existing ones or they may arise, to take advantage of new opportunities,Organizations must know their current competencies. (Lozano, et al, 2000)
Knowledge management techniques and tools
Some of the techniques that can be used to support knowledge management are:
- Push technologies Knowledge maps Work manuals Brainstorm Communities of practice Web technologies Corporate virtual libraries Artificial intelligence applications such as expert systems, neural networks, genetic algorithms, etc. Teamwork (EcuRed, 2016)
C onclusion
The changes so rapid that have originated from technological innovation, companies need to know how to take advantage of the resources they have in order to be more competitive and provide better customer service, this can only be achieved if companies carry out a Correct knowledge management and empower what they know and diversify it to be even better, technologies provide endless benefits if used intelligently to achieve organizational objectives.
Bibliographic references
C. Bustelo, & Amarilla, R. (2001). Knowledge management and information management. Bulletin of the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage, 226-230.
Canals, A. (2003). Knowledge management. Barcelona. EcuRed. (April 12, 2016). EcuRed. Obtained from EcuRed:
www.ecured.cu/Gesti%C3%B3n_del_conocimiento
L. Edvinsson, & Malone, M. (1999). Intellectual capital. Barcelona: 2000 Management.
Lozano, Sevilla, & Valtueña. (2000). Approach to Knowledge Management, a practical vision.
Thesis proposal: knowledge management as a factor in the success of multinational companies.
Objective: to analyze how knowledge management has led to the success of multinational companies.
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