Exam 3: Nov. 26

E-mail your exam file as a word doc file by Dec. 3rd, 5 pm to the following e-mail:

jihwenjang@gmail.com

Topics:

Neural networking applications

• Definition
• Applications
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Comparison with expert systems

The new age of innovation chapters 1-6

• How is KM relevant to the innovative strategy of N=1 and R=G?
• Leadership provides vision and strategy. Implementation comes from commitment and hard works of  the grassroot.
• The only way the N=1 value can be consistently and efficiently delivered is through well-designed and well-executed business processes. To be effecteive, high power knowledge must be embedded throughout the major business processes.
  • Definitions of business process
  • Operational, managerial, and strategic business processes
  • Examples of business processes in information systems

Presentation Schedule (The New Age of Innovation):

Team 1: Jake, Saleh, Sedrix, Garrett Rabenold, Tyler (Ch 1 on November 3rd and Ch 4 on November 12th)

Team 2: Mark Hamlett, Eric Sissom, and Bruce Beckley (Ch 3 on November 10 and Ch 6 on November 19th)

Team 3: Jessica, Chris, Mark Thomas, and Andrew (Ch 2 on November 5th and Ch 5 on November 17th)

Exam 2: Oct 29 

Topics to be covered:

1. The Nucor Steel article: knowledge creation and acquisition, knowledge sharing, role of information technology, social ecology
2. Expert system - definition, system structure, applications, advantages, and limitations
3. Characteristics of Web 2.0: The Web as a platform, User participation, Harnessing collective intelligence, New software life cycle, rich user experience (Network effects from user contributions are the key to market dominance in the Web 2.0 era.)
4. "Connected consumers are collectively shaping your brand"
5. Naked Conversation: Chapters 1 - 8; Blogs for large companies, blogs for small companies, Blogs for marketing (conversational marketing), Blogs for advertising (word of mouth on steroids), Blogs for knowledge management

Oct. 6

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the unique characteristics of Nucor Steel as contrasted with Hallmark Cards and Partners Healthcare?
2. Briefly describe how Nucor Steel increase and maintain its knowledge repository.
3. Briefly desribe how Nucor Steel encourages its employee to share their knowledge and experience.
4. Briefly describe how information technology plays a vital role in identifying best practices.
5. Briefly outline how Microsoft uses blogs to transform its image.
6. Visit Technorati's website technorati.com and briefly describe how this website tracks bloggin topics, links, and trends.
7. Discuss, from the product/service provider's point of view, how blogs are different from TV and direct mail campaign in reaching customers.

Announcement (Sept. 17)

Exam 1 is on Sept. 22.

Materials covered:

1. Knowledge economy (wikipedia)

2. Knowledge and competence as strategic assets (handout)

3. Collaborative advantage (handout)

4. Just--in-time delivery of knowledge (handout)

5. Hallmark cards (handout)

6. BP Amoco (handout)

7. Customer-driven innovation

Topics Covered in Classes:

Aug. 27

1. Knowledge economy (KE) (http://wikipedia.org)

2. Knowledge management (KM): (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management)

3. Blogs project description (five entries per week before end of October on knowledge management, learning, innovation, and/or personal interest) (ex.: http://kmspring07.blogspot.com/)

Discussion questions:

1. Definitions of knowledge economy - Examples? an interdisciplinary field, involving economists, sociologists, computer scientists, business managers and researchers

2. Driving forces of knowledge economy:

• globalization -> opportunities and competition 
• information/knowledge intensity -> Information and knowledge are major sources of value and drive every aspect of product/service life cycles.
• computer networking and connectivity -> The flow of information and knowledge is greatly facilitated by the communication and collaboration technologies.

3. Characteristics of knowledge economy:

• Economics of abundance, not of scarcity
• Effect of geographical location: diminshed or reinforced? depends
• Laws, barriers and taxes issues:
• Smart or knowledge-intensive products or services can command price premiums over comparable products with low embedded knowledge or knowledge intensity
•  

4. How did knowledge management become an important issue in organizations?

• Knowledge must be managed.
• Knowledge can be managed, to a certain degree at least.

5. Blogs assignments:

• about yourself or your interest (dream)
• about any aspects of knowledge economy

Blogs:

September 3, 8, and 10:

Collaborative Advantage:

1. Value

2. Barriers

3. Management levers

4. Potential downside

Just-in-time delivery comes to KM:

1. The problems and the need

2. The approach "Baking" knowledge into work practice and business process

3. The systems

4. Results

5. Critical success factors and lessons learned

Discussion

Collaborative advantage

1.  How can collaboration affect your learning approach? Do you have any specific examples?

2.  How might collaboration affect your work practice? Do you have any specific examples?

3.  How can one really benefit from collaborating?

JIT delivery comes to knowledge management

1. Is “baking knowledge in the work process” important in getting doctors to obtain knowledge-based support? Why?

2. How do knowledge creation, knowledge organization, knowledge validation, knowledge sharing, and knowledge application take place in Partners Healthcare?