Topic 1: Definitions, Importance, and Principle
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Definitions of knowledge management
Management refers to the processes to access and transfer knowledge that require collaboration with those relevant. Normally, it begins with identifying the desired knowledge, knowledge formation and development, scrutinizing knowledge, managing knowledge systematically, developing communication channels to the relevant stakeholders, exchanging knowledge, updating management process by applying the cognitive process as the main factors for decision-making, that result in actions. Thus, knowledge management focuses on the real practice.
Knowledge refers to the explicit knowledge alongside the practice in various fields to be integrated and used for thinking, decision-making, and practice. Actually, knowledge originates from human brain that has been accumulated for times. It is very difficult to describe or write in texts or words. Conclusively, the more knowledge we spend, the more knowledge development we gain.
In the initial age of human, we have heard that knowledge or wisdom capital has been taken from organizing and interpreting the information, which derives from the data processing according to the learning hierarchy as shown in “Learning Pyramid” below;
Knowledge can be categorized into two groups as follow;
1. Explicit knowledge is the knowledge in the forms of documents, textbooks, work manual, various media, rules & regulations, work schedule, records of the work. So, another word used for calling the explicit knowledge is the "Published Knowledge".
2. Tacit Knowledge is the deeply-embedded knowledge of human. It can be developed into be the wisdom. This knowledge is embedded in the human’s belief, attitude, and values, deriving from the long-life experiences which are a unique talent since the birth or also known as "Knowledge of the individuality". This group of knowledge cannot be practically transferred to others. So, it requires collaborative learning through the way of livings in the community, such as the observation and knowledge sharing during the work If we compare these two roups of knowledge with the iceberg and its characteristics are shown in the picture below:
The part of iceberg floating over the water is considered likely the explicit knowledge, which is the knowledge written in the papers- textbooks or recorded in other tangible media - CDs, a n d VDOs, representing only 20%.
While the part of iceberg underneath the water is considered likely the tacit knowledge which has been accumulated so long and deeply embedded in human brain. It arises from practicing on a continued basis and cannot be transferred to others, representing as highly as 80%.
Models and Processes of Knowledge Management
1.Knowledge Management Model
Knowledge management can be conducted by various models. Its key factor is to manage self-knowledge and practice of the person, so as to develop potential of other people with the respect for human dignity of others as well. Apart from conducting self-knowledge management to achieve the goals of the work process improvement, it also includes knowledge management in the groups of people or the organizations. So, knowledge management models are based on the belief that everyone has his own knowledge and practice in different levels, which require the respect for one’s knowledge.
Dr. Praphon Phasukyued has initiated two models of knowledge management, namely 1) Tuna Model, and 2) Carp Model, covering both the explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge. Details are described below;
Tuna Model
This knowledge management (KM) model is easy to understand. It compares KM with the whole body of a tuna. If looking at the tuna picture, the tuna has been separated into three parts; head represents the knowledge vision (KV) and explicit knowledge, followed by the body which represents knowledge sharing (KS) to each other, and the final part, a tail which represents knowledge assets (KA) that derive from the previous process.
The first part, "fish head" refers to "Knowledge Vision (KV)", which is the core goal of knowledge management. The project implementor is required to deeply understand the project’s objectives, including the alignments with vision, mission, and strategy of the organization, such as implementations of the project to enhance work efficiency, the project to uplift the quality of life on prevention of drugs, the project to uplift the quality of life on environmental conservation, the project to uplift the quality of life on personal living and assets, and the project to restore traditional customs for the locals in the community, etc.
The second part, the "fish body" refers to "Knowledge Sharing (KS)". It is a process of sharing knowledge and experience that have been deeply embedded in the sharer for long time. It requires focusing on sharing the successful stories of the sharer, which does not emphasize the problematic issues. The sharing tools applicable to this action, are such as a storytelling. in-depth discussion, complements or positive conversation, peer-to-peer discussion, a review of the performance, and lesson learned, etc.
The third part, the "fish tail" refers to the "Knowledge Assets (KA)" It can be compared with the knowledge tank which has accumulated the shared knowledge from the previous process. In this part, we normally adopt technology to conveniently collect and store those shared knowledge. The purpose is mainly to create flexibility when requiring to retrieve or update such data, to use them for further improvement of the work process or others beneficial to community or the organization.
Example: Knowledge Management Tuna Model for
"The development of community enterprise"
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Carp Model
"Carp Model", a group of fish with different sizes. The "big fish" represents the corporate vision and missions. While many small fish represent the goals of KM projects that are in line with the goals of the organization. When looking at the picture above, many of you are familiar with this thing. In ancient time, the parents always hang the set of mobile carps over the crib to look after their baby. All fish are always heading in the same direction and trying to swim in a river-flow that is constantly changing.
A big fish can be compared with a career development in accordance with the philosophy of sufficiency economy. To implement this project, it requires collaboration on solving the existing problems and conducting the community development program together. To achieve the common goals and missions, it leads the locals in such community to gather in many small groups depending on the individual potential and each group’s duties. It includes the household accounting, organic farming, organic composting, fish farming, frog farming, etc. If the implemented projects can successfully solve the issues, it will result in the corporate goals to achieve as well, as if they are walking ahead together in the same direction, as mentioned in the story of a group of carps.
Importantly, each fish differs in shapes and sizes. So, it means that the implementation of each KM project is different as well depending on the difficulty in resolving different issues and its individual creativity. Moreover, it also includes the adaptations to the changing situations at all times. Some locals may collect a lot of shared knowledge but the community’s leader maybe outstanding in managing the knowledge tank to effectively use such knowledge for implementing the project. Finally, we believe that everyone in the community clearly understands the common goals of the project and is ready to cross over all obstacles for the success together.
Actually, knowledge management focuses on learning from actual practices of the entire work process. For example, it requires all stakeholders relevant to the project to understand its objectives, action plan, strategies, and expectations, before implementing it. Moreover, it also requires a review of the work performance in order to monitor the project to be in the same direction, aiming to achieve the goals as set. After completing the project, it also requires everyone to review the project performance once again, to conduct Gap Analysis, so as to identify the success and prepare further improvement. So, Tuna Model is considered a key success for knowledge management process
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