Module 1 – Case
DATA, INFORMATION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Assignment Overview
Every company has, to a greater or lesser extent, an
information subsystem — that is, a means by which it gathers data, interprets
it, and makes it available to employees through a distribution system. Whether
we are talking about marketing information, cost projections, accounting
results, or internal quality reports, every company depends on knowledge to
support its planning, decision-making, and control.
So how does knowledge fit into the picture? The emergence of
the field called knowledge management has highlighted some key propositions in
the last 10 years or so.
All organizations are storehouses of knowledge that operate
in information-rich environments made up of people and things both inside and
outside the organization itself
Organizations organize, interpret, and evaluate this
information to solve organizational problems
Knowledge is the primary mechanism for processing and
utilizing information
People’s brains are the key knowledge resource of any
organization
Codified knowledge stored in books, audio, videotapes, and
computer systems can be an important knowledge resource as well
There are organizational processes and strategies for IT
management and management in general. Therefore, processes and strategies in
particular can significantly enhance the ability of organizations to use their
knowledge resources for problem solving
Several of these themes will come up again in later modules
in this course. But by way of introduction to the subject, let’s take a look at
some views of how knowledge works. Read and review each of the lectures in
Frost’s Knowledge Management site to gain a good understanding of KM and its
relation to data, information, and knowledge.
Frost, A. (2015). Knowledge Management. KMT An Educational
KM Site. Retrieved from http://www.knowledge-management-tools.net/
Leonard, D., & Swap, W. (2005). The Knowledge Coach. HBS
Working Knowledge. Retrieved from: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/4562.html
Case Assignment
The Case assignment for Module 1 consists of two parts. Part
I introduces the notion of computer basics. Part II analyzes the Kobuku Food
Company which provides an opportunity to appreciate how companies use and
differentiate among data, information, and knowledge.
Part 1:
Please review the following tutorials on computer basics and
answer the questions below. The tutorials are located
athttp://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics
What are computers?
Understanding Operating Systems
Understanding Applications
Understanding the Cloud
After watching the videos, please answer the following
questions in 2-3 pages.
What operating system does your computer use?
What are some examples of applications residing in your
personal computer?
Do you use any apps or websites now that you think are
cloud-based?
How is a web app different from a desktop application?
Part 2:
For part II of the assignment, read the required articles
and then write a 3-5 page paper answering the Kokubu case study questions. Be
sure your discussion demonstrates that you understand the meanings and
differences between data, information, and knowledge. In your discussion, give
a real-world example of data, knowledge, and information in the context of the
Kokubu Food Company.
Kokubu management has asked you to be the company consultant
and prepare a management analysis of the business to help assess the firm’s
current situation and future plans. To familiarize yourself with Kokubu’s
background, you should review the corporate information, functions and
business, and social and environmental conservation activities in the website.
Particular attention must be given to the functions and business link to
appreciate how IT supports Kokubu operations and knowledge management activities
within the company.
Review the Kokubu website at
http://www.kokubu.co.jp/english/business/ and after finding the answers to the
Case questions, prepare a summary in 3-5 pages analyzing the following
questions.
What kind of organizational trends are evident in the Kokubu
case when we consider the business environment, management, and technology?
Discuss the IT applications to the company operations as
discussed in the website.
Why is the company considered to be customer focused?
The CEO said his company “created a culture where people are
addicted to data, information, and knowledge.” What does he mean by that, and
what are the benefits and drawbacks of such a culture?
As a reminder, you must have at least two outside scholarly
references when you write cases.
Assignment Expectations
Include Part I and Part II of the Case in one document,
properly labeling each section.
The Case assignment should be 5-8 pages in total excluding
cover page and reference list.
Your assignments will be graded following these
expectations:
Precision: the questions asked are answered.
Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good
understanding of the topic.
Breadth and depth: The scope covered in your paper is
directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives
of the module.
Critical Thinking: It is important to read the “required
readings” posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your
paper should include important concepts from these readings and incorporate
your reactions and examples that illustrate your reflective judgment and good
understanding of the concepts.
Your paper meets the page requirements, excluding the cover
page or the references pages.
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