Module BUSS3031: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (BUSINESS) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS3031: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To analyse the fundamental role of the management of knowledge in strategy, innovation and new product development, information systems, management of technology, management of human resources and creativity.
• As knowledge is the crucial asset of any organisation and links the internal and external organisational environment, the module builds on the students' knowledge of fundamentals of business, gained during their studies at previous levels.

Content

• How may different types of knowledge do exist? Fundamental taxonomies of knowledge: data, information and knowledge, tacit and explicit knowledge, individual skills and organisational routines.
• How do we create and transform knowledge? Knowledge management conversation processes: externalisation, diffusion, internalisation and socialisation.
• Application and use in concrete situations of the processes of knowledge conversion and creation.
• Why does communication process depend on the type of knowledge? Learning and knowledge, a critical look at the virtual organisation.
• Why are information strategy and knowledge strategy different? How managing storage, retrieval and diffusion of information differs from managing creativity, innovation and change.
• Technologies for knowledge management.
• The knowledge economy.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students are expected to: understand the various taxonomies of knowledge.
• understand and use the process of knowledge conversion.
• devise knowledge based strategies for knowledge creation, diffusion, storage and retrieval.
• understand the relationship between competitive advantage, innovation and knowledge based strategies.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The lectures aim to provide the students with a sound theoretical and empirical basis for their studies of knowledge management.
• The seminars provide the possibility to discuss and apply, using case studies and examples, the concepts introduced in the lectures.
• In preparation for the seminars, especially for the group presentations, the students are asked to use both library and internet sources in order to facilitate their understanding of the topics discussed.
• The summative assignment is aimed to test the students' ability to research a given topic independently and to put together a stringent and cohesive argument.
• The examination serves to evaluate the students' understanding of the broad spectrum of topics covered in the lectures and seminars.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Contribution to a project-based group presentation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University