What are the five major types of organizational cultures? Critically evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. How would you analyze or identify these organizational profiles? Where does your organization lie?
If I were the head of my own organization, I would choose the federal model as obviously the most objective and the one that encourages knowledge sharing to the greatest extent. While the rest of the models also have their advantages, they clearly lack the balance between flexibility and a tight grip on the information. In contrast to these models, the federalism model seems to have it all to help create a perfectly functioning knowledge sharing system.
The “paradox of value” is one of the greatest challenges facing KM today. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Provide illustrative examples to support your arguments.
The paradox of value is rather arguable. It can be suggested that not the availability, but rather the novelty and the applicability of the information is appreciated the highest. For example, such data as the stages of production of a specific device that a company might require for improving its own process of production is rather hard to obtain. However, the given data is also of little use to the company since the latter should be more interested in the technical characteristics of the device. On the contrary, such information as the current Dow Jones index, which is very easy to learn (e.g., one can address the corresponding site or watch the news), is crucial for planning further financial operations for a stockbroker or any other person engaged in the issues concerning stocks and shares. Hence, it can be concluded that the paradox of value does not always work. Still, it is necessary to admit that, in most cases, the paradox of information value proves correct. For instance, such information as the data on the incomes and losses of the rival companies could be very useful, yet in most cases, it cannot be legally obtained by a third party.
Describe some research themes in the field of KM. What do you see as the Next Big Thing in KM? What breakthroughs would be needed before KM could make a quantum leap in its evolution?
Since the current management theories enhance the relationships between different cultures, it can be supposed that KM is going to develop in the given direction as well. In light of the above-mentioned, it can be supposed that the future concern of the KM sphere will be shifting from enterprise-wide to worldwide knowledge culture. As a result, global concerns are going to become the focus of the KM. In addition to the analysis of the KM within a specific organization, the KM model used to share information among different states is also going to be established. Though the given idea demands better coordination between companies’ affiliates and certain diplomatic efforts, it can be considered that the given concept is going to become a part of real soon.
Reference List
Dalkir, K. (2005). Knowledge management in theory and practice. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth–Heinemann.