Deck 19: Organizational Culture and Development

Question 1

Given what you have learned about the knowledge creation and transfer process and the steps to create a knowledge management system, how would you contrast these with what is being done at Avici?

Answer 1

Case summary:
AC Co. deals with selling of routers and related services to the customers operating through fibre-optic networks and major sales take place to telecommunication companies. The major unique selling proposition of the company was to provide excellent demonstration to the customers buying company's products because these products are not easy to use and the large number of customers will buy the product if they are properly informed about its usage. With the recruitment of large number of employees, the company has hired three knowledge management experts- Mr. RM, Mr. PP, and Ms. JR to manage the knowledge of employees and harness it at appropriate areas. Mr. SK, then COO of the company tried to test these three employees and asked them to make introduction of all the new hires so that the knowledge that has reached the company could be utilized effectively. He was impressed with the knowledge management team and provided them with additional roles.
Solution:
Knowledge management system stands for the process wherein knowledge is created, shaped, sharpened, used, and managed so that an organization could harness the intelligence and knowledge possess by the employees in an efficient manner. It is a multi-disciplinary approach wherein organization tries to achieve wholesome growth by using employee's knowledge and experiences.
In general knowledge management process carries 8 steps-
• Establishment of knowledge management objectives;
• Preparation for Change;
• Describing high-level progress;
• Prioritization of technology needs;
• Assessment of current state;
• Creating a roadmap for knowledge management;
• Implementation of the plans;
• Evaluating and measuring the achievements.
This typical knowledge management process is not followed at AC Co. and this could be contrasted by stating that the company has hired three knowledge specialists who would be undertaking the task of knowledge management wherein the CEO of the company Mr. SK would be requiring them to know each and every newly hired employee and harness their talents in front of him so that even he gets a better idea about the kind of knowledge the company possess. This is something that is not undertaken in general management of knowledge and concludes the contrast that exists in AC Co. in relation to its knowledge management techniques.

Question 2

Now further contrast from an overall organizational management perspective. How do you think you would react if you were Steve Kaufman to the activities of the three knowledge specialists?

Answer 2

Case summary:
AC Co. deals with selling of routers and related services to the customers operating through fibre-optic networks and major sales take place to telecommunication companies. The major unique selling proposition of the company was to provide excellent demonstration to the customers buying company's products because these products are not easy to use and the large number of customers will buy the product if they are properly informed about its usage. With the recruitment of large number of employees, the company has hired three knowledge management experts- Mr. RM, Mr. PP, and Ms. JR to manage the knowledge of employees and harness it at appropriate areas. Mr. SK, then COO of the company tried to test these three employees and asked them to make introduction of all the new hires so that the knowledge that has reached the company could be utilized effectively. He was impressed with the knowledge management team and provided them with additional roles.
Solution:
The activities that AC Co. undertakes at an organizational level is quite different and unique because in general it is the company's senior managers who take care and manage the knowledge management activities and processes in the company but at AC Co. the three knowledge management specialists had been hired who would be requiring the management of the knowledge of the employees at all levels specifically the newly recruited ones. This shows the contrast in knowledge management process undertaken at AC Co. as compared to general organizational level.
If Mr. Y would had been at the place of Mr. SK, then COO of the company then he would have reacted quite positively towards the activities undertaken by the three knowledge management specialists. This is because the protégé or new hires recruited in the organization beings in new type of skills, experiences, knowledge and abilities. And, if this knowledge could get harnessed and used effectively then this might bring better achievement of organization objectives and this is the reason why Mr. Y will have positive response towards the three specialists.

Question 3

Did you find Avici on the Web? If so, how is its performance today?

Answer 3

NO ANSWER