Knowledge Management and information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Knowledge Management and information - Essay Example In fact, as a medium sized organization currently employing 100 individuals, it is even more important that our company manage this knowledge exactly because we lack the market share and resources that large corporations have at their disposal. Therefore, at BioPack we need to be more responsive, more flexible, and make better decisions in order to sustain and grow in our industry. Managing knowledge will be primary in our quest to achieve these goals. So, we need to ask ourselves what exactly constitutes knowledge. We must define this concept before we can start managing this information. According to Neil Fleming in his paper Coping with a Revolution: First, data is meaningless by itself, meaningless without some context that references it within space and time. The pieces of data may indeed represent information, yet we need to understand this data for it to be deemed informative. Moreover, the extent of understanding is based on the amount of associations discernable within the data collected. Thus, information is simply an understanding of the relationships between any collected set of data. And while this information provides us with a basic understanding of relationships between data sets, it fails to provide us with either future predictions or an understanding of why the data appears the way it does. So, this data collection we now deem information fails to provide knowledge. However, when a pattern emerges within this information, knowledge is possible. Patterns, unlike collected data or information, are seldom static but rather self-contextualizing. And when patterns are properly understood, we can predict with reliabili ty how that pattern will change over a period of time. This is the embryonic stage of changing our information into a form of knowledge. When one attains a clear understanding of the underlying principles that make up these patterns that are the basis for knowledge, wisdom, or wise decisions within the workplace become possible. It is important to note that the sequence just mentioned-data-information-knowledge-wisdom does not occur in discrete stages of development. It does not take place locked up in one of our laboratories. It is ongoing, and at any given time we might be better or somewhat worse in our understanding of that data. The quality of our understanding will be key in accomplishing our goal or mission statement: To create a workplace environment that encourages new ideas and new ways of solving problems in order to stimulate innovation and synergism in the creation of new products. To continually delight the customer with our quality, and to be a leader in biotechnology research. Still, all knowledge is not created equal. According to Michael Polanyi, one type of knowledge may be classified as explicit or formal knowledge, or that which can be articulated through language among individuals. The other type is deemed tacit or informal knowledge, and is rooted in individual experience, personal belief, and individual values (The Tacit Dimension 10). As

The Recipe Book as a Tradition in the Family Essay

The Recipe Book as a Tradition in the Family - Essay Example Different families have different items among their possessions that they hold most dear. These items usually have some special meaning to the members of the family and they seldom give out these items outside the family. Among the many possessions in my family, there is one that has incomparable value. It reminds everyone of our past and is the basis of some of our traditions in the family. This special item is a recipe book that my grandmother wrote. The recipe book contains several recipes that my grandmother developed. These recipes have been in use in my family for such a long time that some of the meals have become our identity among friends and relatives. It is a tradition in the family to cook a meal from the recipe book at least once a week. We always look forward to meals prepared from the recipe book, as they are usually special. Our family also uses the book when we have guests and during special events and occasions. Owing to this tradition, the recipe book has become so special in our family. My family intends to keep the recipe book for generations to come. That is to keep the recipes a family secret down the years and ensure we maintain our uniqueness when it comes to preparing special meals. Only select members of the family will inherit it down the generations to keep the traditions going. Currently, the book is under the custody of my mother who, when the time comes, will decide whom to give it. Everyone in the family hopes to inherit it and be the master of those rich meals in their own family.