Knowledge Management (MGMT730)

Assignment No. 1

Marks: 25
Due Date: 10-12-2016

Knowledge Management (KM) is a field which has the capacity to contribute in many academic
areas and every organization can equally benefited from KM practices. Although scholars have
written on this field from many years but we are uncertain about the application of this knowledge
in the practical environment (business organizations). Especially in our part of the world
(developing countries), managers are less aware of latest management knowledge and hence still
applying the older versions.
This is a practical assignment which requires everyone to choose one organization (Pakistani or
Foreign) of their choice and conduct an interview with one or two senior managers in order to get
an understanding about the know-how of top level management on the topic of Knowledge
Management. How they are managing peoples knowledge and what is its importance? Finally,
you will report their understanding and compare with the academic literate given to you.
Tasks:
1. Read the articles of Module 1 & 2 carefully.
2. Choose an organization of your choice (Preferably manufacturing organization having atleast 100 employees) and conduct interviews (questions are given below) of one or two top
level managers. Its better to record the interview with interviewee permission.
3. Provide a summary of each answer separately. Email the recorded interview.
4. Compare the practitioners perspective with the academic knowledge.
Interview Questions:
1. Rank following management issues (Mention & rank any missing issue) from 1 10:
Employee Turnover.
Ethical issues of employees.
Unskilled workforce.
Organizational Politics.
Lack of job satisfaction.
Diversity management.
Lack of knowledge management system.
Lack of innovation.
Leadership issues.
Lack of autonomy.
2. Do your organization really take knowledge management seriously? Why/Why not.
3. Why/why not knowledge management is considered as strategic source for your
organization? Explain.

4. What steps your organization has taken to formally or informally implement knowledge
management practices (Knowledge acquisition, Knowledge creation, storing, sharing and
implementation)? Discuss only those practices for which steps are taken within the
organization.
5. Do your organization worked on sharing & capitalizing the tacit knowledge of employees?
How (Formally/Informally)? Why not (where org. havent worked towards tacit
knowledge).
6. What is the process (formal/informal) of innovative product/process development/idea
generation within your organization?
7. What platforms (formal/informal) are available in your organization for knowledge
sharing?
8. Why people are reluctant to share knowledge in your organization?
Requirements:
1. Mention respondent Name (optional), Email address (Must provide email of
interviewee. Teacher can confirm if required), Organization, Designation, Age,
Gender, and Experience. 3 Marks
2. Write summary of each answer separately (if there is any probing question then
mention the question and its answer in brief). 8 Marks
3. Compare the answers with the theoretical knowledge? 7 Marks
4. How we can fill the gap (theoretical knowledge and practical), if there is any? 7 Marks
Interview Guide:
1. Prior to the interview, take the consent from the respondent.
2. Take student ID card while visiting the interviewee.
3. Inform the respondent about the topic and purpose of this interview.
4. Ensure the respondent about his/her confidentiality.
5. Try to record the interview so that you may not miss any important information.
6. In case of no recording facility or permission, do write the responses with due care.
7. Ask the questions exactly as they are written in the questionnaire.
8. Read each question very slowly and clearly.
9. Repeat the questions which are misunderstood.
10. Ask the probing questions, where required.
11. Do not terminate the interview, unless all questions are replied.
12. Information obtained during interview should be as free as possible from researchers bias.

General Instructions:

24 hours extra / grace period after the due date is usually available to overcome uploading
difficulties. This extra time should only be used to meet the emergencies and above mentioned due
dates should always be treated as final to avoid any inconvenience.

Students are advised to study the whole text carefully.

Try not to include any irrelevant material in the solution
Try to come up with precise and original answers.
Any act of plagiarism like copy paste from internet will result in ZERO marks.
Assignments reaching after the due date would not be considered.

Good Luck