Page 234 - DCAP208_Management Support Systems

Unit 13: Knowledge Management

Notes
company is Wal-Mart Stores Inc. which through this effort has emerged the world’s largest
corporation.
Knowledge has to be organized for it to be useful and valuable. Depending on what use
will be made of it, knowledge should be organized differently. Addicott et al, (2006,
identified four dimensions to knowledge management. These are connectedness,
completeness, perspective and congruency.
Creation of knowledge is brought about through recognition of gaps existing in an
organization’s knowledge management practices. Choo, (2002), says that knowledge gaps
can stand in the way of problem solving and decision making and therefore hinder
development of new products. Choo developed a model for decision making which aids
in knowledge management. This model involves identifying and evaluating alternatives
by processing all information and knowledge collected up to date.

In its efforts at developing and nurturing insightful knowledge management skills,
Wal-Mart focuses on its organizational objectives which specifically include improved
business performance, innovation, competitive advantage as well as continuous
improvement of business operations and processes. The company’s knowledge
management incorporates such important issues as formal apprenticeship, discussion
forums, corporate libraries, mentoring programs and professional training. The company
also employs specific adaptations of such technologies as expert systems, knowledge
bases, group decision support systems, intranets, knowledge repositories and also
computer supported cooperative work.
Importance of Knowledge Management at the Wal-Mart Stores
Wal-Mart stores have created an indelible mark in the retail business industry. The giant
chain store has an overwhelmingly effective knowledge management program that has
enabled it to retain its competitive advantage even at times of turbulent economic situations.
The corporation’s goals are being achieved simultaneously by strictly adhering to business
aims and balancing operations with the economic growth. Accordingly, economic gin as
a result of positive knowledge management strategies is achieved throughout. The
corporations’ knowledge management strategies have enabled it to focus its strategic
business operations into cutting operational cots and building up a value for its
shareholders.

Knowledge can be classified into three broad forms, namely public, shared and personal
knowledge (Alavi, 2001). Public knowledge can be accessed through public domains such
as internet or books. Shared knowledge on the other hand refers to knowledge that is
exclusively held by employees and is only used in work. Personal knowledge is the least
accessible knowledge and is used mainly in work and daily life.
Through focused differentiation, the Wal-Mart has succeeded in cultivating enormous
productivity and making. The corporation is now the leading of its type in not only the
USA but the whole world itself. Nevertheless, the Wal-Mart stores have encountered
numerous challenges in their attempt at introducing various knowledge management
strategies. Change management analysis has greatly overridden the corporation’s
organizational growth (Alavi, Maryam, Leidner & Dorothy, 2001). Effective knowledge
management at the Wal-Mart stores is largely contributed by its ushering in of big financial
gains on annual production. This important and positive trend has reigned over all major
stores associated with the corporation all over the world. The Wal-Mart stores are now
ideal for businesses, organizations and units at the modern global age. Improved employee
skills as one way of enhancing effective knowledge management by the corporation has
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