Knowledge Management

Attar, F. A., and K. Shaalan, "Enablers and Barriers of Knowledge Spiral: A Case Study", The 11th International Knowledge Management in Organizations Conference (KMO '16), Germany, 28 July, 2016. Abstracta52-attar.pdf

Knowledge Management (KM) and knowledge sharing (KS) have become crucial tasks for both Middle Managers and Top Managers of many organizations, especially those who highly rely on the type of knowledge which is difficult to transfer from one person to another, or what is called “Tacit Knowledge”. The objective of this case study is to review the practical knowledge transfer techniques, the main motivators and demotivators of a tacit knowledge transfer process, and the measures that can be taken to overcome the demotivation factors. Siemens is chosen for this case study because it has been recently rated as one of the top Knowledge-Management-driven companies. We present here our own observations on some of the KM practices that Siemens strives to implement in its branches in the Middle East countries and the barriers which are challenging such practices.

Dali, H., and K. Shaalan, "Knowledge Sharing Through E-Government Portal", The 11th International Knowledge Management in Organizations Conference (KMO '16), Germany, 25 July, 2016. Abstracta34-dali.pdf

The advent of technology has changed the way of government to communicate with its stakeholders by incorporating the notion of e-government based on web-portal. These web-portals whereas identified successful in communicating with the stakeholders also played a vital role in sharing and managing knowledge. Based on this notion, this article is concerned with the role of e-government portal in sharing knowledge and the way through which this portal increases the efficiency of entire public sector. In the same instance, the K-ACT model of internet portal is analyzed to identify the features that make a web-portal best and perfect. In this article, we conducted a literature review and focused our attention on analyzing the e-government portals of four countries i.e. China, Hong Kong, Beijing and Turkish Municipalities. For the analysis and comparison purposes, the checklist of K-ACT model is used. The findings revealed that the e-government portal of these countries is not fully matched with the features as described in K-ACT, which ultimately affect the knowledge management and sharing practices in the region. Therefore, recommendations are made to improve the existing portal for knowledge sharing so that citizens can take more knowledge benefits from the e-government portals.

Samra, R. A., and K. Shaalan, "Exploring Chaotic Performance in Projects and its Relationship with Knowledge Creation Process", The 11th International Knowledge Management in Organizations Conference (KMO '16), Germany, 25 July, 2016. Abstracta27-samra.pdf

In this study the researcher is focusing on the performance of the project. During the life cycle of projects managers are striving to forecast the future performance of the project according to the historical patterns of performance. Irregular performance and randomness are representing chaotic performance periods in project’s life. The study proposes five propositions. The first proposition is that Manager have different conscious perceptions about accepted levels of order and chaos in their project performance. The second proposition is that Knowledge Creation Process has different characteristics in chaotic perceived projects and order perceived projects. The third proposition is that managers have different prioritization of knowledge assets from which they create new knowledge for chaotic performance projects. The fourth proposition is that Sources of knowledge creation differ according to the context of project performance. The fifth proposition is that Assets used for knowledge creation during chaotic performance periods differ according to managers’ tendency to innovate. This study is a qualitative analysis of secondary data that comes from literature review and primary data that comes from interviews with experts and project managers. The researcher investigated four styles of knowledge creation during chaotic performance periods; experiential knowledge creation style, innovative knowledge creation style, precautions and risk minimization knowledge creation style, and specialty based knowledge creation style. Conclusions and recommendations are provided to project managers on which knowledge assets are leading to innovative knowledge creation.

Hassan, M. K. A., T. R. Soomro, and T. R. Soomro, "Information Sharing Framework for National Resilience", The 26th International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA) Conference, Madrid, Spain, 11 November, 2015. Abstractinformation_sharing.pdf

To institute the characteristics of an effective Information Sharing for sustainability, the study mined the different aspects of information sharing under different statuses. The developed understandings became the provision from which the characteristics of effective Information Sharing were drawn. Using Mixed approach Phenomenology as a method of research, the lived experiences and information sharing approaches used into the organization served as pragmatic data which were reflected upon until the devising of understandings about impact on performance of the organizations. The result for study revealed that Information Sharing abilities are distinctive and are practiced by destitution. These practices and styles standout as good instructors, goal-oriented, support society and are obedient to their seniors. Thus the reader will have a wide knowledge about information sharing itself and the theories and thoughts behind it, which covers the different definitions and the aims of information sharing.

Abou Samrah, R., and K. Shaalan, "The Relationship between Knowledge Sharing Climate and Conflict Resolution Styles, Knowledge Management in Organizations", Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing: Springer, 2015. knowledge_sharing.pdf
Emran, M. A., and K. Shaalan, "E-podium Technology: A medium of managing Knowledge at Al Buraimi University College via M-learning", BCS International IT Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 March, 2014. Abstracte-podium_technology_a_medium_of_managing_knowledge_at_al_buraimi_university_college_via_m-learning_1.pdf

Al Buraimi University College (BUC) is one of the well-known private colleges in The Sultanate of Oman, in Al Dhahra region, which is affiliated with California State University Northridge (CSUN), USA. It is well-known that Knowledge management can help in identifying the gaps and weaknesses in organizations and suggesting effective solutions. This paper focuses on the learning process itself. A lack in knowledge management has been identified where BUC follows a traditional way of delivering the teaching-material to students where there is no means of educational management system that is capable of handling or storing the entire lecture’s material. BUC’s students, specifically who do not regularly attend lectures due to their work obligations, are having problems with getting access to the course material. This study sheds the light on how E-podium technology along with the recent Mobile technology can solve this kind of problems. The proposed solution is novel which combines four different technological resources: M-learning, E-podium, BUC Website and Video Conferencing. E-podium device allows recording of lectures on real time. Mobile learning allows the lecturers to upload/update the course-material to their personal web page at their convenience. Students at the same time will get an access to lectures’ material as well as to the course-material. Our study showed the proposed Knowledge Management model in BUC helps in getting the most out of knowledge resources that facilitate the generation and access to the teaching material.

Owayid, A. M., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan, "Strategic Change in Knowledge Management and E-Learning: Enhancing Workplace Learning", European Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 100, issue 2, pp. 230-240, 2013. Abstractstrategic_change_in_km_and_e-learning_ejsr_vol_100_issue_2.pdfWebsite

E-learning is an emerging field in the intersection of education learning, and business, referring to delivered information and education services or improved via Internet services and related technologies. The paper is an attempt to show how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL) specifically can be of prominent support in the workplace. Aligning firm as a whole to a continually changing environment as far as learning and innovation are concerned is a challenge. The paper posits that KM consists of enablers such as Information systems infrastructure, Team working, Employees involvement, Top management leadership and commitment, and Employee empowerment that are critical to the success of a knowledge-based organization.
The presented model in this paper integrates Knowledge management and elearning into adaptable framework that offers integrated support as well as effect on various Medias involved in the education systems. The model is a suggestion to improve teaching and learning process and how KM adds a successful help for educational consumers in selecting and evaluating e-learning media. The model is based on an analysis of KM and elearning literature and the information search process.

Owayid, A. M., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan, "Effectiveness of Information Systems Infrastructure and Team Learning in Integrating Knowledge Management and e-Learning Technologies", The 8th International Conference on Knowledge Management in Organizations, Netherlands, Springer , pp. 557-566, 2014. Abstractkmo2013.pdf

E-learning is an emerging field in the intersection of education learning, and business, and refers to information and education services delivered or improved via Internet services and related technologies. This paper attempts to show how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL) specifically can be of prominent support in the workplace. The model presented in this paper explains the factors or elements of support that facilitate the integration of KM and EL which is characterised by a dynamic alignment of an information systems infrastructure with team learning and flows of knowledge leading to the successful acquisition of knowledge in organisations. This framework offers integrated support and effects on the various medias involved in education systems. The model is a suggestion to improve the teaching and learning process and explains how KM can assist educational consumers in selecting and evaluating EL media. The model is based on an analysis of KM and EL literature and the information search process.

Owayid, A., K. Alrawi, and K. Shaalan, "The Effect of Information Systems Infrastructure and Staff Involvement in the Integration of Knowledge Management and E- Learning Technologies in Academic Institutions", The Cambridge Business & Economics Conference (CBEC 2013), Cambridge, UK, 2013. Abstractcambridge_bussiness_nd_economics_conf.pdf

Recently, E-learning has emerged as modern field with in the cooperation of education and business sectors by means of information, based-Internet services, and education services that are delivered or improved. This paper is an attempt to highlight how knowledge management (KM) and E-learning (EL), specifically, can be of prominent support in the workplace.

The purpose of the paper is to develop a model that is composed of a range of components and factors that affect integration between knowledge management and e-learning. It is characterised by dynamic alignment between information systems infrastructure, staff involvement and the flows of knowledge towards the success of knowledge acquisition in academic institutions.

The developed model will contribute to offer support to the process of integrating e-learning and knowledge management. In addition, the suggested model will present certain suggestions to improve the teaching learning process and shows how KM provides successful help for educational consumers in selecting and evaluating e-learning technologies. The model is based on analysis of KM and e-learning literature and the information of this study.