KNOWLEDGE FLOW

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KNOWLEDGE FLOW

• MN4118 Session 17
• Prof. Mark Nissen

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Agenda

• Review KM Concepts
• Knowledge Flow
• JTF Study
• Manpower Implications
• Summary

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Knowledge Power

• Knowledge is power!
• Well-accepted for individuals
• Now pursued by organizations
• Knowledge management
• Broad enterprise interest
• Knowledge as critical corporate asset
• Knowledge superiority in NCW
• University epitomizes K-org (I capital only)
• How about USN/USMC?
• Manpower domain?

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KM Concepts

• Knowledge as enterprise asset
• Hiring for experience over ed, intelligence
• Sustainable competitive advantage
• Firm org that knows how to do things
• Unique economics of knowledge
• Create without cost
• Share without losing
• Increasing marginal returns to scale
• Very human endeavor
• Max K org size 200-300 people?

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Knowledge Uniqueness

• Knowledge is unique
• Not data (facts, bits)
• Not information (messages, context)
• Enables action (good decisions, behaviors)

Actionability
Knowledge (understanding)
Information (processed data, knowledge)
Data (raw data)
Abundance
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Integrated Knowledge Process System Design

• KM not just about IT
• Integrate process system design
• Step 1 Process analysis
• Understand ( redesign) process first
• Step 2 Knowledge analysis
• ID critical knowledge (CSFs)
• Step 3 Context analysis
• Understand process environment
• Step 4 System analysis
• Usual IS AD stuff

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KMLC IT Coverage
Research
Create (tacit)
Evolve (refine)
Organize (ontology)
Class II (performative)
Class I (supportive)
Formalize (explicit)
Apply (action)
Distribute (group)
Application
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Knowledge Flow

• Knowledge flow is important
• Knowledge not evenly distributed
• Flow across time, space, organizations
• Knowledge flow not well understood
• Electrical flow gt amplifier, IC
• Air flow gt wing, engine
• Knowledge flow gt K amplifier, K engine
• Not the stuff sent across networks/comms

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Knowledge Flow?
- Written instructions (using chopsticks?) - Ask
the KM experts
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Knowledge Flow?
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Hierarchical Layered Flow
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BPR vs. KM -Vertical Processes
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Theater Transition Example

• CVBG intelligence ops (thesis)
• Handoff departing/arriving N2 shops
• Local knowledge intel gt performance
• How to improve transition?

Potential gains from knowledge flow
Transition
Performance
BG1
BG2
Day
0 90
180
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Maritime Interdiction Example
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Knowledge-Flow Exercise

• Knowledge-intensive process?
• What is horizontal process?
• Why difficult across time orgs?
• What are vertical processes?
• Suggestions for improvement?

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Knowledge-Flow Theory - Nonaka
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Knowledge-Flow Theory - Vector-Space
Representation
Explicitness
Explicit
- Memorization
- Comprehension
- Application
- Analysis
- Synthesis
- Evaluation
Tacit
Individual Group Organization
Inter-organization
Reach
Evolve Apply Distribute Formalize Organize
Create
Life Cycle
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Nonaka Theory - Vector-Space Representation
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IT Coverage - 2D Projection
Individual Group Organization
Inter-organization

Reach
K
S
Poor support
Good support
Class I systems practices
Evolve Apply Distribute Formalize Organize
Create
E
C
I
R
Life Cycle
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Knowledge-Flow Study

• ONR YI project (01 - 04)
• Develop test knowledge-flow theory
• Focus on Navy - extreme enterprise
• Business processes technologies
• Three-part research design
• 1 - Knowledge-flow model descriptive (C3F)
• 2 - Micro-contingency model explanatory (NPS)
• 3 - Performance effects predictive (Stanford)
• Then design, build test useful devices
• 2-5 years from now

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Field Site

• USS Coronado CJTF Flagship

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Key Knowledge Elements Vertical Processes
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Knowledge Visualization
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Knowledge-flow Patterns
Life Cycle
OP Plan
Combat
Synthesis
OJTC OJTO
Acquire (indiv)
Contacts
AssignC MentorC MentorO
Transfer
IS use Leadership
TrainC
Dissem
Intel ops
OP Area
Explicitness
Apply
Evaluation
Flow Time
Hours Days Weeks Months
Years
Decades
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Preliminary Knowledge Flows
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Sunset Underway
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Manpower Implications

• Knowledge is most important asset
• Much important knowledge is tacit
• In minds of people
• Takes time to develop
• Knowledge-flow processes
• Recruiting, training, assignment?
• Most flow is via people, OJT?
• Manpower issues
• Periodic job rotation?
• Up or out?
• Others?

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Summary

• Knowledge is power (enterprise)
• Knowledge flow is key
• Knowledge not evenly distributed
• Not the stuff of networks/comms
• Flow mechanics are unclear
• Vertical processes appear important
• Drive knowledge flows
• Military warfare
• Many in manpower domain
• Exam questions?