LIS 2103 H Organization Knowledge Management: Models and Technologies Faculty of Information Studies University of Toronto Spring 2001 Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 1 Contact Manuel Kolp 6, King s College Road Department of Computer Science Pratt Building Room LP265 A M5S 3H5 Toronto Tel. 978 7569 Fax. 978 1455 E-mail: mkolp@cs.toronto.edu Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 2
Course Description Information systems professionals are increasingly being called upon to help manage the knowledge in an organization, beyond conventional information processing. A wide range of information technologies, such as workflow groupware, intranets, expert systems, software agents, data warehouses, active databases, meta-architectures, ERP systems. This course examines how these technologies can be used to help manage the knowledge in an organization. Modeling techniques that can be used during systems analysis in the context of organizational knowledge management will be considered. Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 3 Course Objective The course aims to expose students to the issues of organizational knowledge management, to provide opportunities to learn and apply modeling techniques to understand the use of various types of information technologies in meeting organizational knowledge management needs. Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 4
Scope The focus of the course is on the technology aspects of KM from an information systems perspective. The concept of organizational knowledge management from a management perspective will be reviewed. The theme of KM is treated in a number of courses at FIS, including 2102 (Information Management in Organizations: Models and Platforms) and 2158 (Managing Corporate Information). 2103 may best be viewed as a follow-up to 1341 (Analyzing Information Systems). It extends systems analysis techniques to deal with knowledge modeling and KM technologies. 2101 (Aligning Systems, Informational and Organizational Architectures) may be taken as an integrating course after 2103. It considers the use of various technologies from a design perspective, whereas 2103 emphasizes modeling and analysis. Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 5 Pre-Requisites LIS 1341 Analyzing Information Systems: process modeling, ER modeling, OO modeling, organization modeling. Or permission of instructor. Recommended: LIS 1340: organizational contexts, implications of IS, varieties of IS. LIS 1230: theories of organizations, organization design. 2103 does not presuppose prior knowledge about knowledge technologies. Students from all streams are welcome. Students who want a more general exposure to the study of organizations from a knowledge perspective, and who desire some hands-on experience with selected technologies are encouraged to take 2102 before taking 2103 Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 6
Assignment 1 (25%) 1 individual research paper/ technical report (8-10 pages) on a Knowledge Management topic/issues based on 5 or + published articles, book chapters. You can choose the topic/issue and title. It is necessary to cite the relevant literature correctly. The report must include: Title Author Abstract Keywords Introduction Sections (and subsections) Conclusion References (5( 5 required papers and +) + Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 7 Assignment 2 (30%) 1 case study (group of 2 students, 15-20 pages) Select an organization (or part thereof) to study. The setting(s) may be selected from published case studies or (optionally) if you are working, your own organization may well be appropriate. Explore the KM issues including modeling and technological aspects of this organization and report on your findings, propose a solution A possible (not obligatory) methodology: 1. What is the mission of this organization? 2. Background on the organization: What industry it is in, what products/services it offers, who its major competitors are, how it distinguishes itself from its competitors, what its culture is, and any major environmental (i.e., extraorganizational) factors that are influencing firms in this industry. Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 8
Assignment 2 3. To what extent does achievement of this mission depend on the knowledge of the workers in the organization? 4. Identify a number of decision-making areas that are crucial to the achievement of the mission. 5. Identify the most critical knowledge management issues from the previous step and their potential impact. 6. What business problems can KM and a KM system (can) attempt to address? Are these issue an important determinant of the firm's future success? 7. To what extent are these knowledge areas structurable with computerized support? What sort of support is appropriate? Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 9 Assignment 2 8. Describe and model (not mandatory) part of the KM system For instance a) Structural aspects (Generic Relationships) b) Organizational aspects c) Intentional aspects d) Architecture e) Technologies 9. Make your recommendations. Deliverables: Report (15-20 pages maximum length: 10,000 words) which explores the work done and cite the relevant literature correctly The report should show an understanding of the relevance of knowledge management concepts to the context of your study. The advantages and limitations of application of knowledge management should also be outlined in the report. Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 10
Other Assignments Presentation of the research paper (Assignment 1) (10 %) Each person will be given 10-15 minutes to present his/her paper to the class. Use slides for your presentation to illustrate your findings. A copy of these overheads has to be submitted to the instructor before the presentation. Final Exam - Course Material (No Aids Allowed) (30%) You will receive a list of questions 2 weeks before the final exam Final questions will be taken from that list Participation (5%) Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 11 Important Dates February 1 (Week 4) : Paper Description Due (Assignment 1): title, subject,... March 8 (Week 9) : Paper Due (Assignment 1) March 8 (Week 9) : Presentations March 15 (Week 10) : Presentations March 15 (Week 10) : Case Study Description Due (Ass. 2) April 12 (Week 14) : Exam and Case Study Due Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 12
Course Material Syllabus, Bibliography, Lectures Notes http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~mkolp/lis2103 Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 13 Course Topics and Schedule (approximate) Week 1 : Introduction Course and Assignments description, Knowledge and Knowledge Management concepts Week 2 : Working Knowledge Knowledge in Organization, Knowledge Management, Knowledge Processes, Week 3 : Tools and Technologies Week 4 : Organizational (System) Architectures Week 5 : Knowledge Modeling Ontologies, Structures, Concepts, Relationships Modeling Week 6 : Knowledge Modeling Organization Modeling Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 14
Course Topics and Schedule (approximate) Week 7 : Knowledge Modeling Intention, Communication, Dynamics Modeling Week 8 : Reading Week Week 9 : Paper Presentations Week 10 : Paper Presentations Week 11 : Knowledge Based technologies AI Systems, Knowledge Bases, Expert Systems Week 12 : Knowledge-Based technologies Agent systems, Reflection and Metalevels Week 13 : (E-)Business systems and KM, Questions/Answers ERP, E-business systems, Enterprise Information Portal, Q & A Week 14 : Final Exam Organizational Knowledge Management-- Syllabus 15