Information Technology

  2010 APR 27 - (VerticalNews.com) -- "The purpose of this study is to identify and examine various factors that influence the success or failure of knowledge management (KM) initiatives in project-based companies. Design/methodology/approach - Following a literature review, the study proposes a conceptual model of six factors of potential importance to the success of KM initiatives," researchers in Vaasa, Finland report.

  "The model is then examined through an online survey of project managers and assistant managers from project-based businesses in Finland. The study finds that a lack of incentives and the absence of an appropriate information system are the most significant barriers to successful KM initiatives in projects. Research limitations/implications - The findings of the study may be restricted in terms of generalisability because of the limited empirical study. Practical implications - Project managers should formulate an attractive incentive package to encourage project members to participate in KM initiatives and to suggest ideas for new KM opportunities. Managers should also ensure that an effective user-friendly information system is in place before introducing KM initiatives," wrote M. Ajmal and colleagues, University of Vaasa ...read more

  2010 APR 27 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Hamilton, Canada, "The purpose of this study is to conduct a scientometric analysis of the body of literature contained in 11 major knowledge management and intellectual capital (KM/IC) peer-reviewed journals. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 2,175 articles published in 11 major KM/IC peer-reviewed journals were carefully reviewed and subjected to scientometric data analysis techniques. ...read more

  2010 APR 27 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to a study from Leeds, the United Kingdom, "The purpose of this paper is to review the growing literature bridging social capital (SC) and knowledge management (KM). The paper seeks to identify the causal factors for this recent research into the connection between SC and KM, and also to explicate the relationship between the most relevant neo-capital theories and KM."

  "Further, the paper aims to argue that Granovetter's and Coleman's socially embedded understanding of market activity is the most relevant for examining the SC and KM interface. Finally the paper seeks to offer guiding approaches drawn from SC literature for enhancing KM performance. Design/methodology/approach - The paper reviews the SC literature from a KM perspective. First, interest in SC from KM scholars is driven by a number of inter-linked causal factors. Second, SC is significant for KM purposes and can be understood as being complementary to and parallel with other intangible capitalisations, such as human capital (HC) and intellectual capital (IC). Third, there are a number of guiding notions that organisations can adapt to construct and enhance SC for KM purposes. However SC processes are complicated and context-dependent and therefore resistant to micro-management and ''one size fits all prescriptions. Originality/value - The paper examines the broader context of the SC and KM interdisciplinary meeting place. It argues for an ''embedded'' theoretical understanding of SC that is most relevant for KM performance, and also explicates the parallel nature of neo-capital theories from a KM perspective," wrote P. Manning and colleagues, Leeds Metropolitan University ...read more