Literature Review

Discuss about the Knowledge Management for Oman Oil Company.

The performance of the organizations while operating in the international markets are directly related to the different changes and the management procedures that are considered by the same. Knowledge management of the organizations helps in maintaining the congruity among the different factors that are faced by the organizations while executing the modifications in the processes of the enterprise.  The initiative of upgrading skills of workforce through proper induction of the relevant technological advancements helps in maintaining the improvements in the functioning of the business.

The rationale of the study is dependent on the identification of different knowledge management challenges that are faced by Oman oil Company. The different elements of the change in the systems of the business while operating in the international markets are supported through the proper knowledge management. The issues that are faced by the Oman Oil company while managing the knowledge of the organization is being focused as a part of the report. On the other hand, there are recommended actions that might be undertaken by the organization to control the challenges related to cloud computing and Big Data.

Chi, Lan and Dorjgotov (2012) stated that the identification of requirements of the organization to sustain in markets are based on active management of knowledge assets, which helps as a succeeding factor for the businesses while operating in the international markets. The identification of needs of organizations is to bring in alterations in the processes, which is based on managing the knowledge attributes. However, there are different issues that are faced by the organizations while introducing the different practices of the knowledge management as per the criteria of the business. Zaied, Hussein and Hassan (2012) stated that the most important issue that is faced by the organization while introducing the processes of KM are specifically based on the limitation of information  of the processes among the workforce. Organizations specifically take step to bring in changes in the information systems to strengthen their objectives of initiating the Knowledge Management systems of the business.

On the other hand, Pinho, Rego and Pina Cunha (2012) opined that the lack of identification of the processes that are undertaken by the organization acts as a challenge while an organization considers to undertake proper KM practices. The priorities of knowledge management of the organizations are based on establishing a sound and skilled workforce who would be applying their specific skills on the processes of the organization. However, lack of knowledge of the organizational processes affects the proper functioning of the knowledge management systems. The Open Source applications that might be utilized by the organization are cloud computing and Big Data in the information systems. The utilization of the different cloud computing procedures might bring in risks of data theft and violation of the ethical systems that affects the functioning of the systems of the organization as per the objectives of the business (Dixon-Woods, McNicol  and Martin  2012). The community of practice that is administered by the organization affects the functioning of the processes of the firm through the understanding of the objectives of the business.  Amine Chatti (2012) stated that the lack of proper training of the employees affects the objectives of the business and the performance of the same. Integrating knowledge management and business intelligence practice helps in improving the organizational performance.

Challenges faced by the organization while undertaking Knowledge management

The intelligence of the people while working as per the objectives of the business helps in maintaining the different improvements in the processes of the organization. On the other hand, Rusly, Corner and Sun (2012) opined the different structural and the cultural changes in the organizational structure affects the implementation of Knowledge management of the business. The management of the different information as per the functioning and the objectives of the business is recollected and thereby passed on in the form of proper training sessions. However, Martín-de Castro (2015) stated that the absence of proper training and development of the employees affects the scope of circulating the required knowledge, which will be enabling the employees to undertake the smooth functioning of the processes as per the objectives of the business.

The inherent organizational culture of the Oman Oil Company has affected the functioning of the businesses through the prevention of disclosing various details as per the job requirements. Organizational culture plays a major role in identifying the different knowledge that can be imparted to the employees. Lin, Wu and Yen (2012) stated that the absence of absolute knowledge of the processes affects the functioning of the management of the knowledge in an organization. On the other hand, Martín-de Castro (2015) stated that the judgment of the knowledge that might be imparted to the employees without disclosing the trade secrets of the organization is hard to determine which affects the proper functioning of the KM processes that are planned by the enterprise.

Different human related factors that might affect knowledge management in an organization is dependent on the functioning of the systems as per the facilitator. The organization has taken steps to develop the methods of cloud computing; however, there are issues relating to the technological functioning of the cloud computing. The facilitator plays an important role in identifying the probable outdated techniques that are utilized in the organization. Oman Oil Company faced issues relating to cloud computing due to the security breaching and the like which has affected the smooth performance of the business while undertaking its required processes. Gavrilova and Andreeva (2012) stated that there might be instances where the individuals are afraid to share their knowledge of the processes that are undertaken by the organization due to the fear of losing their respective positions in the business.  It has affected the functioning of the business as per the goals of the same to implement the knowledge management systems in the processes. The different processes that are planned by the organizations for the development of the workforce are based on delivering training sessions to the employees (Pemsel  and Wiewiora  2013). The training sessions helps in maintaining the knowledge among the workforce. However, the lower storage capacity of the organization has affected the objectives of the organization to provide extensive training to the employees on the processes that are executed by the firm. It has affected the performance of business as per the needs of the same to perform. Knowledge among workforce of processes that are estimated by the enterprise facilitates smooth performance of the same while operating as per the objectives of the business. Lee et al.  (2013) stated that KM practices in the organization are dependent on the identification of scopes of the organization. It helps in sharing valuable data and thereby undertakes proper communities of practice initiative to develop the activities. The failure of the employees to express their emotions and knowledge in the organizational structure affects the functioning of the organization while amending as per the KM initiatives of the business (Brodie  and Mylopoulos  2012).

Human related challenges and culture orientation

Omotayo (2015) stated that the outdated systems of the organization and the management of the same through manual functioning has affected the proper functioning of the systems that are planned by the business. The major issue that is faced by the organization while undertaking the approach of proper KM practices are hindered by the technologies that are adopted by the organization while operating in the international markets. Reich, Gemino and Sauer (2014) the implementation of the proper technological aspects of the organizations helps in applying the concepts of KM that is planned by the organization. On the other hand, Becerra-Fernandez, Leidner andLeidner (2014) stated that the lack of proper documentation and circulation of information among the organization affects the smooth functioning of the systems of the business. The Oman Oil Company has recently faced issues while circulating the different information among the workforce that would have been helped the workforce to undertake smooth functioning of the business.

Pandey and Dutta (2013) stated that the identification of the issues in planning and designing of the KM processes challenges the capabilities of the organization to bring forth changes in the systems. On the other hand, the identification of the performance indicators that are undertaken by the organizations affects the functioning of the systems that are planned by the same for improving the functioning of the business. The discrepancies in the performance indicators and the budgeting that is planned by the organization affects the functioning of the same while operating as per the objectives of the business in the market. Ur-Rahmanand Harding (2012) stated that the identification of the needs of the organization to bring in changes in the system of the business undertakings are based on the performance indicators. Therefore, the issues that might occur at the time of the creation of the indicators affect the functioning of the KM systems of the business.  The budgetary deficits of the Oman Oil Company also affect the proper functioning of the KM systems of the business.

According to Del Giudice and Maggioni (2014), retirement of the skilled employees and frequent transfers affects the organizational objective of establishing a sound KM system. retirement of the skilled employees from the workforce affects the flow of information as per the experiences of the people. On the other hand, the functions that are undertaken by the managers of the organization as the expatriates also affect the chain of knowledge transfer. Succession planning process and development of the systems of the organization affects the functioning of the KM systems of the business (Chandrasegaran et al. 2013). Proper succession planning helps the organization in bringing forth improvements and thereby widening the scope of implementing the KM process in the systems. However, most of the time organizations fail to undertake the respective strategies however, in different stages the succession planning of the organization fails to retain the objective of the organization as per the transfer of knowledge is concerned. Von Krogh (2012) stated that the identification of requirements of organizations to transfer the possessed skills of trained employees helps in the execution of succession planning attributes. The change in the organizations are dependent on the identification of the requirements of the business to change the systems and the functions that are undertaken by the enterprise (Wiig  2012).

Challenges related to outdated technologies

The practices that are undertaken by the organizations while considering the KM practices are dependent on the functioning of the systems and the transmission of the knowledge attributes among the employees of the organization. Becerra-Fernandez and Sabherwal (2014) stated that the documentation and the manner in which the organization communicates with the employees of the same helps in establishing a sound coordination among the workforce. It helps in maintaining standards of different modifications as per the systems of the enterprise. The transmission procedure helps in maintaining congruency in actions that are planned by the organization for initiating the practices of the KM. Firestone and McElroy (2012) stated that the communication plays a major role in diversifying and circulating data among the staff members in the organization.

The failure to undertake proper communication strategies affects the organizational goals of undertaking changes as per the needs of the business to bring forth innovation in the processes. Undertaking communities of practice and thereby initiate proper coordination among the members of the organization helps in initiating the practice of KM in the systems of the business. Hislop (2013) noted that the organizational improvements and performance is based on the transfer of skills among the members of the organization, which helps in the smooth functioning of the business. Proper communication strategies that are planned by the business fosters the change in the systems of the enterprise (Hwang  and Ng  2013).

As per the research findings of previous researchers, the respondents suggested that there are several corrective measures, which might be taken in order to deal with the recognized knowledge management issues. This includes the information technology non-IT based solutions. These researchers also stated that in consideration to the IT solutions, for example “organization fragmentation” that is associated with the issues associated with problem of knowledge retrieval and storage along with revival and transfer. Previous researches indicated that the systems must facilitate cooperation and coordination in the process of knowledge management. The establishment of knowledge expert list along with corporate libraries serves as the starting point in order to deal with the knowledge management issues.

Considering the difficulties faced is effective knowledge creation along with codification, it is recommended that the multimedia use briefly explains the basic background knowledge. In consideration to the absence standardized work processes most of the junior knowledge workers recommended that uploading memo within the system of e-portal is necessary. This is for the reason that it can follow as well as retrieve the necessary guidelines and develop electronic library for capturing the training materials or the training manuals. Implementation of a customized knowledge management system can also be considered as the IT department can offer user manual along with suitable systems that can be aligned with departmental needs. This can be implemented in enabling the organization in managing their wodge in better manner. The reorganization indicated within the knowledge management system is also a major issue in the IT solution as numerous respondents indicated that the organization must offer a platform for employees’ anonymous knowledge. It is also recommended that the knowledge contributors must have the right to select a real name.

In consideration to the non-IT based recommendations, the communication-based encouragement along with company involvement is frequently explained by respondents. For instance, it is also recommended that regarding the employees those are likely to share knowledge set up a compensation scheme for time associated with knowledge contribution. There are certain recommendations related with arranging several seminars, uploading such seminar materials on online medium along with a time schedule to contribute or share knowledge in Knowledge management system. Certain respondents also recommended suitable ways in standardizing work practices that considers every employee requires to requires to develop a guidance of their work on paper along with filing them. The organizations must also place their information and knowledge in right place before initiating any knowledge-based work. In addition, the managers can also assign effective employees for writing down knowledge like effective working examples along with ensuring their better storage.

The researchers indicated that the opinions regarding the communication length lines of the companies. Just the head of the department that covers the knowledge management indicates that the communication lines are decreased. The research on the Oman Oil Company indicated that a calling culture is very quick and is waling within each other’s room at the time a question is present as per the respondent. The lines of communication to the management as well as the board might be decreased and for this reason the feedback knowledge is observed is observed to be decreased. Previous researchers stated in general, employees observe it to be complex to walk within the office of the director. Several respondents that takes the view that the communication lines of the organizations are short.

This is also observed to be the opinion that the employee turnover in the organization is generally small that can also be compared with the holding. The other three respondents from the Oman Oil Company held an opposite view and all of the experiences considers that huge staff turnover is an issue. It generally happens regularly and it is also gathered that too much internal aspects requires being solved by the employees. It is also added that the progress reports serve as solutions to the knowledge management issues that are regular agenda items as per the respondents. The employee belonging to the organization departments covering the knowledge management takes view that at the time of meetings excessive time is spent on explaining progress. It is also stated that in most organizations knowledge management process must work in a thematic manner and with certain new assignment it is also determined the people those are qualified in accomplishing the same.

It is also stated that most of the previous researches focus on analyzing the short-term results and this is because of the reason that the short- term thinking generally interferes with the knowledge management process. The knowledge management results just turn out to be visible in the long term and it is quite complex to signify the advantages that are attained from an investment or database. The improvement in the drive capacity of the Oman Oil Company will be helping the organization to save huge amount of data on the cloud, which will be helping the same to circulate the important knowledge based information for the smooth functioning of the processes. It is also added that the employees of the company covering the knowledge management does not are generally not willing to share knowledge openly at tactical as well as in strategic level. Therefore, the enhancement in the capacity of the drive will be helping the organization to bring forth changes in the systems of the business while operating in the international markets.  The director as well as the department head covering management that takes view of the management, which promotes knowledge management.

Heavy portion of unstructured information have the ability of restricting the ability of an organization to use along with gaining from business knowledge. Thus, knowledge management has the duty of capturing information along with ensuring ready availability for increasing the revenue base and productivity of the organization. The firms like Expert System offer knowledge management system, which allow the organizations in seeking benefits of large opportunities offered by unstructured information along with the difficult task of processing the same.

Hence, knowledge management systems are of immense importance for the global business organizations. They enable for rapid decision-making finding it easier in obtaining crucial information via call. In addition, the organizations could reuse expertise and documents in order to improve knowledge systems. This helps in increasing business efficiency and minimizing redundancy. For example, Fortune 500 organizations lose nearly $31.5 billion each year by not utilizing knowledge management. This is purely imperative to the economic health for the organizations in using such systems, since it drives business growth. It is a crucial path to an effective business and it would be a not-needed hardship to not seek benefits of these techniques for avoiding useless and unstructured information.

From analyzing the existing literature on knowledge management issues faced by organizations along with explaining their likely solutions it has been gathered that the viewpoint of junior knowledge employees is distinct from general knowledge development process management understanding. The findings from the literature indicates that such viewpoint is centered on retrieval and storage of knowledge along with transfer than knowledge application and creation. For the reason that the knowledge receivers, junior knowledge employees focus on following work practices those are standardized along with having certain detailed knowledge for learning them. This knowledge management must be accomplished in the technique of storage, retrieval and transfer of relevant knowledge.

The junior knowledge employees indicate that the knowledge is focused around the company, however there is a lack in better knowledge communication. Moreover, they are not associated with several processes of knowledge management. It is also remarked that on the issues related with the knowledge transfer among the senior and junior employees. As the companies do not intend to have a culture of encouraging the junior knowledge staff to get associated general sharing of knowledge and its receiving technique, it is time consuming for these workers to attain knowledge regarding common business processes like best practices. Such slow process of learning greatly explains the company in effectiveness. Junior knowledge workers have an increased desire to employ platform of knowledge management in attaining effective knowledge. Notwithstanding a broad variety of choice related with information technologies assessable in attaining knowledge, the company as well as cultural barriers to efficient knowledge management system use by junior workers is extremely high.

Conclusion

Therefore, from the above analysis of the current literature it might be stated that the proper functioning of the organization depends on the KM practices that are planned by the same. On the other hand, the report enumerates the risks and challenges that might be faced by the organization while implementing the KM practices. The major issue that might be faced by the organization while undertaking the KM practices are due to the lack of coordination and other factors that might be faced by the businesses while implementing the different systems. The different functions that are undertaken by the organization are based on the knowledge attributes and their proper circulation among the different employees in the business.

References 

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Becerra-Fernandez, I. and Sabherwal, R., 2014. Knowledge management: Systems and processes. Routledge.

Becerra-Fernandez, I., Leidner, D.E. and Leidner, D., 2014. Individual, group, and organizational learning: A knowledge management perspective. In Knowledge Management (pp. 27-53). Routledge.

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Chandrasegaran, S.K., Ramani, K., Sriram, R.D., Horváth, I., Bernard, A., Harik, R.F. and Gao, W., 2013. The evolution, challenges, and future of knowledge representation in product design systems. Computer-aided design, 45(2), pp.204-228.

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Del Giudice, M. and Maggioni, V., 2014. Managerial practices and operative directions of knowledge management within inter-firm networks: a global view. Journal of Knowledge Management, 18(5), pp.841-846.

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