Strategies for designing and implementing knowledge management systems: An interpretive case study of two Western Australian house-building firms

Knowledge management is a relatively new concept that has received substantial attention in the academic and industry literature particularly in the information systems field. Proponents of knowledge management argue that it has been driven by the desire of organisations for greater innovation, cost reduction and process improvements (Wilson. Jackson & Smith 2003). Little research, though, has been conducted from a knowledge management perspective into how Western Australian house-building enterprises develop and implement information systems. The WA house-building industry forms part of the wider building and construction community. Most construction firms are small to-medium-sized enterprises that differ from large organisations in that they generally lack internal expertise, financial resources and have IS and IT landscapes that have been shaped by the dominant role played by the owner or manager of the firm (rink 1998). The exponential rise in communication technologies - such as the Internet, Intranets and mobile digital imaging - is rapidly changing the environment in which the WA house-building industry operates. These emerging technologies are reducing the need for firms to rely on sophisticated proprietary systems to collect, store and disseminate their knowledge. This situation brings with it its own sets of issues that must be intelligently managed. A strategic approach will leverage technologies to support knowledge-in-action within the social and cultural context of the organisation. At the same time, space must be created to permit the emergence of tools that may strengthen organizational performance and sustainable competitive advantage. The critical point taken up by this research was that there is a range of considerations in the planning and implementation of an information system, and the use of multiple knowledge management theories in tandem may facilitate this. The theoretical problem guiding this study was to expand knowledge management theory to include the W A house-building industry. The first objective of this study was to identify how WA house-building enterprises approached their knowledge management initiatives. The second was to construct a framework for analysing the factors that may be used to assist local managers in predetermining the critical success factors and outcomes of their knowledge management initiatives. A case study methodology incorporating an interpretive perspective was adopted within the research. Case samples were limited to two Western Australian house building enterprises. This study contributes to a better understanding of the Western Australian house building industry and their approach to developing and implementing knowledge management systems. Furthermore, the discoveries and recommendations presented in this research can be applied to the wider construction industry and small to medium sized business communit

Challenges and success factors for implementation of lean manufacturing in European SMES

Small and medium-sized enterprises are crucial to value creation in the European economy. The SMEs need continuous improvement initiatives to stay competitive. However, SMEs are less likely to implement lean practices compared to larger companies. Limited research exists on the factors that are vital for succeeding with Lean implementations in SMEs. A case study of Norwegian and Belgium SMEs has been conducted in the European research project ERIP (European Regions for Innovative Productivity). Six critical success factors are suggested, which correspond well with previous research: 1) Ensure strong management involvement. 2) Develop thorough employee participation. 3) Allocate sufficient time for preparing the organisation. 4) Focus on creating motivation to complete initiatives. 5) Build competence internally in the organisation. 6) Establish a performance evaluation system

Multiple case-study analysis of quality management practices within UK Six Sigma and non-Six Sigma manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises

This paper examines multiple case-study analysis of quality management practices within UK Six Sigma and non-Six Sigma manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises

M-Hafazan: aplikasi mudah alih untuk pengajian tahfiz

Pendidikan tahfiz secara formal telah berkembang pesat serta mendapat perhatian istimewa dari masyarakat Islam di Malaysia. Perkembangan ini disebabkan oleh kesedaran dan permintaan ibu bapa dalam menerapkan al-Quran kepada anak-anak melalui hafazan. Pada masa kini, terdapat banyak aplikasi yang dapat menyokong pembelajaran tahfiz. Namun begitu, tiada aktiviti pengukuhan disediakan bagi membolehkan penghafaz al-Quran menguji tahap ingatan mereka terhadap ayat-ayat yang telah dihafaz. Aplikasi m-Hafazan ini dibangunkan dengan tujuan menyokong pengajian tahfiz dengan lebih baik. Aplikasi ini dibangunkan dengan menggunakan metodologi Multimedia Mobile Content Development. Metodologi ini dipilih kerana ia dapat mempercepatkan proses pembangunan aplikasi serta mengurangkan penggunaan pemprosesan data peranti mudah alih. Pengujian aplikasi telah dijalankan terhadap pelajar-pelajar dan guru dari Sekolah Rendah Islam Tahfiz, Parit Raja. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan 78.3% pelajar sangat bersetuju aplikasi m-Hafazan sesuai digunakan sebagai medium alternatif dalam pengajian hafazan al-Quran. Selain itu, 85% pelajar sangat bersetuju bahawa aplikasi ini dapat membantu pengukuhan hafazan mereka. Kesimpulannya, walaupun kaedah talaqqi (bersemuka) merupakan pendekatan yang terbaik dalam pengajian hafazan, namun implementasi aplikasi m-Hafazan berpotensi untuk dijadikan kaedah alternatif dalam pembelajaran hafazan bagi pelajar tahfiz mahupun bukan

Enablers and Constraints in Implementing Lean Manufacturing: evidence from Brazilian SMEs

Lean Manufacturing has revolutionized the global manufacturing environment at an unprecedented rate. In scholarly and managerial literature, many works have reported that Lean Manufacturing is a very efficient approach and a straightforward way towards process improvements, in terms of productivity and value adding activities ratio. However, many studies on Lean Manufacturing have highlighted many problems in its implementation. The analysis carried out within the research project is aimed to the factors enabling or constraining the Lean Transformation of a firm’s production system, along with the most relevant tools or practices to be applied. The research methodology used is the so-called “Normative Delphi” with a panel formed by 32 experts coming from 16 Brazilian SMEs. Our results are partially consistent with what has already been discussed in the literature and we found that the most relevant tools/practices are: value stream mapping, 5S methodology, and Kaizen (Gemba walks); the top three enabling factors are: knowledge and sponsorship of senior management, focus on continuous improvement, and employee development fostered by the company; finally, the main critical constraints are: little support from the top management, resistance to change by middle management, and poor or non-qualified Lean training activities

Guidelines Penerapan Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Untuk Meningkatkan Keberhasilan Organisasi Dengan Metodologi Iris Dan Six Sigma

The business environment requires organizations to have access to important and up-to-date information about their customers. Customers are one of the most important factors in today's business environment. Completeness, accuracy, up-to-date and customer information across all functions and parts of the organization is mandatory. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can be an initiative to become a top priority in business, especially in terms of helping organizations identify and adapt to their customer needs, improve customer satisfaction, and retain existing customers.There are several well-known methodologies in implementing CRM, including methodology. Iris and the Six Sigma Methodology. There are several important points on which to base the comparison between the two methodologies including Critical Success Factor, Strength, Weakness and Organization. The Iris methodology emphasizes the integration of strategic aspects and CRM technology as one of the most attractive factors in the use of customer-oriented CRM but has many weaknesses such as limited consideration of Critical Success Factor (CSF), the user is not involved in the design of the CRM system, there is no indication or measures for user acceptance, and limited validation of methodologies for small and medium enterprises. The Six Sigma methodology has strong points in driving CRM implementation but there are many weaknesses such as limited consideration of CSF, limited validation of the methodology, the user is not involved in the design of the CRM system, and no indication or measurement of user acceptance of the methodology. The close link or integration between Iris and Six Sigma methodologies can be an effort to run a CRM system effectively and efficiently. This linkage will enable organizations to implement CRM from both a customer-oriented perspective that focuses on managing customer knowledge to anticipate future customer needs (TO-BE), establishes a clear pathway in CRM implementation that focuses on the successful adoption and implementation of CRM, prepares end users. order to be trained for the implementation of CRM, and determine the readiness of assessment of technology and organization in implementing CRMKeywords : CRM, Iris, Six sigm

SMEs COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING IMPLEMENTATION: FINDING FROM CENTRAL JAVA

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an integrated application software for widespread use in the organization. The aim of this study is to determine factors that affect the successful implementation of ERP in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Central Java in order to build competitive advantage. To test the hypothesis, this study utilized data from 107 SMEs in Central Java. The results revealed that variable Business Process Reengineering have the greatest influence toward the successful implementation in Small and Medium Enterprises. It is suggested that SMEs should gain knowledge and solidify its business process reengineering before implementing ERP

A framework for the successful implementation of food traceability systems in China

Implementation of food traceability systems in China faces many challenges due to the scale, diversity and complexity of China’s food supply chains. This study aims to identify critical success factors specific to the implementation of traceability systems in China. Twenty-seven critical success factors were identified in the literature. Interviews with managers at four food enterprises in a pre-study helped identify success criteria and five additional critical success factors. These critical success factors were tested through a survey of managers in eighty-three food companies. This study identifies six dimensions for critical success factors: laws, regulations and standards; government support; consumer knowledge and support; effective management and communication; top management and vendor support; and information and system quality

Can knowledge management save regional development?

Australia needs to create innovative regions to sustain economic prosperity and regional development. In order to do this, regions will need to systematically address their knowledge needs and identify tools that are appropriate in maximising their effectiveness. Many initiatives have focused on information and communication technology (ICT) to enable knowledge exchange and stimulate knowledge generation, but active knowledge management (KM) strategies are required if ICTs are to be used effectively. These strategies must respond to the regional economic and social environments which incorporate small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper outlines the importance of KM for supporting regional cluster development and the key ways in which communities of practice (CoPs), a KM technique, have been used to add value in similar contexts. How CoPs and their online counterpart, virtual communities of practice (VCoPs), can be used and developed in regional areas of Australia is considered along with a program for further research.<br /