An Organizational Concept Space Approach to Knowledge Distribution

Matching information requirements with available information is an important problem for large organizations. The most commonly used mechanisms to match users and information are information retrieval techniques and information filtering techniques. Information retrieval techniques proposed in literature focus primarily on modeling the content and do not personalize the results to the user. Information filtering techniques, on the other hand, focus primarily on modeling users and ignore modeling the content to be filtered. In this dissertation, we propose a new paradigm for matching users with information by integrating content modeling techniques from information retrieval literature and user modeling techniques from information filtering literature, into a combined mechanism to proactively deliver relevant information to users within an organizational context. Our research contributions in this dissertation are three-fold. First, we develop techniques that automatically model content or domain information in the form of a hierarchical network of concepts called a similarity network, and develop feedback mechanisms that automatically update user profiles for changing interests. Second, we conduct a user study for comparative evaluation of different information distribution mechanisms in distributing relevant knowledge to interested users in an organization. Third, we study the merits of information distribution as a paradigm for informing knowledge workers and study its effects on the productivity of organizational members. The results of this study will open new avenues for knowledge dissemination by helping explore alternative and hybrid models for matching users with knowledge objects

Towards a Design Theory for Process-Based Knowledge Management Systems

In today’s knowledge economy, organizations need to effectively manage their knowledge to support an increasing number of knowledge intensive business processes. Such knowledgeintensive business processes could be more effectively supported by Process-based knowledge management (PKM) systems that integrate knowledge management services with process management systems. However, currently there are minimal design guidelines for developing such PKM systems. In this research-in-progress paper, we highlight this research problem, and propose a preliminary framework that can be extended to serve as a design theory for developing process-based knowledge management systems. Specifically, we identify kernel theories governing the design and development of PKM systems, and propose a design process for developing PKM systems. We also identify future research opportunities for further extending the framework and its evaluation

A Risk Assessment Framework for Inter-Organizational Knowledge Sharing

Internet-based Information, Communication and Collaboration technologies are making it easier for organizations and knowledge workers to collaborate across organizational boundaries. However, it is necessary for organizations to monitor, regulate and build appropriate security mechanisms in collaboration systems to prevent loss of strategic knowledge and competitive advantage. In this paper, we present a risk assessment framework that can help organizations identify valuable knowledge assets exposed through collaboration technologies, and assess the risk of knowledge loss, intellectual property leakage, and the subsequent loss of competitive advantage so that appropriate security mechanism can be designed to prevent such a loss. We present an illustrative scenario to demonstrate the feasibility of the framework, and describe a prototype decision support system for automating the risk assessment process

A Design Process for Process-based Knowledge Management Systems

In order to gain sustainable competitive advantage in today’s knowledge economy, organizations are looking beyond routine transactional workflow processes to support knowledge-intensive processes. Traditional business process management systems are effective in providing coordination support, but are not geared towards providing relevant knowledge support as well. Also, knowledge management systems are used in an ad hoc manner without explicitly linking them to the underlying organizational processes. Process-based knowledge management (PKM) systems have emerged as a potential solution to support knowledge-intensive processes. However, design guidelines for developing PKM systems are minimal. This paper highlights this research problem, identifies kernel theories governing the design and development of PKM systems, and synthesizes various kernel theories to propose a comprehensive design theory for PKM systems. Feasibility and a comparative evaluation of the proposed design theory are also discussed

Decision Modeling for Healthcare Enterprise IT Architecture Utilizing Cloud Computing

In this paper, we present an overview of cloud computing, examine the potential uses for cloud computing in healthcareenvironments, and propose a framework to guide architectural selection decisions regarding information systems in bothlarge and small healthcare organizations. The framework provides insight to both practitioners and academics by extendingour understanding of the decisions regarding computing architectures within the healthcare system

Evaluating the Impact of Health Information Technology on Quality

There is an important need to understand how health information technology impacts healthcare quality. In this systematic review we analyze recent literature to understand the relationship between health information technology and healthcare quality. We report preliminary findings and offer recommendations for future study

A Usability Analysis Framework for Healthcare Information Technology

Healthcare organizations are investing in healthcare information technology (HIT) to improve quality and outcomes. However, HIT has also been known to introduce unintended consequences and adverse effects. The adverse effects range from process changes to serious clinical errors. In order to ensure the safety of healthcare information technologies, we propose a usability analysis framework for healthcare information technology that can help identify, classify and prioritize potential errors. Such a framework can help design better usability studies specifically targeted at studying technology-induced errors and therefore help in the design of safer healthcare information technologies

A Framework for Assessing Knowledge Sharing Risks in Interorganizational Networks

Collaboration technologies are making it easier for organizations and knowledge workers to collaborate across organizational boundaries. However, it is necessary for organizations to monitor, regulate and build appropriate security mechanisms in collaboration systems to prevent loss of strategic knowledge and competitive advantage. In this paper, we present a risk assessment framework that can help organizations identify valuable knowledge assets that can be exposed through collaboration technologies, and help prioritize security strategies that can be used to secure the collaboration systems to prevent the loss of valuable knowledge assets. We present an illustrative case to demonstrate the feasibility of the framework, and discuss issues for future research

A Preliminary Framework for Usability Analysis in Healthcare

We propose a usability analysis framework for healthcare information technology to help identify potential errors and evaluate their impact on medical processes

Knowledge Flow in Online Communities: A Study of the Relationship Between Knowledge Complexity, Online Collaboration, and Knowledge Flow

Prior research establishes useful theory on knowledge flow, knowledge complexity, and collaboration in organizations. However, blogs, wikis, and discussion forums support collaboration and knowledge flow in a new realm, distributed work settings, where participants rarely if ever enjoy face-toface contact. This research will investigate the unique features of online communities that facilitate knowledge flow. Specifically, we will look at the interaction of knowledge complexity and collaboration in knowledge flow in online communities and help provide guidance for researchers in designing online communities for more efficient knowledge transfer