Knowledge-based Practices for Managing the Outsourced Project

The management of outsourced information systems development (ISD) projects is both complex and problematic due to the type of outsourcing arrangement, the nature of the work that is outsourced, and the relationship between the vendor and client. Moreover, outsourced projects are conducted in an unstructured environment with divergent organizational expectations. Existing project management techniques and methodologies may not be sufficient to resolve such complexity, and project management needs to encompass knowledge-based aspects of management. Knowledge-based practices (KBPs) are directed to exploring, understanding and making sense of complex situations, sharing that understanding and using that understanding to inform actions to resolve that complexity. These KBPs need to be explicitly included in an expanded repertoire of project management techniques. In this paper we explore how KBPs facilitate the conduct execution of an outsourced ISD projects through a case study in a large Australian federal government department. Our study shows how KBPs operationalize and formalise a knowledge-based approach to project management for the successful delivery and management of outsourced projects. Significantly our study shows that KBPs are not only used within the project boundary but are also applied outside of the project boundaries boundary to address project complexity at a broader, strategic organisational level

Job ready or future-ready? The role of IS research in PG IS curriculum

Research on IS curriculum focus on how IS curriculum objectives are consistent with what ICT/IS employers’ demand. Emerging IS trends are the motivation for research on updating IS curriculum. Of particular concern is that most scholarship on IS curriculum is focused on undergraduate studies, with little literature on post-graduate curriculum. There is a gap in the current literature that trending research issues, as articulated in IS journals, have not been explicitly linked to the development of IS curriculum. Consequently, how the AIS/ACM curriculum models reflect current IS research issues has not been explicitly investigated. We would argue that the link between research and curriculum is particularly relevant to post-graduate studies. We conducted a review of recently published papers in the IS basket of eight journals and listed key subject terms that emerged from our review and compare the subject terms with the IS competency realm proposed in IS2020

From Doing to Thinking in Meteorological Forecasting: Changing Work Practice Paradigms with Knowledge Management

This research aims to improve meteorological decision making through the application of knowledge manage- ment to the forecasting process. The aim of the research is not to solve the problems of forecasting but to provide appropriate support to enable forecasters to spend more time reflecting on the meteorological situation. To this end, we are engaged in change of the IT paradigm in this problem domain from the one based on scientific normative models to intelligent support. This change of paradigm allows forecasters not only perform the task but also to consistently share knowledge and learn from their collective experience. The paper also presents a system that allows diverse technologies to be employed in providing decision support for meteorological forecasting

Older Women Online: Engaged, Active and Independent

Older women in our communities are becoming marginalised through their lack of technical awareness and capability. Digital applications now dominate the way governments, business, communities and even families interact with all of us. As respected elders of our society, women not only need access to services which support their wellbeing as they age, but also have an important role to play in passing on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. Thorough digital exclusion, older women often relied on others, particularly their spouses, to transact online activities. As they become carers for their ageing spouse or are widowed, they need to learn to do this for themselves. Our research shows that they can learn digital skills, and this is leading to greater independence and social wellbeing. Everyone benefits as our women elders become digitally included

Characterizing Knowledge Work: A Theoretical Perspective

The new economy, which has emerged in the last two decades, is critically dependent on the capacity to generate, process and efficiently apply knowledge. Yet, with notable exceptions, knowledge work has not been seriously addressed in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to understand the internal characteristics of knowledge work. Our analysis is concerned with the concept and nature of knowledge work rather than the philosophical questions that underlie it. We interpret knowledge work is as work that is based on a body of knowledge, usually entails working on representations of the objects of work, stipulates typically a deep understanding of the objects of work, and the outputs of which entail knowledge as its essential ingredient. These elements are used in characterise knowledge work. The paper also discusses how this analysis contributes to the development of a theoretical model of knowledge wor

The role of partner diversity in collaborative knowledge creation –A study in the Victorian biotechnology industry

There is increasing research on the knowledge networks as sources to acquire and access knowledge. While this literature mainly has focused on the contribution of the network structure characteristics, existing reviews show the current literature has produced seemingly contradictory results and a growing body of research highlights the need for contingency approaches. Based on a thorough literature review, this research focused on partner diversity as one of the contingencies; this has also been considered as a measure for the knowledge exploration process. Hence two hypotheses were formulated and tested by studying the patent co-authorship networks of biotechnology firms in Victoria, Australia. Using social network analysis and moderated multiple regressions, our research positively confirmed the relationship between knowledge processes and network structure. Also based on the interaction analysis, two interesting inter-relations are discussed. Finally the implications of the findings and the potential to contribute to understanding prior contradictory results are discussed

The Sensible Organization: A New Agenda for IS Research

IS research and practice does not adequately address modern organizational forms of flatter hierarchies; decentralized decision-making, greater capacity for tolerance of ambiguity, permeable internal and external boundaries, capacity for renewal, self-organizing units, self-integrating coordination mechanisms and continual change. The important challenge for IS is to determine what sort of organizational forms, structures and systems are most appropriate to meet the demands of the current and foreseeable environment. We argue that this challenge can be met through a new agenda for IS based on the concept of the ‘sensible organization’. Our argument is grounded in evidence drawn from the findings of a number of our empirical studies. We conclude that the new agenda for IS needs to targets the agile, social and networked organization, in the context of its chaotic, complex environment, in order to support knowledge work practices that integrate thinking and doing

The role of diverse knowledge in creating knowledge within industry networks ¬¬–A study in the Victorian biotechnology industry

Inter-organizational knowledge networks have been considered vital for the knowledge economy, particularly for small and medium size enterprises in knowledge-based industries, since creating knowledge often happens within those networks. Hence an interesting question to explore is how do knowledge networks serve to contribute to knowledge creation? Beyond the role of network structure, which has dominated the knowledge network literature, our research highlights the need for the consideration of other factors like knowledge content. First by reviewing the literature, we propose a hypothesis that predicted positive association of content and knowledge creation. Then, focusing on patent co-authorship networks of the biotechnology industry in Victoria, this research used an explanatory multiple case study approach to test the formulated hypothesis. By introducing new emergent constructs, the results provide more insight on the positive association of knowledge content and knowledge creation. Based on the emergent constructs, rival hypotheses are also developed for further research

Knowledge Management: The Cultural Context for Enabling Technology

The purpose of the panel discussion is to share and discuss findings of the panellist’s’ research into knowledge management and their understanding of the cultural and human factors that support effective implementation of technology. The panel will comprise presentations and discussion on the cultural imperatives and implications of knowledge management, including: preparing the cultural context, designing and implementing supporting tools and making interventions and changes after implementation

A Task-based Knowledge Management Case for Addressing Merger and Acquisition Risk

For some firms, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is part of a normal growth strategy in a competitive environment. Such firms accumulate a body of M&A knowledge that can be employed for the benefits of organisational continuity. Despite the significant risks associated with M&A failure, they are able to approach each new event with a set of experiential learnings that can better inform their actions. For other firms however, M&A represent rare occasions in the company’s lifecycle. Valuable integration knowledge is inherently fragmented, making these firms especially vulnerable to M&A risks. A case study was undertaken in a firm that matches this latter category. A Task-based Knowledge Management approach provided a framework for inquiry. Our focus was on knowledge work associated with the post-acquisition integration task of an acquirer. The findings reveal substantial M&A learnings, which if harnessed adequately, can enhance firm’s competitive advantage and mitigate against associated M&A risk