Knowledge Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Knowledge Management - Essay Example Thus, contemporary KM theories can roughly be classified into three major categories: 1. Technology-focused: primary focus on the enhancement of technologies that facilitate sharing/growth of knowledge. 2. Organisational: designing and reshaping the organisational environment in a way to facilitate knowledge processes. 3. Ecological: focus on the interaction process within the organisational environment involving people, knowledge and environmental factors (Gordon & Edge, 1997). A similar categorisation of the KM approaches is suggested in perhaps the only formal taxonomy of KM up to date. Michael Earl (2001) based his research on comprehensive empirical data to identify three major schools of KM: Technocratic: emphasis on information or technologies of KM. Economic: knowledge should be managed similarly to other assets (e.g. stock, bonds, etc). Behavioural: focus on knowledge exchange as a fundamentally social process (p. 224). However, modern models and theories of models are often difficult to fit in this taxonomy due to their integrative nature which encompasses elements of each school. The below overview provides some key concepts and theories associated with effective KM system. Main Body One popular KM approach widely used these days is a so-called 'pragmatic management'. Though it is not classified in the Earl's classical taxonomy pragmatic management is recently becoming increasingly popular, especially in the small to middle organisations. This approach seems rather close to Earl's behavioural paradigm that views knowledge management and knowledge exchange as fundamentally social processes. The main difference of this paradigm lies in the fact that it doesn't imply serious investments in the employees and their all-round... this paper describes the basic idea of knowledge management which is universal – doing what is needed to get the most out of knowledge resources – its practical implementation may vary in each particular case. The variations are not too serious and mostly concern the share of attention paid to either technological or human aspect of KM while the key principles remain similar in the modern models of KM: explicit and tacit knowledge, interactive nature of KM processes, increased attention cognitive and motivational aspects of KM. Therefore, the differences in KM systems implemented are mostly associated with different organizational structures and demands of the companies. Although the challenges related to designing/implementation of effective KM strategy are serious the practice continues to demonstrate that they are not compelling. The most essential of these challenges are identified in the professional literature as well as the alternative ways and tools to cope with them. Tu sum up this paper approves that the major factors contributing to the failures of knowledge management strategies are highly changeable global environment, coupled with failure to take a holistic approach to designing the system of knowledge management, and substantial resources required to design and implement a truly effective KM programme. Evidently, the first of these drawbacks has received better recognitions from the theorists whom develop KM models, programmes, and strategies for modern organisations.

Applying the Hot Stove Rule of Discipline in the Workplace Essay

Applying the Hot Stove Rule of Discipline in the Workplace "Spare the rod and spoil the child". This is the moral to Aesop's fable The Thief and his Mother. He proves that discipline is imperative. It emphasizes that if we do not take action in our children's wrong doings we will hurt them in the longer run. Children need discipline in their lives. It is their only way of learning the difference between right and wrong. As parents, it is our duty to mold our children in the right direction. The rewards of implementing discipline are endless, for knowing that they will make the right decision even when you are not there is comforting, and it pleases you. Discipline is fair, and open disciplinary procedures are essential to maintain harmony. Therefore, discipline is an important action taken to encourage compliance with organizational standards and regulations; whether in the home or at the work place. A popular and effective disciplinary rule used today by many managers is known as the "Hot Stove Rule of Discipline." This rule can be defined as the concept that disciplinary action should have the same characteristics as the penalty a person receives from touching a hot stove; that is, the discipline should be immediate, consistent, and impersonal (Gardner 1). Before any disciplinary action can be implemented, a manager must first give advanced warning. Employees must be informed clearly that certain actions will result in disciplinary actions. This is a very important step. It is not the employee's fault if he is not informed of the company's rules, ethics and standards. It is management's responsibility to educate and inform all employees. It is easier to accept discipline if the rules and standards are clearly stated befo... ...equence that follows a rule infraction. The hot stove provides warning. Disciplinary rules should inform employees of the consequences of breaking the rules. A hot stove is consistent in administering pain. In conclusion, a Hot Stove is a vital instrument in taking management action. It assists in encouraging compliance with organizational standards and regulations. The Hot Stove Rule of Discipline is effective and continues to prove efficiency. Bibliography Sixth Edition, Stephen Robbins and Mary Coulter. Upper Saddle River New Jersey, 1996. www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists-k-o/management-history/1998-02/0001.html http://business.clayton.edu/jbogert/mgmt3101/robbin20.txt http://www.siu.edu/departments/coe/ras1/474/discipline/sld001.htm http://www.acad.polyu.edu.hk/~mstpoon/discipli.htm http://ost.wc.edu/On-Line%20Courses/Hrpo2301/asgns/asgn11.htm

Extradition and Deportation Views of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia-Herzegovina, formally known as Yugoslavia, has been addressing many pressing issues; however, extradition and deportation has been gaining large amounts of attention from Bosnia-Herzegovina’s government. Bosnia-Herzegovina’s government consists of a tripartite presidency which is divided mainly between Croatian, Serb, and Bosnian political parties. During World War II, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia resisted the Axis powers and were overrun. The attacking axis forces: Germany, Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, and related regimes, Croatia and Serbia partitioned off the land. Soon after the partitioning, a civil war sprang up between the Yugoslav Partisans and the royalist Chetnik Movement. Not only did this war take place, but there was also genocide committed against the local Serbs, Jews and Roma while Chetniks began to chase the Bosniak and Croat population to perform an ethnic cleansing. With much support given by the U. S. S. R and the United States of America, the Yugoslav Partisans gained more and more power over the opposing forces. Italy and all of the other commanding countries gave up their hold on the partioned land to Germany. After the city of Berlin was captured by allied forces, Germany surrendered and the once axis controlled countries were released to the allied forces. The Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia assumed control after World War II. â€Å"This, what you are doing, is not good. This is the path that you want to take Bosnia and Herzegovina on, the same highway of hell and death that Slovenia and Croatia went on. Don't think that you won't take Bosnia and Herzegovina into hell, and the Muslim people maybe into extinction. Because the Muslim people cannot defend themselves if there is war here. Radovan Karadzic, leader of the Serb Democratic Party, said this after hearing talks of Bosnia-Herzegovina separating and gaining its’ independence from Yugoslavia. From 1991-1992, ethnic lines were being honed in for the country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bosniak factions had high tension between them and the two smaller factions, Serbs and Croats. This situation caused the parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina to become fragmented and worthless. Croatia and Yugoslavia signed an armistice while being supervised by the United Nations. The Serb and Croat powers continued to negotiate over the partitioning of Bosnia-Herzegovina. While talks to keep Bosnia a part of Yugoslavia or totally succeeding continued, no agreement was reached. When the referendum had taken place to decide Bosnia-Herzegovina’s independence, an estimated 64-67% to 98% of the votes were for independence. Shortly after Bosnia-Herzegovina gained its’ independence the Bosnian War began. Post the 1992-1995 Bosnian War, there were many Islamic fighters left in Bosnia-Herzegovina which sided with Bosnians during the war. After nearly 15 years of trouble from these old allies, a harsh policy was unanimously accepted by both the Bosniaks, Bosnian Muslim politicians, and the population of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The population of Islamic fighters have become notorious for the fact that much crime and influence of the young Muslim people. A movement known as the Wahhabi movement, run by a fundamentalist group of Islam prevalent in Saudi Arabia, is continuing to grow more and more from help by these Islamic fighters. The Bosnian Islamic Community banned the Wahhabi movement in 1993 which took place during the war when moderate Muslims were being recruited by foreign fighters for their cause. Since the U. S. – led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, Bosnia has seen a wide spread popularity in the Wahhabi movement. The Bosnian Islamic Community has done nothing since the ban in 1993; although, when the Wahhabis began attempting to take control of the Islamic Community’s administrative units and Mosques, the Muslim leaders were made to react. Mustafa Ceric, the grand mufti of Bosnia, began to take a message on a journey to many capitals of the world. This message entailed that the main leaders and financiers of the Bosnian Wahhabi movement were housed in Western Europe, mainly Austria. Ceric decried that action be taken by world leaders to insure that the radical Islamic groups did not populate Bosnia. This matter has been put off for some time because any attempt against this movement may sacrifice votes for politicians from the Bosniak nationalist vote. In 2006, pressure was put on the Bosnian government in which a commission was formed to review how nearly 1,500 people gained Bosnian citizenship, almost all fighters from different Muslim countries. Deportations were ordered for commencement shortly after. â€Å"Anyone should see that you sell this country piece by piece, Muslim by Muslim; you betray everything that can be betrayed †¦And be aware that Allah has the power and that you will face Him and answer for the betrayal of Islam and Muslims. † After the deportations were nearly in full-swing, a man only identified as Hattab27 said the aforementioned quote in a posted threat on you tube against Sulejman Tihic, Haris Silajdzic, and Grand Mufti. This threat entailed that if extradition and deportation were made against these brothers of the country, that a video would be released to destroy the three presidents politically. Due to the possibility of ill treatment of the deportees in their home country they could not be deported. Only two people were deported to their home countries, both last year. Bosnia-Herzegovina feels that strict deportation and extradition laws should be put in effect immediately. These laws would call for the immediate extradition of a person who has committed or who has been associated with a crime. If the said person cannot be extradited for being associated with a crime, then immediate deportation should take place. These crimes would be interpreted by the International Criminal Courts, if this court system cannot perform these duties for what ever reason then a new sub-committee should be erected to act upon these hearings. This court would be United Nations funded and any country that wishes to devote money to this cause is welcome. Although crimes vary from country to country, there should be a summit and amendment created. The amendment would compile a list of laws and regulations for extradition and deportation and the summits will be used to educate countries about the aforementioned amendment. If a country wishes to abide by the amendment then the laws and regulations will take effect immediately.

Cross-Cultural Ministry Analysis Free Essay Example, 2500 words

This shows that the international relations’ development and the domestic politics significantly determine the degree of Gospel spread in China. Cultural Factors Most Christian missionaries, in their enthusiasm to perfect evangelization, have failed to acquire a deeper understanding of the diverse degrees of the Gospel’s living dynamics. As a result, they have been insensitive to the cultural and social barriers of the Chinese to the Gospel. Most of these missionaries have knowingly or unknowingly had the sense of their cultural superiority, typified by despise for Chinese culture; Chinese also consider their culture superior. This has blinded most missionaries from viewing the Chinese in the intricacy of their social and cultural modes of existence, making evangelism a problem. Balcombe (p. 28) comments that most missionaries have in the past and at present not understood the intricacy of the families and community organizations in China, and the implications for Gospel spread and growth of the church. Blurred by their Western notion of individuality and family, which they have carried with them, yet isolating the Chinese concept of â€Å"compound† living, they continue to persist in their Western outlook; associated to this are the filial piety and the ancestral veneration in the Chinese family. We will write a custom essay sample on Cross-Cultural Ministry Analysis or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Most evangelists have failed to appreciate the social dimensions of filial piety and the ancestral veneration about economic security, paternal authority, and family loyalty, instead they denounce it as idolatrous and demonic. In broader terms, due to cross-cultural differences, missionaries have failed to formulate ways in which the structure of the Chinese family can turn into a vehicle to salvation. Missiological Factors The Christian message delivered to the Chinese, particularly in the past, was/is very individualistic; Chinese culture does not recommend individualistic character. It may be right to emphasize on individual commitment to Christ, and while churches and missions have done a commendable social relief work, the transformation mostly focuses on the individual. Elmer (p. 297) asserts that Chinese evangelists and pastors have unfortunately continued in this way of thinking. This simply implies that despite the substantial missionary presence in China, Christianity contributes negligibly to the transformation of the people of China. Most still deem Christianity an â€Å"alien religion. † This brings out the question of how Christianity entails relaying and understood to the requirement of the Chinese people as a country.