Knowledge Audit in Project-based Organizations: toward a Conceptual Framework

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Kharazmi University

2 Tarbiat Modares university

Abstract

INTRUDUCTION: Knowledge audit can be considered as an important step in knowledge management that plays a crucial role in agility and effectiveness of the knowledge repository of organizations. Various models and methodologies have been proposed for performing the knowledge audit. A precise study and comprehensive review of existing methodologies and models would provide valuable knowledge for the experts and practitioners of the knowledge management. This research aimed to explore existing models and methodologies for knowledge audit in order to select and/or design an appropriate model for knowledge audit based on the requirements and priorities faced by project-based organizations.

METHODOLOGY: This research can be grouped as an applied research which utilized the documentary study method in order to perform a comparative study and investigate the existing models and methodologies associated with the knowledge audit.

FINDINGS: Although there is a diverse range of models and methodologies for knowledge audit, their nature is static; and almost, not entirely detailed. Thus, their practical application in different industrial environments lacks the required flexibility and agility.

CONCLUSIONS: With respect to the need for knowledge audit implementation in project-based organizations and considering the fact that there is an inconsistency between the existing models and specific characteristics of the organizations of this kind, it can be deduced that an appropriate and practical model for knowledge auditing in project-based organizations should be developed based on the requirements and characteristics of project-based organizations, knowledge taxonomy and audit factors.

Keywords


محمدی، لیلا (1391). ممیزی دانش پژوهشگاه علوم و فناوری اطلاعات ایران. پایان نامه کارشناسی ارشد، دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی، دانشکده علوم تربیتی و روانشناسی، گروه علوم کتابداری و اطلاع‌رسانی.
 
Abdul Rahman, A., & Shukor, N. S. A. (2011). Knowledge audit process - tales of two organizations (pp. 1–5). IEEE. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1109/ICRIIS.2011.6125737, Accessed: 94.10.01.
Ajmal, mian M. (2009). managing knowledge in project- based organization: a cultural perspective. Acta Wasaevisa. Retrieved from http://www.uva.fi/materiaali/pdf/isbn_978-952-476-278-6.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.22.
Antonova, A., & Gourova, E. (n.d.). Business patterns for knowledge audit implementation within SME, 18, Retrieved from http://ceur-ws.org/Vol-566/C2_KnowledgeAudit.pdf Accessed: 94.06.21.
Burnett, S., Illingworth, L., & Webster, L. (2004). Knowledge auditing and mapping: a pragmatic approach. Knowledge and Process Management, 11(1), 25–37. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1002/kpm.194, Accessed: 95.02.26.
Che Pa, N., Taheri, L., & Abdullah, R. (2012). A survey on approaches in knowledge audit in organizations. Asian Transactions on Computers, 2(5), 8, Retrieved from http://www.asian-transactions.org/Journals/Vol02Issue05/ATC/ATC-30229351.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.16.
Cheung, C. F., Li, M. L., Shek, W. Y., Lee, W. B., & Tsang, T. S. (2007). A systematic approach for knowledge auditing: a case study in transportation sector. Journal of Knowledge Management, 11(4), 140–158. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1108/13673270710762774, Accessed: 94.12.23.
Choy, S. Y., Cheung, C. F. & Lee, W. B. (2004). A Systematic Approach for Knowledge Audit Analysis: Integration of Knowledge Inventory, Mapping and Knowledge Flow Analysis. JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science, (6). Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.3217/jucs-010-06-0674, Accessed: 94.06.22.
Daghfous, A., Ahmad, N., & Angell, L. C. (2013). The KCRM knowledge audit: model and case illustration. VINE, 43(2), 185–209. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1108/03055721311329954, Accessed: 94.06.29.
Dattero, R., Galup, S. D., & Quan, J. “Jim.” (2007). The knowledge audit: Meta-Matrix analysis. Knowledge Management Research & Practice, 5(3), 213–221. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.kmrp.8500142, Accessed: 94.11.10.
Debenham, J., & Clark, J. (1994). The knowledge audit. Robotics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing Journal, 11(3), pp. 201– 211, Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0736584594900353, Accessed: 94.10.23.
Digan, G. (2015). Exploring the Impact that Organisational Culture and Structures have on Knowledge Management Initiatives. Dublin Institute of Technology, Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Technology for the degree of M.Sc. in Computing (Knowledge management), Retrieved from http://arrow.dit.ie/scschcomdis/67, Accessed: 94.06.21.
Dow, R. M., Pallaschke, S., Merri, M., Montagnon, E., Schabe, M., Belingheri, M., & Bucher, M. (2008). Overview of the knowledge management system in ESA/ESOC. Acta Astronautica, 63(1-4), 448–457. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2007.12.048, Accessed: 94.10.03.
Du Toit, A. S. A. (2014). Conducting a knowledge audit at a South African retail bank. Acta Commercii, 14(1). Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.4102/ac.v14i1.212, Accessed: 94.06.23.
Drus, S. M., & Shariff, S. S. (2011). Analysis of Knowledge Audit Models via Life Cycle Approach (Vol. 16, pp. p. 176–180). Presented at the 2011 International Conference on Information Communication and Management, Singapore: IPCSIT. Retrieved from http://www.ipcsit.com/vol16/33-ICICM2011M2008.pdf, Accessed: 95.04.01
Fai, C. C., Chin, K. K., Fu, C. K., & Bun, L. W. (2005). Systematic Knowledge Auditing With Applications. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice. Retrieved from http://www.tlainc.com/articl97.htm, Accessed: 95.03.08
Ganasan, A., & Dominic P, D. D. (2011). Knowledge audit made comprehensive thru 6 stages (pp. 1–6). IEEE. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1109/ICRIIS.2011.6125730, Accessed: 94.07.28.
Gourova, E., Antonova, A., & Todorova, Y. (2009). Knowledge audit concepts, processes and practice. WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, Retrieved from http://www.wseas.us/e-library/transactions/economics/2009/89-116.pdf 6(12), 605– 619, Accessed: 94.06.21.
Gourova, E., Atanassova, P., & Todorova, Y. (2011). knowledge audit tools. Retrieved from http://www.hillside.net/europlop/europlop2011/submission/shepherd.cgi?token=660665c6e0ade61f363ed924a0f9fdb828b5bf47&action=download&label=1309772928_37, Accessed: 95.04.14.
Gourova, E., Toteva, K., & Todorova, Y. (2012). Audit of knowledge flows and critical business processes (pp. 1–10). ACM Press. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1145/2602928.2603077, Accessed: 94.08.10.
Henczel, S. (2000). The information audit as a first step towards effective knowledge management: an opportunity for the special librarian, INSPEL, No 34, 3/4, pp. 210-226
Hylton, A. (2002). A KM initiative is unlikely to succeed without a knowledge audit. KnowledgeBoard. Com, 19. Retrieved from http://doi.org/http://www.providersedge.com/docs/km_articles/km_initiative_unlikely_to_succeed_without_a_k_audit.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.27.
Jafari, A., & Payani, N. (2013). A systematic approach for knowledge auditing. African Journal of Business Management, 7(32), 3159–3167. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM11.819, Accessed: 95.11.03.urinjak, I., & Kliček, B. (2008). Designing a method for knowledge audit in small and medium information technology firms (pp. 415– 422). Presented at the Central European Conference on Information & Intelligent Systems. Retrieved from http://www.ceciis.foi.hr/app/index.php/ceciis/2008/paper/view/104/47
Kumar, A. (2013). Knowledge Audit: Its Learning Lessons. SSRN Electronic Journal. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2319723, Accessed: 94.11.18.
Lee, W. B., Shek, V., & Cheung, B. (2007). Auditing and Mapping the Knowledge Assets of Business Processes – An Empirical Study. In Z. Zhang & J. Siekmann (Eds.), Knowledge Science, Engineering and Management (Vol. 4798, pp. 11–16). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-540-76719-0_4, Accessed: 94.08.27.
Levantakis, T., Helms, R., & Spruit, M. (2008). Developing a Reference Method for Knowledge Auditing. In T. Yamaguchi (Ed.), Practical Aspects of Knowledge Management (Vol. 5345, pp. 147–159). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-540-89447-6_15, Accessed:94.06.29.
Liebowitz, J. (2005). Linking social network analysis with the analytic hierarchy process for knowledge mapping in organizations. Journal of Knowledge Management, 9(1), 76–86. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1108/13673270510582974, Accessed: 95.04.08.
Liebowitz, J., Rubenstein-Montano, B., McCaw, D., Buchwalter, J., Browning, C., Newman, B., & Rebeck, K. (2000). The knowledge audit. Knowledge and Process Management, 7(1), 3–10. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1441(200001/03)7:1<3::AID-KPM72>3.0.CO;2-0, Accessed: 94.10.19.
Micu, M. (2009). A knowledge audit at Concordia university libraries. McGill University. Retrieved from https://library.concordia.ca/about/staff/forum/micu_presentation09.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.22.
Perez-Soltero, A., Barcelo-Valenzuela, M., Sanchez-Schmitz, G., Martin-Rubio, F., Palma-Mendez, J. T., & Vanti, A. A. (2007). A model and methodology to knowledge auditing considering core processes. ICFAI Journal of Knowledge Management, 5(1), 7– 23, Retrieved from http://aperez.mx/Knowledge_Audit_ICFAI2007.pdf Accessed: 94.06.21.
Pietrantonio, R. (2006). proposal of a knowledge audit metric based upon a compared analysis in private and public organizations. Federico II university of Naples, thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of P.h.D. in managerial engineering. Retrieved from http://www.fedoa.unina.it/721/1/Dottorato_Pietrantonio.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.21.
Schimmel, H. (n.d.). The use of a knowledge audit in educational organizations: constructing a questionnaire, Retrieved from http://www.hermanschimmel.nl/Publications/The%20use%20of%20a%20knowledge%20audit%20in%20educational%20organizations,.pdf, Accessed: 94.06.29.Serrat, O. (2009). Learning Lessons with Knowledge Audits. Knowledge Solutions, (51), 14. Retrieved from http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/27606/learning-lessons-knowledge-audits.pdf, Accessed: 95.04.10.
Sharma, R., & Chowdhury, N. (2007). On The Use Of A Diagnostic Tool For Knowledge Audits. Journal of Knowledge Management Practice, 8(4). Retrieved from http://www.tlainc.com/articl145.htm, Accessed: 94.12.04.
Suo, B., Wang, J., & Zhang, H. (2009). Primarily Research on Knowledge Audit for Evaluating Enterprise Knowledge Management Capability (pp. 1–5). IEEE. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1109/ICMSS.2009.5302226, Accessed: 94.09.26.
Sveiby, K. E. (2010). Methods for measuring intangible assets, available at: www.sveiby.com/articles/IntangibleMethods.htm, Accessed: 94.08.10.
Tiwana, A. (1999). The Knowledge Management Toolkit, Prentice Hall. available at: http://sgpwe.izt.uam.mx/files/users/uami/dml/Tiwana_Amrit_1999_Knowledge_Management_Toolkit1.pdf, Accessed: 94.08.24.
Wang, J., & Xiao, J. (2009). Knowledge management audit framework and methodology based on processes. Journal of Technology Management in China, 4(3), 239–249. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1108/17468770911013546, Accessed: 94.06.28.
Wu, Y.-L., & Li, Y.-H. (2008). Research on the Model of Knowledge Audit (pp. 1–4). IEEE. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1109/WiCom.2008.2667, Accessed: 94.06.28.
Yip, J. Y. T., Lee, R. W. B., & Tsui, E. (2015). Examining knowledge audit for structured and unstructured business processes: a comparative study in two Hong Kong companies. Journal of Knowledge Management, 19(3), 514–529. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-10-2014-0420, Accessed: 94.12.10.
CAPTCHA Image