Posted by Yogesh Malhotra on June 24, 1997 at 19:13:28:

In Reply to: Re: Tom Davenport on 'Pitfalls of Knowledge Management' posted by Michael Kran on June 22, 1997 at 23:08:13:

Michael,

Your note relates to some work that I am doing related to the
changing organization forms, organizational controls and how they
can affect organizational knowledge creation.

Relating to your notion of KM in hierarchy or networks, I think
networks of self-empowered individuals possessing knowledge are becoming
a key competitor of formal organizations. One example is that of
public accountants - individuals possessing specific expertise - who
have stopped working for major consulting firms [or they were 'let go'].
They have collaborated together to form their associations and the
customers are generated via referrals. The same holds about individuals
with similar interests and backgrounds who are aligned in the form of
informal networks via Internet... and all of us know of several examples
of such networks.

Furthermore, given that 'top' is more and more removed from the flux
that is occurring outside the organization, the various individuals at
the 'bottom' are being given the responsibility of being 'boundary spanners'
and the empowerment to make decisions on the spot.

"It is more efficient to handle complexity wherever and whenever
it first enters the organization -- whether during a sale, during delivery
or in production... efficient operations in the informated workplace
require a more equitable distribution of knowledge and authority..."

-- Zuboff, S. "The Emperor's New Workplace," Scientific American,
273(3), September 1995, pp. 202-204.

Also, see Tom Stewart's most recent Fortune column on managing knowledge
which relates to some such issues. It is available at:

• Why Dumb Things Happen to Smart Companies

Hence, in many such cases the endorsement from the top is to 'use your
best judgement under all conditions' [this is from the one line policy
manual of Nordstrom]. By loosening the control, the organizations are
attempting to gain flexibility and adaptability. And 'bottom' is often
leading many such enlightened organizations in this pursuit.

- Yogesh

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Follow Ups:

• Re: On Empowerment, Informal Networks, & Informated Workplace Shahzeb Ishtiaq 06:40:07 11/25/98 (0)

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