KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT ONE Contribution: 50% of the module grade Hand in Date: Tuesday 4th May 2010 before 4.00pm Word Limit: Between 2,000 and 2,500 words long including references. ASSESSMENT CONTENT: An essay or short paper in which you should:- Research the issue of tacit knowledge, and apply what you learn a) to your own life b) to a case in one organisation. The essay should be PRINTED DOUBLE-SIDED. The contents of the essay should be a discussion of (and the following numbered phrases may be used as headings): §1. Theory about tacit knowledge. Here read what others have written about tacit knowledge in books and journal papers, summarise it in your own words. You may use material from the module, but should search for and add other material, such as finding out in more detail or reading other authors. (500-1000 words) §2. Examples of tacit knowledge in everyday life. Reflect on your own life, at work or elsewhere, to find knowledge that you personally hold tacitly, and discuss to what extent these examples fit the theory that you discussed in §1. I expect two parts to this: » Describe and explain the tacit knowledge you hold. » Discuss how, and to what extent, that tacit knowledge fits some of the theory you discussed in §1. (300-400 words) §3. Tacit knowledge in the organisation. Here choose one specific organisation and discuss what tacit knowledge the organisation holds and how it fits the theory above. The organisation you choose could be a business or public or voluntary organisation which is discussed by others, in which case you should access literature about it, especially on the Internet. It could be some part of the University of Salford, in which case you might discuss it with those who belong to the organisation. It could even be a family, such as your own, in which case you should interview your family members to find out their tacit knowledge. I expect three parts to this: » Describe the organisation » Describe and explain the tacit knowledge and in what way it is tacit » Discuss how, and to what extent, this organisational tacit knowledge fits the theory that you discussed in (1). (400-500 words) §4. Those not holding the tacit knowledge. Explain who in the organisation do not hold this tacit knowledge, and discuss how they take advantage of it (300-400 words) §5. Conclusion (100-200 words) §6. References, as needed. Total: 2000-2500 words. Notes: You MUST refer to appropriate sources for writing §2 above. Consult the MSc Citation Guide, and also refer to "http://www.basden.salford.ac.uk/cources/referencing.txt" ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: Your work will be assessed using the following criteria, but in addition, extra marks will be given for PRINTING DOUBLE-SIDED. Specifically, the following criteria will be applied to the items above, The proportion of marks per section is given, but might vary if, for example, a student makes an exceptionally good entry in one item. §1. Theory about tacit knowledge. approx 30-40 marks » Understanding of tacit knowledge » Understanding of what others have theorized or believed about tacit knowledge » Quality of summary (understandable, succinct, but deep) » Critical attitude (questioning whether each theory or belief is valid and giving good reasons why questioning it). §2. Examples of tacit knowledge in everyday life. 15-20 marks » Showing practical understanding of what tacit knowledge is » Showing ability to apply this understanding » Quality of examples (appropriateness, imaginativeness) » Quantity of examples (about 3-6 examples would be ideal, depending on how much you say about each) » Showing ability at self-critique §3. Tacit knowledge in the organisation. 15-20 marks » Showing practical understanding of what tacit knowledge is in organisations » Showing ability to apply this understanding to an organisation » Quality of examples (appropriateness, understanding) » Showing ability to research an organisation §4. Those not holding the tacit knowledge. 15-20 marks » Understanding of the effects of not sharing the tacit knowledge that others have » Ability to criticise the assumptions found in an organisation §5. Conclusion approx 10 marks » Ability to understand and express how all the above links together » Understanding of how this is important in the wider world. §6. References, as needed. 5 marks » Quality of references (more marks for references from journals not used by other students) For Printing Double-Sided: 2 extra marks. Andrew Basden. 18 February 2010.