TEAM KNOWLEDGE

DRAFTS

You have to search for knowledge where it is generated. Make it your own by learning systematically doing this is required.
Society has to ready for the new knowledge for new situations. As the environment around is changing fast and technology will be a great enabler to help one anticipate the changes and be prepared for it so that it does not take one by surprise.
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Enhancement of Human competencies
Through Learning
Which will result in a culture shift
These three are the intangible assets.
Human learning is the fundamental thing for any progressive activity. There is routine work, where there was no change called for. (RUSTON) Learning was there too required but it was not pronounced so much. By routinely doing the same thing over and over again the operators learnt everything
Now with all around change in the technologies and the customer demand awareness about the emerging changes is; required it is lacking. This requires learning, which will produce knowledge. A collective action is required
Individual to group, to organization to community is the route of knowledge. In depth learning is needed and the surface learning has to come to an end. Generation, storing, distribution and application of knowledge is needed Learning by observation and imitation was enough sometime back not now.
TACIT KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge gained by imitation and observation only. It is incommunicable. By participation and discussions one has to make it explicit and communicable then only it can be shared scrutinized .All concepts have the super-ordinate, coordinate and subordinate hierarchical levels. Coordinates have independent meaning knowledge of which is required to understand the super-
Culture hinders or accelerates progress. A new leadership is called for to accept new concepts.
NEW LEARNINGS
There are many ways in which one acquires knowledge and skills. These ensure that the competencies of the team members working with you are, acquired, enhanced, enriched, and updated.
In the present day organizations one values the competencies of the human resource most, since it contributes to the generation of wealth and prosperity.
It will be relevant therefore to have a quick look at how are the learning acquired, at all and what are the changes now involved.
The product of learning is knowledge. The enlightened management acquires talent and resorts to the development of the talent with them. The acquisition of talent and its development is of prime importance.
I would; hate to throw some incomprehensible word but just one to convey the meaning and the one which will be talked about more and more now in the management lingo.
Epistemology: Knowledge, when gained through a proper methodology and scientific enquiry in the subject proper is epistemologically gained knowledge. This knowledge is available g through various scientific papers, relevant books on the subject/.
When it has to be applied to the
Individuals learn by three distinct methods, Behavioral,
Social
Cognitive: In the skill learning one acquires through a behavioral mode, here one explains, demonstrates, and follows up till the skill is imparted. Say the trade of a welder is acquired in a polytechnic, through this process.
In Social learning one gets through experience. An experiential learning. The bricklayer, carpenter etc learn their skills by observing and imitating the memory stores the episodes of learnings and draws on this when a new situation arises. The bricklayer draws on this Knowledge gained through episodes. Now prepositional learning is required which requires knowledge proficiency text is required to learn it.
Cognitive learning now one understands concepts absorbs them well. But the application of these will require some cerebration or brain activity and mental flexibility to deal with situations, which are not experienced before. You think and then respond. Think before you act.
Core component to grasp change is knowledge. This is why these days we talk about the knowledge society and knowledge worker. He cannot be just a robot etc
Social learning: By observation and imitation one learns, there is no conscious effort to learn. It just happens; e.g. carpentry. Learning is not by design
Behavioral learning: There is a coach he ensures proper responses and corrects where needed.
Cognitive learning: Where cerebration is needed.
All these types of learning are required in any organization and these interact. In some cases one dominates and the other is subdued.
CORPORATE MEMORY

Organizational Memory the sum total of the learning of the organization; is the corporate memory. Polanyi Michael 1891 to 1976. Tacit knowledge.
Process I used to watch the old timer watch repairer always pull the drawer spread the paper white one at the base and then start to the job of repairs the parts if all all-time ones when ever they would fall he was always ready to get them from the drawer. For every process there is a right method this has to be found and evolved over a period.
Akio Morita’s philosophy to make one’s own products obsolete is a good one to take the organization to the next levels of progress otherwise they will be doing the same thing like the 1979 Walkman.
Knowledge base is changing continuously Intel is always inventing new products to reach the new things to people who need and what they need. Responsiveness of the organization the threats and opportunities they have. All these are in the organizational memory
Communities of practices.
Organizations should now encolurage the process of generation of knowledge by ensuring that the practitioners meet often socially and professionally to enhance this knowledge base. They mix not only the basis of titles but knowledge an skills On account of the mutual trust they have as professionals they sound off their ideas .The mix can be of the same professional or some cross functional teams to encourage cross fertilization of ideas.
Or it can be informal or fromal. Tacit knowledge example can be the apprentice scheme where mentoring explicit is information and data, which is readily available to anyone.
When there is informatio0overlaod we require data mining services which are very much in vogue e.g. you want to find out if there is a correlation in the sale of certain shares and a relative of the director buying it or phone calls from a certain number very frequently when there is a bomb explosion. Etc.
In neuro-surgery there is a lot of knowledge gained and is stored as cases Dr.Ginde the neurosurgeon used to file away learning from each case. Documented learning is very useful. To diagnose from available data the causes and effects is very important. As against an intern directly learns it from the senior medical-practioner. Precedents based on past practices are sometimes wrong. They are flawed knowledge. Queen-bees in pharmaceutical companies. They may be in some remote lab still working with their test tubes. Creating of k new knowledge. This is facilitated by the technology Memory provides framework for the present draws on the past and prepares you for you taking on the future.
1982 In search of excellence. Tom Peters and Waterman. Best practices, lessons from American best-run firms.
1992 Michael Hammer and Champy Reengineering the corporation.
Ion marine engines being employed for fishing the advanced versions of 4500 rpm would shoo away the; fish, How to k make knowledge productive.
The skills; have changed very slowly e.g. carpentry or bricklaying welding but knowledge changes fast. The modern day CEO has to ensure that the rate of change has to be fast he has to monitor and lead the change and its acceleration.

By
M. S. RANADE
mranade@vsnl.com