Knowledge creation can be termed as updating knowledge based on progressive experiences in a distinct discipline and then making use of the fresh knowledge together with the already existing knowledge in order to formulate improved knowledge for sharing. Organizations are increasingly embracing this practice so as to upgrade their managerial and programme systems in order to maximize on opportunities, be uniquely dynamic and realize their goals and objectives. Concern Worldwide is one such organization that works with the poorest nations in the world so as to change lives for the better. It’s involved in creating and sharing knowledge which see it meet its overall goal in the long run. At Concern, the organizational context can affect knowledge management in a few ways.
The traditional attributes of the organization such as supervision, transformation, employee engagement, customer service, willingness to change, combined action of all stakeholders, trust and reward have an effect in knowledge sharing and management within the context of the Concern Worldwide organization. Organizational structure can therefore be an influential factor in knowledge management which is critical in establishing tactical organizational tools. If the company’s cultural organizational contexts are implemented together with the various aspects of knowledge management in an effective and sufficient manner, then most programmes and projects are successfully achieved.
The organization has internal resources and capabilities and this encompasses its core competitive advantages and competencies. Resources can be tangible or non-tangible. Tangible resources include equipments, reporting structures and the non-tangible ones include aspects like the organization’s reputation, organizational structure, potential and knowledge. The concept of an organization’s internal resources and capabilities measure up the organization’s strengths and weaknesses and its capability to carry out the various tasks and implement them effectively. Concern Worldwide employs capacity building to achieve its goal. This is achieved by combining its project knowledge with local information and knowledge and sharing this knowledge with local partners. Though Concern know that there are some risks and costs involved in using capacity building technique, it also acknowledges that the merits of employing capacity building are far many than the risks. Through capacity building, Concern engages the target groups to enhance their skill development so that they can sustainably continue engaging in their developments. The groups are therefore strengthened to carry on with the various developments so as to realize the long-term goal of the organization.
Since Concern works in many different countries with different systems of government, it has to team up with authorized local partners and local development organizations to carry out its programmes. Once it finds the suitable local representatives/partners, they reach an agreement on the terms of co-operation and how they can work together to reach a mutual goal. This process is quite time consuming and resource intensive and entails elements of trust and clear communication between the two parties. Once a deal is struck, they focus on how they can reciprocate knowledge through learning and complement each other. This way, knowledge is transferred to local partners through capacity building. It is worth noting that social capital is significant to the management of knowledge relating to the organization’s projects. Just as financial capital is important, social capital helps create trust, networks and social ethics. This assists in sustaining and enhancing the organization’s innovation and hence helps in retaining the competitive advantage. This ultimately leads to economic development, improved performance of the organization and gradual attainment of set goals.
Knowledge is shared with other partners and stakeholders through a number of ways. Some of the approaches used for knowledge sharing include training where people’s skilled are enhanced and knowledge on various developments increased; Mentoring/advising where they are trained and advised on rightful ways of handling various issues; Exposure visits where they get to learn from other communities about certain activities; discussions among peers so as to get to know similar issues that may be affecting them; and networking where they get to meet and interact with various people from different fields with same interest. Creation and sharing of knowledge helps in the organization performance through increased operating performance, attained goals like reduction in poverty, health concerns etc. There are however some factors that affects knowledge management. Difficulties arise to develop consistent routines that fully utilize knowledge sharing when the content and concept of projects changes. This can be caused by change in personnel during the project cycle and differing cultures and backgrounds. This can be overcome by creating an autonomous team that can perform many tasks.
