Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management

MULTIPLE CHOICE

     1.   The foundation which must be present before an organization can effectively conduct implementation is ____.

a.
knowledge
b.
financial resources
c.
structure
d.
equipment
e.
culture

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

     2.   Learning in the organization ____.

a.
is the conversion of data into information
b.
is the knowledge that can be written down
c.
comes for experience of the individual and is internal to that individual
d.
is the gathering and sharing of existing knowledge from internal or external sources
e.
is the ability to obtain data

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

     3.   Explicit knowledge is ____.

a.
the conversion of data into information
b.
knowledge that can be written down
c.
the experience of the individual that is internal to that individual
d.
the gathering and sharing of existing knowledge from internal or external sources
e.
the ability to obtain data

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

     4.   As the firm’s knowledge management capabilities shift from existing knowledge to new knowledge, the focus of the organization:

a.
moves toward risk minimization
b.
becomes more organization learning oriented
c.
shifts from content to process
d.
shifts from an external focus to an internal focus
e.
does not change

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

     5.   Organizational learning ____.

a.
is the conversion of data into information
b.
is knowledge that can be written down
c.
comes for experience of the individual and is internal to that individual
d.
is the acquisition of knowledge through the application and mastery of new information, tools and methods
e.
is the ability to obtain data

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

     6.   The type and the amount of learning that must take place for the firm to compete successfully depends upon:

a.
how much the organization needs to retrench its activities
b.
the organizational and technical complexity of the firm’s internal and external environments
c.
the knowledge acquisition strategy of the firm
d.
the ability of top management to guide employees’ actions
e.
how far behind the industry norm the firm is

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

     7.   The firm’s ability to learn:

a.
is a critical intangible resource for the firm’s long term success
b.
is tied to the firm’s ability to stay the strategic course it has mapped out
c.
is not as critical as its ability to acquire knowledge
d.
is based upon the firm’s tacit knowledge
e.
none of these choices

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

     8.   The greater organizational learning will occur when ____.

a.
there are fewer numbers and a smaller range of things to gather data on
b.
there are fewer number but a broader range of things to gather data on
c.
there are greater number but smaller range of things to gather data on
d.
there are a greater number and a broader range of things to gather data on
e.
the organization is small

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

     9.   The purpose of the scanning process is:

a.
to help the firm identify critical issues
b.
to identify what the firm needs to monitor in its environment
c.
to help the firm adjust its strategies if necessary
d.
to gather information about the firm’s competitive environment
e.
all of these choices are purposes for scanning

ANS:  E                    PTS:   1

   10.   Chester Carlson is associated with the innovation of ____.

a.
the laptop computer
b.
the photocopy machine
c.
the semiconductor
d.
the machine for MRIs
e.
RFID technology

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   11.   The transfer of meaning from one source to another is:

a.
information spreading
b.
communication
c.
knowledge acquisition
d.
learning
e.
scanning

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   12.   Information must not only be transmitted but must also be ____ for an organization to obtain its full benefits.

a.
written down
b.
available on the internet
c.
understood
d.
repeated
e.
supported by organizational leadership

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   13.   The type of learning an organization pursues should be based upon:

a.
the size of the organization
b.
the culture of the organization
c.
the strategic goals of the organization
d.
the background of the top management team
e.
the level of international diversification

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   14.   The characteristics of the communication processes in an organization where learning is taking place include all of the following except:

a.
Free exchange in, across, and between levels and functions within the organization
b.
Acknowledgement of the importance of formal networks and the lessening of the influence of informal networks
c.
Encouragement of free exchange by the leadership of the firm
d.
Continual transformation of the organization systems for the process off communication
e.
Support of a culture that encourages meaningful interaction and exchange

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   15.   Getting the right information at the right time to the right person to enhance decision making as well as providing time for people to work on their ideas are known as:

a.
enabling factors
b.
communication enhancers
c.
innovation enablers
d.
time utilization strategies
e.
time management functions

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

   16.   ____ learning is more common in innovative firms that develop technology internally.

a.
Interpretive
b.
Progressive
c.
Group
d.
Committee
e.
Kieratsu

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

   17.   The primary goal of systems learning is to:

a.
create new knowledge
b.
integrate systems in the organization
c.
reduce uncertainty
d.
identify acquisition targets
e.
implement Deming’s quality goals

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   18.   The interpretive approach to learning can be summarized by all of the following except it:

a.
reduces ambiguity
b.
distributes information in all directions
c.
develops creative insights through an iterative process using multiple viewpoints
d.
develops a clear set guidelines to interpret issues
e.
looks for new ways to apply known information

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

   19.   In deciding an approach to learning the organization should consider all of the following except:

a.
the nature of its information needs
b.
its primary goals
c.
the actions to take
d.
what the organization wants to learn
e.
which approach its competitors are using

ANS:  E                    PTS:   1

   20.   Organizations that are structured for learning are characterized by all of the following except ____.

a.
a hierarchical structure to allow clear flow of information
b.
processes that encourage boundary spanning
c.
internal network development
d.
reward systems that tied to team and system wide goals
e.
decision making based on shared and transferred knowledge

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

   21.   The systems-structure approach should result in:

a.
a rational approach to analyzing internal systems and structures
b.
a metric for identifying what firms are the strongest competitors
c.
understanding of the increasing uncertainty in the environment
d.
a rational view of potential partners in technology enhancement
e.
the entrenchment of the current top management team

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

   22.   The characteristics of a firm that is structured for learning include:

a.
less need for boundary spanning activities
b.
formalized networks for creating and storing data
c.
decision making process that are based on shared and transferred knowledge
d.
reward systems that are tied to individual performance
e.
increased political activities to spread information

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   23.   The keys to successful organizational learning include all of the following except ____.

a.
organizational learning is a function of a firm’s competencies, culture, and comfort
b.
organizational learning required the communication of ideas
c.
organizational learning is the sum of what everyone in the organization knows
d.
organizational learning needs to be stored in the organizational memory
e.
organizational learning processes need to be intentional in the organization

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   24.   Open source software is exemplified by ____.

a.
DOS operating systems
b.
Windows operating systems
c.
SAP
d.
Linux operating system
e.
Apple operating system

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

   25.   The role of the individual in organizational learning and knowledge management can best be described as:

a.
individuals serve as agents in the intelligence systems of the firm
b.
individuals participate in their key knowledge-exchange relationship
c.
individuals contribute their view to protect the area of the firm they represent
d.
individuals provide “gut” reactions to the information they hear at meetings
e.
individuals must fit into the expectations of firm leaders

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

   26.   Knowledge management is defined as:

a.
the exchange of information within the organization
b.
the processes that combine data, information, and individual learning in a synergistic manner
c.
the structuring of communication and documentation
d.
the development, transmission and storage of data for the firm
e.
a computerized decision making process

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   27.   Knowledge is created through all of the following activities except ____.

a.
socialization
b.
provocation
c.
externalization
d.
combination
e.
internalization

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   28.   The six basic principles that an organization can employ to help ensure success in knowledge management include all of the following except ____.

a.
system/process for knowledge management that allow it to move toward its strategic goal
b.
good information
c.
must create information accessible in a timely fashion
d.
individuals in the system who understand how to use information
e.
knowledge rests principally at the top of the organization and the system

ANS:  E                    PTS:   1

   29.   An understanding that goes beyond data and information manipulation and manifests itself in strategic decisions and organizational effectiveness is called:

a.
organization learning
b.
knowledge utilization
c.
organizational wisdom
d.
smart management
e.
knowledge management

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   30.   For the knowledge management system to remain viable and useful:

a.
the knowledge acquisition process must be closely monitored
b.
the knowledge memory must be open to change
c.
organizational wisdom must develop
d.
individual learning must be encouraged
e.
timing of knowledge organization must be reviewed continuously

ANS:  B                    PTS:   1

   31.   Today individuals charged with responsibility for R&D are typically ____.

a.
located in international settings
b.
are in flat organizations
c.
are spread throughout the organization
d.
are in separate organizations like the famous Bell Laboratories
e.
are trained as engineers

ANS:  C                    PTS:   1

   32.   One of the keys for success for R&D focused individuals is that ____.

a.
they have training in chemistry
b.
they have training in engineering
c.
they have international experience
d.
they have strong communication skills
e.
they have the ability to be promoted

ANS:  D                    PTS:   1

   33.   All of the following are assets that help an organization succeed except ____.

a.
a vision for where the organization and team are going
b.
an openness to the new ideas
c.
a strong sense of what he organization is and is not
d.
a person who is passionate about the exchange of knowledge and opportunity to learn
e.
a strong management by objective system that ensures everyone accomplishes the goals

ANS:  E                    PTS:   1

   34.   To encapsulate and store knowledge the firm must:

a.
identify and acquire knowledge sources
b.
disseminate knowledge from new sources
c.
use knowledge in new ways
d.
look for uniqueness in knowledge combinations
e.
experiment and evaluate with new ideas

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

   35.   A change in a production line is an example of ____.

a.
low task complexity and internal information needs
b.
low task complexity and external information needs
c.
high task complexity and internal information needs
d.
high task complexity and internal information needs
e.
explicit transfer of external information

ANS:  A                    PTS:   1

TRUE/FALSE

     1.   Tacit knowledge is knowledge that can be codified or written down.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

     2.   Learning is essential if the organization is to adapt to changes in technology and to innovation.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

     3.   The ability to learn is a tangible asset.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

     4.   It is more important that a firm scan externally than internally as it gathers information in learning.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

     5.   One danger in an organization with a conservative culture is that the firm may not look at a broad enough range of data or obtain data from a rich enough set of sources.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

     6.   Information must be delivered in a timely manner to enable learning.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

     7.   Interpretative learning is more common when conducting an acquisition.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

     8.   Most organizations will have a single type of learning that goes on in the organization.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

     9.   Organizational learning is the sum of what everyone in the organization shares.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

   10.   Organizational learning depends on individuals in the organization interacting but knowledge management does not.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

   11.   Knowledge management can be viewed as the processes that combines data, information, and individual learning in a synergistic manner.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

   12.   The most important outcome for a knowledge management system is to lead to the development of organization wisdom.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

   13.   One characteristic that has to be present for a knowledge management system to flourish is that the knowledge memory must be open to change.

ANS:  T                    PTS:   1

   14.   The key asset for an innovation organization are the financial resources it can call on.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

   15.   In knowledge management systems it is important a single dominant view of an issue hold dominance so that the organization is not distracted from its goals.

ANS:  F                    PTS:   1

SHORT ANSWER

     1.   What three factors does organizational learning ultimately depend?

ANS: 

·
gathering of data and information
·
transferring and sharing information through communication
·
enabling learning in the organization

PTS:   1

     2.   The characteristics of communication processes in an organization where learning is taking place are:

ANS: 

·
free exchange in, across, and between levels
·
recognition of the value of both the formal and informal networks where knowledge and information are exchanged
·
encouragement of free exchange at all levels of the organization
·
open dialogue
·
continual transformation of the organization system
·
support of a culture that encourages meaningful interaction

PTS:   1

     3.   Describe the characteristics of a systems approach to learning.

ANS: 

·
nature of information needs – searching for information that exists
·
primary goal – reduction in uncertainty
·
actions to take – collect data, analyze data, share information, look for deviations
·
what the organization wants to learn – information that indicates the reason for acquisition may be wrong

PTS:   1

     4.   Nonaka and Takeuchi suggest that knowledge is created through four activities. Describe those activities.

ANS: 

·
socialization – exchange of tacit knowledge
·
externalization – conversion of tacit knowledge to explicit knowledge
·
combination – combining tacit knowledge from four different areas of organization
·
internalization – conversion of explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge

PTS:   1

     5.   The six basic principles that an organization can employ to help ensure success in knowledge management can include what?

ANS: 

·
system/process for knowledge management that allow it to move toward its strategic goal
·
good information
·
must create information accessible in a timely fashion
·
individuals in the system who understand how to use information
·
knowledge rests throughout the organization and should be recognized
·
the knowledge management system should help the organization develop its organizational system

PTS:   1

     6.   Describe the characteristics of a knowledge management system.

ANS: 

·
people issues – community of capable individuals
·
company view – continuous multiple perspective assessment
·
structural orientation – proactive involvement at all levels
·
orientation – community of practice, cross functional
·
formality – low

PTS:   1