Emerald | International Journal of Educational Management

A Perceptual Study on KM Orientation in Indian Private Engineering Institutions.

Vandna Sharma — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Environmental challenges of digitalisation, globalization, and industrialization growing at a fast pace require serious attention. As a result, the old structures of education system established in pre-independent India and working during most of the twentieth century are now required to undergo drastic changes. The introduction of ICT and Knowledge Management System (KMS) in Indian education for achieving these new visions would require enormous changes in the system. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze the perception of teachers about KM Orientation in Indian Engineering Institutions in (NCR) and propose a conceptual model to assess KM orientation in Private Engineering Institutes in India.Design/methodology/approach - Research data is collected using a questionnaire from teachers of Private Engineering colleges of National Capital Region in India. A total of 200 questionnaires is distributed to the teachers of Private Engineering colleges of National Capital Region in Ghaziabad covering about 10 private Engineering colleges of the region. The validity of constructs were assessed by mean of factor analysis and reliability of scales were judged using Cronbach alpha.Findings - Factor analysis produced five factors of KM orientation after deleting the items with factor loading of less than 0.50. The result indicate that five attributes – knowledge acquisition, knowledge dissemination, leadership, culture and technology are important dimensions of Knowledge management orientation in engineering Institutions. Research limitations/implications - This paper can provide reflections and inputs to other technical institutions for developing successful knowledge management framework.Practical implications - The paper reveals knowledge infrastructure and resources used by Indian engineering institution as a benchmark for better performance. Originality/value - An examination of the literature, only a few studies of application of knowledge management in engineering colleges have been reported in India, which reveals that the KM as a tool in higher education have not received much attention.

Bridging the gap in Knowledge transfer between academia and practitioners

Rajat Gera — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose – The paper intends to identify the causes or gaps in transfer of managerial knowledge between academia and practitioners and develop a framework which overcomes the gaps through knowledge management, Information technology and Human Resource practices. The paper suggests a strategic approach based on the knowledge transfer cycle Design/methodology/approach - Design/methodology/approach – Development of a conceptual model based on existing research findings and conceptual models in literature combined with experience of academicians Findings - Findings – There has been very little transfer of research knowledge due to the inherent barriers in creation, diffusion, adoption and utilization by practitioners. By enhanced industry orientation of academicians and adoption of systematic processes of review and dissemination, early adopters (practitioners) can experiment and learn to apply theoretical knowledge which when supported by institutional mechanisms of HR, IT and KM, can minimize or eliminate the knowledge transfer gaps leading to improved firm’s competitiveness and performance Research limitations/implications - The framework has been developed from concepts of knowledge management and transfer and learning and need to be empirically validatedPractical implications - The developed framework can guide researchers in their approach toward knowledge creation so that their output is adopted by industry and thus has value. Practioner Industries can develop practices based on the framwork to enhance their ability to leverage academic knowledge for competitive advantageOriginality/value - Provides a framework based on knowledge transfer cycle model for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of research knowledge adoption and utilization Keywords- Knowledge management, Knowledge organizations, Higher Educational Institutions, Knowledge Transfer

Leveraging Higher Education Consortia for Institutional Advancement

Diana Burley, Cathy Gnam, Robin Newman, Howard Straker, Tanika Babies — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - To conceptually explore the role of higher education consortia in facilitating the operational advancement of member institutions, and in enabling their development as learning organizations in a changing and competitive higher educational environment.Design/methodology/approach - This article synthesizes the literature on higher education consortia and organizational learning and develops propositions to support future inquiry.Findings - While some institutions of higher education do indeed learn, the power that consortia hold to extend, expand, and exploit this learning may represent a vast, untapped resource. Through a better understanding of the role that consortium participation may play in organizational learning, a roadmap may be generated for higher education institutions to achieve the cultural and strategic shifts necessary to develop new directions for the delivery of educational content. This enhanced understanding also may help sustain the culture of, and innovative practices used by, learning organizations.Practical implications - Consortia have the potential to offer a wide variety of benefits to institutions of higher education through innovative structure, operations, and delivery methods, generating tremendous potential for institutions of higher education to become more effective learning organizations. Value: As institutions of higher learning continue to form collaborative partnerships through educational consortia, interesting questions arise about the potential unexplored value of these institutional networks. This article suggests that the interplay of diverse practices and sharing of related organizational knowledge across institutions may provide an opportunity for learning and adaptation within them. Originality/value - As institutions of higher learning continue to form collaborative partnerships through higher education consortia, interesting questions arise about the potential unexplored value of these institutional networks. This article suggests that the interplay of diverse practices and sharing of related organizational knowledge across institutions may provide an opportunity for learning and adaptation within them.

Sustaining higher education reforms: knowledge and policy implications learned from Thailand

Kongkiti Phusavat, Suphattra Ketsarapong, Keng-Boon Ooi, Stacy H P Shyu — 2012-01-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - University reforms to improve the quality of education have taken place in many countries. In Thailand, these reforms aim to improve the country’s long-term competitiveness from the higher education and innovation viewpoints. Quality assurance, university classification, and National Research University have been the major policy initiatives for the past decade to achieve academic excellence. However, its sustainability becomes the major concern. The paper aims to share the experiences in Thailand’s higher educational reforms in which academic excellence cannot be sustained without proper financial and fiscal consideration. The overall goal is to disclose the experiences and future issues facing public universities. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on the actual involvement from Kasetsart University in assisting Commission of Higher Education or CHE’s university reform efforts. In addition to the projects financially support by CHE, Kasetsart University has also participated as a committee member and an invited expert. The paper is narrative in nature. At the start, it shows the positive impacts from higher education on a country’s competitiveness level and the interrelationship between higher education and innovation. Then, the paper describes the country’s recent major reform initiatives to achieve academic excellence. Afterwards, the paper brings up the sustainability concern for public universities. Findings - The experiences from Thailand can be helpful for many countries as the country is moving from industrial-based towards knowledge-based economies. The major concern is that academic excellence for public universities cannot be sustained without more effective fiscal management and public-private partnership. Finally, despite the fact that the article is descriptive; the knowledge and lessons learned should be beneficial to scholars and practitioners who are interested in higher education reforms. Practical implications - The knowledge and experiences from Thailand, despite its narrative in nature, should be beneficial to many countries which are transforming from efficiency-driven (i.e., use of resources to generate economic wealth) to knowledge-driven economy. This transformation requires a comprehensive review in the roles of higher education. For the Thai case, there have been three major reforms aimed to improve how public universities would operate and perform in the future, given ongoing changes in population and globalization. Originality/value - Academic excellence has often been discussed within the context of quality without explicitly considering fiscal management. The use of public-private partnership that can improve the effectiveness of fiscal management is revealed and discussed. The knowledge and lessons learned should be beneficial to scholars and practitioners who are interested in higher education reforms.

Managing Knowledge in Internationalizing Universities through Foreign Assignments

Brendan Boyle, Anthony McDonnell, Rebecca Mitchell, Stephen Nicholas — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Purpose: This article discusses the opportunities presented by the globalization of education and the role of knowledge management in successful global expansion. It seeks to explain why the tacit dimensions of the knowledge transferred during international education provision makes it difficult to provide educational services in off-shore campuses, absent the transfer of people. This article draws on literature in the discipline of international business to explain why internationalizing universities need to consider the role of knowledge transfer as a strategic imperative. Design/methodology/approach - Methodology: As this is a conceptual article, arguments are built on insights from extant theoretical and empirical work. Findings - Findings: Based on the analysis of a diverse body of academic literature in the areas of international business, knowledge management and education theory, this article demonstrates the role of foreign assignments in the transfer of tacit knowledge in universities with off-shore campuses. Practical implications - Implications: The implications of the proposition raised in this article are presented with a focus on how they affirm the need for foreign assignments for effective knowledge management in internationalizing universities. Those implications include the need to use assignments to delivery courses off-shore and to create face-to-face interactions with academics at partner universities. Originality/value - Value: Drawing on a diverse body of academic literature this article provides theoretical and practical insights into how assignments can be utilized in international educational management, international educational delivery, and the creation of an environment in which knowledge resources can be utilized on an international basis.

Enhancing the Teaching-Learning Process: A Knowledge Management Approach

MAMTA BHUSRY, Jayanthi Ranjan — 2012-01-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the need for knowledge management (KM) in teaching-learning process in technical educational institutions (TEIs) in India and assert the impact of information technology (IT) based KM intervention in teaching-learning process.Design/methodology/approach - The approach of the paper is basically conceptual and descriptive. The paper studies the role of KM in facilitating knowledge sharing among stakeholders in TEIs in India and elaborates on the need for knowledge management in teaching-learning process. A KM framework for enhancement of knowledge sharing by the use of shared intellectual repositories (IRs) has been proposed for enhancement of teaching and learning in technical educational institutions in India. Findings - The authors value the impact that KM can have in enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in TEIs and underscore the need for credible research into the benefits and challenges that the implementation of IT based KM intervention will provide.Practical implications - The paper emphasizes on the urgent need for improvement in quality of education in TEIs in India with the tools and processes of knowledge management. The importance of the proposed framework lies in augmenting the teaching-learning process, improving productivity, enhancing communication among academia, researchers and professionals, enhancing student perception and understanding of the subjects and providing a common platform for pooling individual knowledge towards a common knowledge base. Originality/value - The paper helps academicians to understand the importance of information technology (IT) supported KM concepts, tools and practices towards quality teaching and learning. It provides useful inputs to TEIs which must recognize that implementation of KM will influence knowledge sharing among faculty, researchers, practitioners, experts, professionals and students and enable quality education to students. Further the development of an IT based KM system will facilitate to promote institutional value in the competitive academic society. However there exists the need to evaluate the proposed framework in TEIs in India.