Chapter 1: Introduction to Knowledge Management

Instructional Module

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The two major forms of knowledge, tacit and explicit, are distinguished by:
a. Grew out of a different KM root discipline.
b. Arose at a different point in time during the evolution of the KM concept.
c. Are used in different types of organizations.
d. The fact that they represent two entirely different types of content.
e. The fact that they represent two different extremes in a spectrum that
represents how well the knower can articulate the content.

2. The major goal of KM is to:

a. Convert all tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge.
b. Promote knowledge reuse and organizational innovation.
c. Formalize content management procedures in order to fully standardize
within an organization.
d. Ensure that all knowledge resides within the organization and not within
the knowledge workers of that organization.
e. Populate organizational databases with all knowledge that can be captured
from documents and employees.

3. Intellectual capital management (ICM) differs from knowledge management in

that:
a. ICM is for profit-driven organizations only.
b. ICM focuses on content of value whereas KM has a broader content focus.
c. ICM focuses on knowledge assets primarily.
d. KM focuses on documents whereas ICM focuses on people.
e. Both b and c.

4. Organizational learning can be defined as:

a. The sum total of all the formal training programs in an organization.
b. The transfer of knowledge from individuals to groups.
c. The transfer of individual knowledge to organizational memory.
d. The sum total of what every knowledge worker in the organization has
learned.
e. None of the above.
5. Organizational or corporate memory can be defined as:
a. The formal documented learnings (best practices and lessons learned) that
have been retained and can be accessed.
b. The history of how the organization was founded together with key
milestones in its existence.
c. The sum total of databases that exist within the organization.
d. The sum total of what each knowledge worker remembers.
e. None of the above.

6. A knowledge taxonomy is a:
a. A list of key words that must be used in searching for organizational
knowledge.
b. A software that can carry out knowledge search and access for you.
c. A classification of all organizational tacit knowledge.
d. A classification of all organizational explicit knowledge.
e. Both c and d.

7. A community of practice differs from a project team in that:

a. project teams have less people
b. the shared learning and interest of community members is what keeps it
together
c. the goal oriented focus of a community is what drives its energy
d. community of practice members cannot be in the same physical location
e. both b and c

8. The concept analysis technique may be used to:

a. Distinguish between similar terms.
b. Define a complex, subjective term.
c. Produce a list of synonyms.
d. Both a and b.
e. Both a and c.

9. The three generations of KM refer to:

a. The unknown, tacit and explicit generations
b. The focus on containers, communities and then knowledge content.
c. The three stages of knowledge formalization.
d. Both a and b.
e. Both b and c.

10. The following have key roles and responsibilities in organizational KM:

a. Information technologists
b. Information professionals
c. Librarians
d. Content Managers
e. All of the above
 11. The definition of a lessons learned is:
a. Reinventing the wheel
b. Learning from a training course
c. Continuous performance improvement
d. Learning from unsuccessful events
e. None of the above

12. The definition of a best practice is:

a. The optimal way of performing a task according to published theory
b. Learning through repeated practice
c. A successful outcome by your peers that you can replicate
d. Learning through trial and error
e. All of the above

13. The difference between an intangible asset and a tangible asset is that:
a. A tangible asset can be valued using financial (dollar) terms
b. An intangible asset is not a physical asset whereas a tangible asset is
c. An intangible asset cannot be identified
d. Only tangible assets have value
e. None of the above

14. The key difference between tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge is that:
a. Tacit knowledge is very difficult to put into words or images
b. Tacit knowledge must always be kept secret as it is confidential
c. Explicit knowledge is more important and valuable
d. Explicit knowledge consists only of written text in the form of documents
e. Both a and d

15. Which of the following are part of knowledge management?

a. Creativity
b. Research
c. Strategy
d. Business value evaluation
e. All of the above

Answer Key for Multiple Choice Questions

1 e
2 b
3 e
4 c
5 a
6 e
7 e
 8 d
9 b
10 e
11 d
12 c
13 b
14 a
15 e

Essay Questions

1. Describe the major milestones in the evolution of knowledge management.

Provide some examples of activities that, while not specifically denoted as “KM”
nevertheless represented key KM activities in organizations. In your historical
summary, be sure to include names of key KM leaders, companies and events.

2. Describe the multidisciplinary roots of KM. Why do you feel each one
contributes to the profession? Select three of these root disciplines and outline
how your approach to KM would differ.

3. Summarize the evolution of KM in terms of milestones. How would you

characterize the field today in terms of professional practice and as an academic
discipline?

4. What is the difference between how KM was done in the past or KM done
informally today and a systematic approach to KM? What are the added benefits?

5. Why is KM such a multidisciplinary area? What challenges does this present?

6. Why is KM more than “just good business practice”?