Knowledge management as a mechanism for technological and organizational change management in Israeli universities

Abstract

During the last decade, the higher education sector has experienced many pressures and changes (Hanna, Educause Review, 38(4), 25-34, 2003; Scott, Educause Review, 38, 64-80, 2003; Waterhouse, The power of e-learning: The essential guide for teaching in the digital age, 2005). Universities around the world are facing the need to adapt to a rapidly changing educational and social landscape, in which technology is both the main cause of change and a tool for dealing with the change. This study examines the organization-wide technological changes that have infiltrated every aspects of life at all universities that are part of the higher education system in Israel during the last 7 years: the introduction of on-line instruction, e-learning and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology for university work processesThe research findings show that there is a mechanism for managing organization-wide technological changes at Israeli universities but it is not a rational one. This study proposes a model for managing organization-wide technological changes in universities on the basis of the existing mechanism, using knowledge management strategies for the purpose of change management:KM-M-CM (Knowledge Management as a Mechanism for Change Management) Implementation of this model will make it possible to realize the challenge of transforming the university from a ''knowledge institution'' to a ''learning institution.'' It will come life to the extent that the higher education system in Israel, its leaders and decisionmakers understand the need for a permanent mechanism to manage change and adopt this rational model in order to establish it.

Cultural, Technological and Informational Based Knowledge Management

“…Corporations understand that by developing and investing in the knowledge based resources, they will go a long way towards ensuring the growth and future success of the organization. The competitive business environment will result in strategic planning tools for profit enhancement and product or service differentiation to meet the needs of the consumer [1].…”

The Impact of Management Information Systems on a South African University’s Organisational Processes

“…Universities around the world are facing the need to adapt to a rapidly changing educational and social landscape, in which technology is both the main cause of change and a tool for dealing with the change (Shoham & Perry, 2009). Management information systems are basically an integrated user machine system for input and output of data, processing of information and support for operations.…”

“…Information systems, in turn, can be understood as a group of interrelated components that collect, process, store and disseminate information to support decision making and managerial control (De Oliveira, de Vasconcelos, Queiroz, Queiroz, &Hékis, 2011). Shoham & Perry (2009) articulate that the role of technology in the organizations is complex and significant both as a creator of change and as a tool for dealing with change, sometimes simultaneously. The use of MIS allows for simpler processes, and as de Oliveira et al (2011) notes, institutions are resorting to technology to enhance and simplify information management.…”

“…The organisational structures and cultures of academic institutions are different from that of companies, business organizations and non-profit organizations (Winston, cited in Shoham & Perry, 2009), with academic institutions, such as universities, being heavily reliant on MIS systems for activities such as student registration, the allocation of resources, library services, online learning and intranet services. Critically, MIS's are an integral part for the administrative management of universities.…”

Introducing the Intellectual Capital Interplay Model: Advancing Knowledge Frameworks in the Not-for-Profit Environment of Higher Education

“…Their study concluded that American higher education institutions as well as those in Asia, Europe, and Latin America have come to see knowledge management as central to their raison d'etre in today's know economy. Further, Shoham and Perry (2009) believe knowledge management to be critical to this process stating: "Knowledge management offers higher education an infrastructure for planning and managing innovation and change powered by cooperation, collaboration, and transmission of knowledge, as part of the organizations activity, while relying on and using information technology and supporting cooperation (p. 244)."…”