Mobile and virtual workers continue to be a growing part of organizations. Describe two methods of presenting information from a knowledge worker information system to these workers.
How are these methods similar? How are they different?
The two methods used to present information to Virtual and mobile workers from the knowledge workers information system include information technology (IT) and information communication technology (ICT) in relation to the internet. To present information, organizations use IT which each worker is well conversant with. Conversely, these workers via the utilization of the internet and ICT have been given the opportunity to have the entire world’s information at their fingertips. ICT incorporates all technologies used in manipulating and communicating information. The most eminent similarity between these two tools is that both involve the relaying of information through the use of technology (Allee, 1997). The only difference is that ICT incorporates communication when presenting the information while IT does not have this feature.
What are the pros and cons of using information technology-enabled collaboration to package and present decision-making information?
When IT-enabled collaboration is used in packaging and presenting the decision making information, the decision-making process becomes more flexible, a sense of responsibility increases, and the thinking, as well as the information evolution processes, become easy. Besides, IT-enabled collaboration minimizes risks in areas such as quality, time, and cost. Environmental and social benefits also materialize to be part and parcel of this method. Despite the pros, information technology-enabled collaboration is associated with cons such as lack of a classification of the decision making information and the human natural power becomes damaged (Anand, 2006). It is also true that IT-enabled collaboration requires the support of various traditional technologies. Thus, additional costs are incurred when packaging and presenting the information.
Describe an example of a global knowledge worker information system. What works well and what could be improved to make the system better?
KWIS (knowledge worker information support) system is a universal knowledge worker information system found in the army. This system clearly demonstrates the knowledge work processes coupled with the requisite support deemed necessary in the management of information. Each task within this system has two sub-elements namely task execution and the assignment details. The assignment performance constituent comprises the utilization of devices that permit knowledge workers to suitably undertake their jobs. Such mechanisms entail word processors, procedural programs, expert systems, enabling technologies, and spreadsheets (McNurlin et al., 2009). Assignment particulars integrate job output terminus, due period, urgency, whoever allotted the jobs, and any correlations with further chores. Both task execution and task details work well. However, standard information elements need improvement.
Mobile and virtual workers continue to be a growing part of organizations. Describe two methods of presenting information from a knowledge worker information system to these workers. How are these methods similar? How are they different?
Organizations can use either ICT or IT to present information to virtual and mobile workers from the knowledge worker information system. The management tends to facilitate the job performance of knowledge workers through the provision of access to pertinent information. In such cases, IT is always embraced. However, to ascertain that information presented is realized, the management ensures that environments that offer balance amid autonomy and guidance, continuous education opportunities besides promoting desired information usage are facilitated. The expression IT denotes the supercomputer programs and apparatus applied when retrieving, dispensing, distributing, and packing information. Types of IT regularly utilized take account of automated mailing programs, word processing and worksheet alongside additional software bundles precisely intended to support information dispensation. Most IT systems reduce the time taken by knowledge workers when accessing, managing, and manipulating information (Kappes & Beverty, 1993).
ICT and internet development have empowered knowledge workers to develop their knowledge work abilities. These workers via the use of the internet and ICT have the entire universe of information at their fingertips. The methods appear to have made knowledge workers information up to date, easy to access, and user friendly. The application of information systems including data mining, data housing, search engines, and good databases makes it possible for knowledge workers’ information to be presented to knowledge workers. Thus, knowledge workers require ICT enabled atmosphere to passably accomplish their tasks within the knowledge-based organizations (Anand, 2006). The methods are similar in that they assist in making information wieldy and accessible at times when manipulating and accessing information is deemed crucial. The only difference between these two technologies is that ICT incorporates communication when presenting the information while IT does not have this feature.
What are the pros and co
ns of using information technology-enabled collaboration to package and present decision-making information?
IT-enabled collaboration system has been advanced by the internet. Communicating the decision making information has been made much easier with the aid of other communication gadgets. For example, traditional technologies including teleconferencing, phones, and emails have been used to support technology-enabled collaboration. Given the links associated with social and collaboration media, the involved parties are socially networked. They can securely share decision making information, develop relationships, and collaborate with various individualized networks. The system has made thinking and the information evolution process to be simple and easy. It integrates both new and traditional media, thus increasing the probability that individuals comprehend the objectives and goals of the assumed program.
It further develops and maintains professional and personal affiliations over a period. The involved parties realize the shared interests and interchange any information concerning such joint interests. In terms of cost-benefit, this technology represents a force multiplier (Tom & Nader, 2003). The time taken by people to obtain solutions to given problems is reduced.
IT-enabled collaboration seems to have disadvantages namely challenges ensuing from excessive dependence on skilled and purposeless individual networking to stimulate the relationship, innovation, and allotment of knowledge-founded info. For instance, different organizations and people incorporated in the program might not necessarily be acclimatized to cooperating and communicating so as to realize the collective goals. The incurred costs might escalate due to the existing competing objectives amongst various groups found within such a multifaceted program. Different sectors might be obliged to recognize and implement other collaborating sectors’ bureaucratic intrudes, goals, and objectives. Both new media and customary communication media might still exist. The purchase of these media results in escalated costs (Drucker, 1999).
Describe an example of a global knowledge worker information system. What works well and what could be improved to make the system better?
A typical universal knowledge worker information system is the KWIS system. This system has three information components namely information, tasks, and the products. The information component has data, institutional knowledge, and standard operating procedures. Within the task segment, there are task details and task execution which ultimately gives the knowledge workers product. The accomplishment of responsibilities could be either hands-on via offering support in the achievement of un-programmed resolutions or programmed so as to offer aid for every judgment that has been automated. To support a given task, the requisite information could be accessed via the information component named link-with. The constituent is a representation of the information allied to a particular task (Davenport, 2005). The available information might only be used provided a knowledge worker opts to utilize it.
KWIS system has standard operating procedures including all guidance, references, and regulations needed to perform an assignment. The processes are precise to an administration’s subunit that accomplishes the assignment. Conversely, data include all the knowledge workers supporting facts offered via various information management systems and other databases (Kroenke, 2011). The system displays all the interconnections amid all distinct knowledge work progressions within the structural sub-units and those of the whole association. The correlations between processes are shown by the linkages. Both task execution and task details work well since all the required information is accessible to all knowledge workers. However, standard information elements need improvement. The scheme needs to offer contextual info to help these workforces in discovering and inferring the desirable job support info.
References
Allee, V. (1997). 12 Principles of knowledge management. Training and Development, 51(11), 71-75. Print.
Anand, A. (2006). An agenda for ICT-enabled education. Indian Management, 32(2), 44-50. Print.
Davenport, T. H. (2005). Thinking for a Living: How to get better performance and results from knowledge workers. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Print.
Drucker, P. F. (1999). Knowledge-worker productivity: The biggest challenge. California Management Review, 41(2), 79-94. Print.
Kappes, S. & Beverty, T. (1993). A model for knowledge worker information support. Web.
Kroenke, D. (2011). Using MIS. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Print.
McNurlin, B. C., Sprague, R. H. & Bui, T. X. (2009). Information systems management in practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Print.
Tom, K. & Nader, N. (2003). Empowering the knowledge worker with internet learning: A Cisco approach to internet learning. McKinney, TX: Cisco Press. Print.