MG5594 Knowledge Management Social Networks and Innovation

Assignment/Coursework

Main Objective of the assessment

To recognize how organisations learn to exploit knowledge management (social media) for business innovation

The coursework task comprises an Individual ASSIGNMENT (100% weighting)

Main Objective of the Assessment

You are required to produce an INDIVIDUAL formal report involving a consideration of knowledge management (KM) initiatives and how they may be exploited for business value. The assignment (max 2500 words excluding references) will involve an analysis of an organisation of YOUR choice with the objective of determining how KM (embedded in social media) may result in successful innovation.

Description of the Assessment

You are required to identify how ANY organisation may ‘learn’ the nature of social media which may be adopted to exploit the extent of an organisations ‘knowledge’ leading to enhanced ‘innovation’. For clarity, your report should therefore form FOUR elements, i.e. organisational learning approach, social media development, knowledge management features and the opportunities for subsequent business innovation.

It is expected that an in-depth investigation is undertaken to determine the extent of the theoretical and practical issues involved in how Social Media may be analysed through KM and innovation frameworks. Examples should be drawn from other research into well formulated networks currently available, i.e.; Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Google, Linkedin, NING, Writeboard, Storybird, etc. You should include how your case analysis enabled successful knowledge and innovation within the organization. This should also involve a consideration of developments in the field by providing insightful explanations of current and future potential social media exploitation.

The report should provide an academic analysis by recalling the theories and approaches that are relevant to the topic. You may structure your report to include any relevant tables or diagrams with a suggested format as: features of organisational learning, nature of knowledge and how it may be managed, a contextual description of social networks and issues relating to the exploitation of organisational innovation through Social Media systems.

The following learning outcomes are assessed through this assignment.

1. To critically discuss the nature and process of knowledge creation and transfer within organisations.
2. To critically evaluate how organisational and social dynamics combine to engender innovation.
3. To analyze the application of concepts and theories related to new ‘social network’ technologies
4. To be able to present theoretical and empirical evidence to address complex problems and practical situations in relation to knowledge management and innovation development

The individual report should reflect:

• Ability to identify diverse and high quality sources of information (a minimum of 40 references are required from different sources). These should include: academic journals/ books/ trade publications, government and industry data, websites, etc.
• Demonstration of clear understanding and synthesise of the available information in order to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the topic(s).
• Ability to discuss complex information clearly and concisely, and to construct coherent and logical arguments.
• Ability to present your findings in a professional and well structured report format, including effective use of figures, tables, appendices and referencing (Harvard Style is required).

It is essential that your research should include novel, thoughtful analysis and the impact of social networks on innovation through referencing and incorporation of ideas from multiple sources. 

In addition, the opportunity will be taken to enhance ‘employability’ criteria through attention to ‘presentation skills, ‘clarity of analysis’, ‘team support’, ‘entrepreneurship’, etc

The following article will be available on BL:

Tassabehji R, Hackney R, Popovic A (2017), Emergent Digital Era Governance: enacting the role of the ‘institutional entrepreneur’ in transformational change, Government Information Quarterly

You are required, within defined groups, to present an overview of the main ideas, approach and findings from this article in addition to the core analysis from the individual assignment noted above. Presentations will be undertaken within lectures during the last few weeks of module delivery.

The following employability skills and competencies will be enhanced through this assignment.

• Develop and demonstrate communication skills to effectively convey information in writing.
• Develop and demonstrate planning and organizational skills along with a high degree of detail orientation.
• Demonstrate and demonstrate solid work ethic in successfully completing tasks.
• Demonstrate ability to take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate enthusiastic attitude to quickly assimilate new concepts and meet challenges.
• Demonstrate analytical thinking for identifying, scrutinizing, improving, and streamlining complex work processes.
• Develop and demonstrate team working skills in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills in working with constructing productive relationships with team members.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment identifies the criteria, which meet the learning objectives for the module, through the design, development and production of a individual written assignment (2500 words – excluding references) relating to the topics of data, information, knowledge and innovation

Requirements

1. To critically discuss the nature and process of knowledge creation and transfer within social network organisations
2. To critically evaluate how individual learning and organisational dynamics combine to engender innovation
3. To recognise the application of concepts and theories related to innovation, learning, knowledge and broader social processes associated with an emergent knowledge-based global economy
4. To apply concepts and theories to complex problems and practical situations based on logical analysis and empirical evidence

PG grades and grade point bands [Senate Regulation 3 (2013 starters onwards)] are: A++ (17), A+ (16), A (15), A- (14), B+ (13), B (12), B- (11), C+ (10), C (9), C- (8), D+ (7), D (6), D- (5), E+ (4), E (3), E- (2), F (1)