Information and Knowledge Management Assignment

Information about the Assignments

Aims : To develop an integrative perspective of different approaches and views on the topics explored throughout the unit;
Objectives : To develop an understanding of fundamental IM and KM principles, concepts and techniques
: To critically analyse current issues and debates in fields of IM and KM

Outcomes : You will be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of the various themes covered throughout the module and of the debates generated around them

Sequence of Learning and Assessment

Assessment is 35% through a group presentation and 65% through an individual essay.

The group presentation consists of presenting a diagrammatic representation of an integrative perspective on information and knowledge management strategies in organisations and submitting a written explanation of the diagram (500 words).

The individual assignment (2000 words) builds upon this and is an essay discussing the key issues identified in your diagrammatic representation, using the literature and the academic background to the subject to support your arguments and the cases studies of
Xerox, NASA and Danone as examples. This involves comparing and contrasting different approaches to information and knowledge management strategies, drawing on material from both the literature and the case studies.

Group presentation: an integrative perspective on information and knowledge management in organisations

This assignment aims at presenting an integrative perspective on Information and
Knowledge Management in organisations. It includes four elements:

1. Producing ONE diagrammatic representation of your integrative perspective on Information Management and Knowledge Management. This should consist of a synthesis of the linkages between different themes explored throughout the module,
   as well as, if appropriate, of other relevant issues you may identify through the literature searches you will carry out. You should also draw on the literature to develop your representation.
2. Producing a written explanation of the diagram (500 words).
3. Delivering a 10 minute presentation (+ c.5 minutes discussion) explaining the issues represented in your diagram in week 11. In accordance with University policy and procedures, students must also produce a short (approx. 250 words)
4. Individual reflective self-assessment of their group work experience and their individual contribution to the group task.  This item will not count towards the overall word-length and is not assessed; however, it is a necessary part of the assignment. You should bring this to the presentation, together with an electronic/hard copy of your diagram. You must hand in hardcopies of the individual reflections on the day of the presentation.

Individual essay: a discussion of the key issues identified in your group diagram against the literature and the NASA, Xerox and Danone case studies.

This assignment is an individual essay of 2000 words. It builds upon the group assignment
and involves:

1. Outlining what, in your personal opinion, are the key issues that should be included in developing an integrative perspective on Information Management and Knowledge Management; this builds upon the your group work activity – you can, of course, present an alternative perspective if your view has changed as a result of furthering your readings and reflecting upon them;
2. Discussing these key issues using the using the literature to support your arguments and examples from all three case studies – Xerox, NASA and Danone.

For this, you are required to:

a) search, gather and review a pool of key resources; the skills developed in INF6320 will be key in helping you to undertake this activity;
b) compare and contrast different viewpoints and discuss the assumptions they make about the nature of organisations, the issues they face and the nature and role of information and knowledge in how those issues are tackled by different organisations;
c) discuss the usefulness of considering potential alternative approaches, considering the contexts of the case studies; as mentioned above, reference to the case studies that are analysed in the module should be made, in order to provide an explanation and exemplification of your views.

Assessment criteria and grading advice

The assessment will be based upon the assessment criteria outlined in the Coursework Report Forms that will be made available beforehand.
Credit will be given to demonstration of independent research effort and to justification and discussion of options and viewpoints adopted.