There is a significant gap between the services provided by dedicated information systems and general desktop systems for document communication and preparation. This situation is a serious knowledge-management problem, which often results in information loss, poor communication, and confusion among users. Semantic desktops promise to bring knowledge-based services to common desktop applications and, ultimately, to support knowledge management by adding advanced functionality to familiar computing environments. By custom tailoring these systems to different application domains, it is possible to provide dedicated services that assist users in combining document handling and communication with structured workflow processes and the services provided by dedicated systems. This paper presents a model for developing custom-tailored document processing for semantic-desktop systems. Our approach has been applied to the domain of military command and control, which as based on highly-structured document-driven processes.
A Report on a Systems Theory Based Approach to Identify Options for Higher Knowledge Work Productivity and its Applications in Business and Public Management
The established methods used for measuring labour productivity originally designed for the manufacturing sector do not fit the specific characteristics of knowledge work. We therefore propose a more appropriate understanding of the driving forces behind knowledge work productivity, focussing on process quality instead of result quantity. In a three step potential analysis, we assess (1) the knowledge intensity and then (2) current levels of knowledge work productivity with regard to typical intellectual activities such as information processing, communication, decision making, and learning, as well as organizational adaptability. The quality of knowledge work can be increased if the handling of information, communication and knowledge during these activities occurs in a systematically organised way instead of arbitrarily. Results of the analysis are then used to (3) propose both short and medium term action plans for more productive knowledge work.
The advent of information and communication technology (ICT) provides opportunities for employees with offices in geographically dispersed locations to communicate, share and collaborate on projects to achieve common business goals. This paper describes the experiences of two Romanian telecom companies, one of them have adopted distance working as a key part of its organizational strategy.