In this paper, we conceptualize visual representations (e.g., sketches, CAD drawings, and prototypes) as „artifacts of knowing‟ serving the purposes to share, transform, and symbolize organizational knowledge. First, we propose a comprehensive definition of visual representations by integrating insights from the literature domains of knowledge management and organizational culture. Building on the reviewed literature, we then develop a conceptual framework that articulates the visualization process in terms of a cyclical pathway between the formats (e.g., from sketches to prototypes) and the functions (e.g., from knowledge sharing to knowledge symbolization) of visual representations. After suggesting managerial recommendations for the use of visual representations in organizational knowledge management, we conclude our paper by pointing out the limitations of the current literature, and by suggesting directions for future research on visual knowledge management.
knowCube®, a novel multi criteria decision making tool, is introduced. Its user-friendly interface assists “intuitive surfing through decision spaces” by means which are also familiar to non-experts. Causes and effects of alternatives may be examined from different points of view, and several types of criteria – like quantitative or qualitative, dependent or independent, hard or soft, and all mixed together – can be handled at the same time. The tool’s broad applicability is illustrated by some application examples from absolutely different fields: Mixed Sandwiches of various materials are investigated in manufacturing, ideal Foams are produced due to optimal parameter settings, and personalized Drugs could be designed by balancing conflicting effects.
As pointed out by several scholars, inter-organizational collaboration is an important vehicle for knowledge creation. But the process of integrating knowledge across organizational boundaries entails great complexity. In this paper, we argue that visualizing knowledge in inter-organizational meetings is a conduit of knowledge sharing, and enables innovative re-combinations of organizational competences. We propose an experimental design to uncover the advantages and possible disadvantages of using visual techniques as a support for inter-organizational knowledge sharing. In particular, we compare the process and the outcome of knowledge sharing in inter-organizational teams supported with 1) software-based visualization, 2) poster-based visualization, and 3) text-based methods. The first results of our experiments suggest that software-supported teams outperform the control groups in knowledge-sharing tasks, and exhibit greater satisfaction with teamwork process and outcome. After discussing relevant implications for both researchers and practitioners, we point out limitations of our study and suggest directions for future research.
30.000 advisory calls per year! How to analyze, rate and improve them interactively? For getting these goals a novel technique is introduced, which is based on a structure similar to a music score. Via a “duet”, guided by the advisor called, the main contents of the dialogue are extracted and stored automatically. At this, trained speech recognition is applied for the (known) advisor’s part for monitoring and controlling the call’s course, and keyword spotting is used for the (unknown) “customer” to pick out instances from sets of expected values. The results thereof fill an abstract score annotated to the call conducted. Then, because of the strong structure of such scores, the archive of all these dialogues is an ideal base for retrieval, exploration, comparison and clustering of calls, using e.g. graphical tools like knowCube®.
In recent years the visualization of knowledge has been gaining wider attention: visualization is said to enhance human capabilities for knowledge intense activities such as decision making and strategic thinking. However, this is a recent field and still widely unexplored. Thus far, the advantages of knowledge visualization have been investigated mainly through anecdotal evidence and qualitative studies. In this paper, we propose an experimental approach to further comprehend the role of visualization in fostering knowledge sharing. We plan to compare the elicitation and evaluation processes of groups who are provided (1) with an optimal visual support, (2) with a sub-optimal visual support, and (3) without any visualization. The goal of our research is to apply the experimental approach – widely used in studying GSS (Group Support System) but seldom used in knowledge management – to shed light on the role of visualization for knowledge-intensive tasks in groups. We report first preliminary results of an experiment with 56 MBA students and also outline the limitations of our approach.
In this paper we propose a classification and systematic description structure based on the pattern paradigm for interaction scripts in Second Life that aim at facilitating knowledge sharing and knowledge integration in groups. We present eight examples of such interactions, a description structure to formalize them, and classify them into four classes according to their design scope and added value. Based on this classification we distinguish among sophisticated 3D collaboration patterns, seamless patterns, decorative patterns, and pseudo patterns.
In this paper we describe novel ideas and their prototypical implementation for the visualization of rule bases. In the creation of the visualization our approach considers not only the structure of a rule base but also records of its usage. We also discuss methods to address the challenges for visualization tools posed by rule bases that are large, created with high level knowledge acquisition tools or that contain low level rules that should remain hidden from the users.
Diagrams are often conceived as static representations. In this paper, by contrast, we explore how conceptual graphic representations can be used as communicative devices for knowledge-intense activities in groups. We do so by reviewing and extending existing cognitive and communicative dimensions and criteria. The aim of our research is to formalize the description of diagrams used in management discussions, analyzing their communicative and collaborative functions in order to better use them in knowledge creation and sharing in teams. We start with reviewing and merging the literature on cognitive and communicative dimensions and the literature on boundary objects, as well as information visualization, in order to compile the most relevant dimensions for knowledge creation and sharing in team. Thus, we cluster those dimensions obtaining eight macro-dimensions. We propose a formal analysis of diagrams which can be used as a tool for selecting and modifying appropriate visualizations fordifferent knowledge-intensive activities in teams. An application example illustrates this approach.
The interaction between a knowledge management systems and the users requires well-adapted visualization tools with graphical formalization of knowledge. The formalization is often theoretically based on graph-models. Yet, the best associated visual representations use trees but may be more limited than those with graphs. This paper gives an introduction to Atanor, a knowledge management system, whose graphical model for visualizing knowledge is tree-based. However this approach entails vertex redundancies. Consequently, we develop a new approach based on a layered digraph to solve this problem. Finally, we draw a comparison on an industrial example showing the advantages of the new model.
This paper sheds light on the communicative process through which experts and decision makers integrate their domain specific knowledge in decision making situations and argues for the benefit of knowledge visualization. We present a second order model for knowledge integration that reflects the main communicative challenges of such interactions. These are: unequal participation, a lack of common ground, a lack of big picture, and an unconstructive handling of conflict. Presenting results from an experimental study, we show that supporting conversations with an interactive visualization tool moderates the relationships of these communicative challenges and knowledge integration. We find that in the supported condition, conversers rely more on the establishment of common ground and big picture and deal more constructively with conflict.
This paper introduces the new focus Strategy Visualization in the larger context of knowledge visualization and a case study. Strategy Visualization is defined as the systematic use of complementary visual representations to improve the analysis, development, formulation, communication, and implementation of strategies in organizations. Strategy Visualization is thus more than a mapping of measurements, because it aims to engage and activate employees. To do so, the strategy needs to be communicated to the stakeholder’s context where we can learn from knowledge visualization. That’s why Strategy Visualization can be integrated into the established Knowledge Visualization Framework. To do so the paper secondly presents the application of the framework in one case study at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) where the strategy of the project Science City needed to be communicated to various stakeholders. A small evaluation indicates that the strategy to use complementary visualizations was the key for the successful communication of the strategy. That’s why the new research focus Strategy Visualization, the Knowledge Visualization Framework, and the case study are important for researchers in the fields of knowledge management, knowledge visualization, information visualization, strategic management, communication sciences and for practitioners as journalists, or managers.
The efficient, collaborative creation and transfer of knowledge is still a major challenge in many organizations, particularly among different professional groups, such as experts and managers. This paper presents a visual knowledge communication suite that aims at improving the quality of collaborative knowledge communication in face-to-face meetings and in on-line workshops, primarily for synchronous interactions, but also for asynchronous
communication. The paper presents the framework for the developed software and screenshot of its five modules (called ruler, positioner, ideaquarium, tracker and timeliner).
Two fields of research are heavily interested in developing visualizations for helping users coping with complex tasks and ill-structured subject matter resources: knowledge visualization and information visualization. The goal of knowledge visualization is to assist students in learning and problem solving by providing tools for fostering externalized cognition. The goal of information visualization is to provide knowledge-based access to information resources and help users in making sense of the resources they are looking for in information retrieval. The contribution draws attention to digital concept maps as cognitive tools which may provide a basis for the development of synergistic approaches that may help visualizing, accessing, and managing both knowledge and information and foster resourcebased learning.
Self-Organizing Maps are a prominent tool for exploratory analysis and visualization of high-dimensional data. We propose a novel method for visualizing the cluster structure and coherent regions of the Self-Organizing Map that can be displayed as a vector field on top of the map lattice. Concepts of neighborhood and proximity on the map is exploited to obtain a representation where arrows point to the most similar region. The method is especially useful for large maps with a high number of map nodes. In our experiments, we visualize a data set that stems from applications in the petroleum industry, and show how to use our method to maximize the gas output.
This paper introduces and evaluates the effectiveness of a new visualization method that helps to communicate a complex business process in an organization. A quality development process needed to be established in an education centre for health care professions. Traditional project plans, flyers and mails did not manage to get the attention, present an overview and details and motivate the employees for action. Because visual metaphors are effective for knowledge communication, we developed a customized tube map visualization that illustrates the whole process: Each tube line represents a target group, each station a milestone. The visualization was printed as a poster and located at prominent locations in the organization. The evaluation showed that the tube map visualization is a powerful metaphor to communicate a complex project to different target groups and build up a mutual story. The employees considered it useful because it provides an overview and detailed information in one image and initiates discussions.