IMST Knowledge Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a 'knowledge repository' or knowledge base?
- To store raw transaction data for business reporting
- To serve as a centralized, searchable collection of documented knowledge, best practices, and expertise (Correct answer)
- To archive email communications for compliance purposes
- To host the organization's public-facing website
Correct answer: To serve as a centralized, searchable collection of documented knowledge, best practices, and expertise
A knowledge repository is a curated, searchable system where explicit organizational knowledge—procedures, case studies, FAQs, expertise directories—is stored and made accessible.
Question 2: In knowledge management, what is 'knowledge transfer'?
- Moving data files from one server to another
- The process of sharing or disseminating knowledge from one individual, team, or system to another (Correct answer)
- Transferring employee records when someone changes departments
- Migrating a knowledge base from one software platform to another
Correct answer: The process of sharing or disseminating knowledge from one individual, team, or system to another
Knowledge transfer is the deliberate process of helping knowledge move from where it exists (a person or document) to where it is needed (another person, team, or system).
Question 3: What does 'intellectual capital' encompass in the context of knowledge management?
- The physical assets and equipment owned by an organization
- The combined intangible assets including human capital, structural capital, and relational capital that create organizational value (Correct answer)
- The financial investments made by the organization
- The patents and trademarks registered by the organization only
Correct answer: The combined intangible assets including human capital, structural capital, and relational capital that create organizational value
Intellectual capital is the total of intangible assets—employee expertise (human capital), organizational processes (structural capital), and stakeholder relationships (relational capital).
Question 4: What role does an 'expert directory' (also called a 'yellow pages') play in knowledge management?
- It lists all vendors and suppliers used by the organization
- It helps employees find internal subject matter experts who can provide knowledge or assistance (Correct answer)
- It documents all software applications available for employee use
- It maintains a record of external consultants and their specialties
Correct answer: It helps employees find internal subject matter experts who can provide knowledge or assistance
An expert directory maps people to their areas of expertise, enabling employees to quickly connect with internal knowledge holders rather than reinventing the wheel.
Question 5: What is 'organizational memory' in knowledge management?
- The storage capacity of the organization's server infrastructure
- The accumulated knowledge, experience, and information stored in organizational systems, culture, processes, and individuals (Correct answer)
- The minutes and records from board of directors meetings
- The corporate history displayed in the lobby of the headquarters
Correct answer: The accumulated knowledge, experience, and information stored in organizational systems, culture, processes, and individuals
Organizational memory is everything an organization 'knows'—stored in documents, databases, procedures, and in employees' minds—that can be recalled and applied to current problems.
Question 6: Which KM strategy focuses on codifying knowledge into documents and databases for broad reuse?
- Personalization strategy
- Codification strategy (Correct answer)
- Socialization strategy
- Externalization strategy
Correct answer: Codification strategy
The codification strategy (as defined by Hansen, Nohria, and Tierney) focuses on capturing knowledge in databases, manuals, and documents for efficient reuse across the organization.
IMST Knowledge Management 2
What is the purpose of a 'knowledge repository' or knowledge base?