Modelling and knowledge management for sustainable development

Most of knowledge management documents use a single dimension or individual case study as the foundation to carry out studies into management performance and the studies into how knowledge management performance influence knowledge management driver are very few. Consequently, this study integrated the theories from different studies to propose three individual drivers of knowledge management, and the knowledge management performance of organizations was the dependent variable. Through questionnaires, the mutual relationship between the three individual drivers of knowledge management would be discussed, and then the relationship between the drivers of knowledge management and the knowledge management performance in the organization would be discussed too. Two-step approach of Anderson and Gerbing (1988) was the main study method of this study, and SPSS statistical software was used to carry out reliability test and exploratory factor analysis, and assessment of validity and measuring model were then carried out. LISREL8.51 statistical software was used to carry out verification for the measuring model. The study result showed that the more popular the application of relevant information system of knowledge management, the better the performance of organization’s knowledge management. Positive participation of the leaders and creation of knowledge management culture are important factors of the optimal knowledge management performance in the organization. On the other hand, appropriate use of information technology allows the formation of knowledge management culture. This culture could guide or stimulate the organization too. Leader’s behavior is the significant factor of creating excellent knowledge management culture. This study attempted to urge the enterprises to check on its organization and operation, and correct their major problems during the preparation of implementing knowledge management, so as to promote the probability of being successful when the enterprises implement knowledge management. Key words: Drivers of knowledge management, knowledge management performance, knowledge -based economy, operation performance.

The need for adequate supply of infrastructure has long been viewed as a key ingredient for economic growth and sustainable development, both in the academic literature and policy debates. With the quest for economic development by governments in developing countries and the consequent emergence of public-private partnerships to deliver major infrastructural projects on time, within the approved budget and in accordance with the preset specifications. A linkage can be established between Sustainable infrastructural development and Project management. This will be seen from the need to maximize success in infrastructural projects that will deliver integrated social, economic, and environmental concerns. In this setting, there would be need for the recruiting of multi-disciplinary teams with specialist backgrounds to implement these infrastructural projects. The question to ask is if project management as a profession is adequate in the delivery of a steady stream of experts to carry out needed project management activities in infrastructural development? We present evidence that project management is being increasingly seen not as a profession with a clear educational path, but as a skill that can be acquired with experience and as a second degree specialization. We also present evidence that shows that project management is not highly competitive in tertiary institutions in our Nigerian case-study and this may be as a result of a lack of clear understanding of the profession of project management. We argue that there is an urgent need for harnessing the development potential of project management as a structured profession with a clear educational path; such that project managers can begin to take on the task of delivering sustainable infrastructural projects. They are to ensure that in the execution of these projects; the economic role of these infrastructural projects should not be accorded ‘precedence’ over the other dimensions of sustainable development – the social, cultural and environmental aspects. Key words : Sustainable development; Infrastructural projects; Project management; Education; Nigeria; Economic growth

The theme of the research is to look into the relatedness among IT lead-in, “knowledge management”, “marketing orientation” and “job performance” in T Company in mobile communication industry. From 2005, mobile communication industry starts the tendency of internationalization and diversification. Meanwhile, the enterprise faces the pressure of accelerated innovation.Therefore, most enterprises lead in “knowledge management” concept and use IT (Information Technology) infrastructure, deal with the changes of international products through organization learning. Accordingly, the target of this research is to study how the telecommunication operators learn from cross-unit (IT Role) base on the acknowledgement of “knowledge management” and”marketing orientation” , and get job performance in result. The case study instrument is pretested with T Company which goes public and is one of the top three telecommunication companies. To construct related materials of “knowledge management”,”marketing orientation”and ”job performance” which are suitable to employees of T Company through data collection. Process the PLS analysis model base on 80 emplyees of 5 major departments to validate the causal relation among the variables of “IT role”,”knowledge management”,”marketing orientation” and “job performance”. Findings are that “knowledge management” is the important effect parameter of IT system and “marketing orientation”, and “marketing orientation” is also the significant effect of firm performance. The case study connects “IT role”and “knowledge management”in theoretical foundation, and links IT and “marketing orientation”via “knowledge management”to make positive effects. Moreover, the case study extends more effects of “marketing orientation”theory to firm performance. Key words: “IT Role”,”Knowledge Management”,”Marketing Orientation”,”Job Performance”.

Critiquing Economic Frameworks in Sustainable Development: Health Equity, Resource Management and Materialism Anisa Khadem Nwachuku This collection examines mainstream economics discourse as it relates to three topics in sustainable development: health equity, sustainable non-renewable resource management and development approaches. The themes of the three papers are as follows: Political Dimensions of Health Equity in Mozambique In order to promote equity in health, analysis should look beyond the standard economic definitions used to identify underserved and vulnerable populations. Human and Social Capital, Compensation or Cost? Reexamining the Hartwick Rule In order to achieve sustainable non-renewable resource management, planners must go beyond the current economic theoretical framework and consider the direct impacts of extraction on human and social capital. The Materialism Paradigm – Neither Sustainable, nor Development The way economists have understood prosperity is materialistic and development is exporting this welfarereducing paradigm. The synthesis of the series The frameworks used in economics to address a variety of issues in sustainable development have limited efficacy and would benefit from insights originating outside the discipline.

Much research has focused on desertification and land degradation assessments without putting sufficient emphasis on prevention and mitigation, although the concept of sustainable land management (SLM) is increasingly being acknowledged. A variety of SLM measures have already been applied at the local level, but they are rarely adequately recognised, evaluated, shared or used for decision support. WOCAT (World Overview of Technologies and Approaches) has developed an internationally recognised, standardised methodology to document and evaluate SLM technologies and approaches, including spatial distribution, allowing the sharing of SLM knowledge worldwide. The recent methodological integration into a participatory process allows now analysing and using this knowledge for decision support at the local and national level. The use of the WOCAT tools stimulates evaluation (self-evaluation as well as learning from comparing experiences) within SLM initiatives where all too often there is not only insufficient monitoring but also a lack of critical analysis. The comprehensive questionnaires and database system facilitate to document, evaluate and disseminate local experiences of SLM technologies and their implementation approaches. This evaluation process - in a team of experts and together with land users - greatly enhances understanding of the reasons behind successful (or failed) local practices. It has now been integrated into a new methodology for appraising and selecting SLM options. The methodology combines a local collective learning and decision approach with the use of the evaluated global best practices from WOCAT in a concise three step process: i) identifying land degradation and locally applied solutions in a stakeholder learning workshop; ii) assessing local solutions with the standardised WOCAT tool; iii) jointly selecting promising strategies for implementation with the help of a decision support tool. The methodology has been implemented in various countries and study sites around the world mainly within the FAO LADA (Land Degradation Assessment Project) and the EU-funded DESIRE project. Investments in SLM must be carefully assessed and planned on the basis of properly documented experiences and evaluated impacts and benefits: concerted efforts are needed and sufficient resources must be mobilised to tap the wealth of knowledge and learn from SLM successes.

In today's world, knowledge is the only way of gaining wealth in organizations and societies. Natural and human investments may result in wealth only when coordinated and incorporated with knowledge investments. Knowledge, information, spiritual assets, specialization, and occupational qualifications are the required instruments for gaining wealth, and those societies deprived of such instruments are regarded as poor. Nowadays, capability relies heavily on knowledge, and it is the application of creative mentality that effectively makes promotion and development possible. Organizations have realized that no investment benefits them in today's world of competition as much as knowledge does. That is why above all other factors, the personnel of an organization (being the source of knowledge) have been considered as the most critical investments of that organization. Accordingly, knowledge management, as the instrument by which the available knowledge can be collected, classified, and disseminated throughout the organization, has received special attention. However, the efforts of many organizations in the field of knowledge management have ended in failure. This has been mostly due to the fact that these organizations have not taken advantage of the proper model of knowledge management evaluation, and they have looked upon it as a temporary and short term task. In this article, in accordance to the research done in this regard, the effective factors involved in knowledge management have been determined, and based on these factors; a model of knowledge management evaluation in industrial organizations (automobile industry) of Iran has been presented. In addition to that, using the presented model, we can assess the level of knowledge management. These factors are recognizing knowledge, acquiring knowledge, application of knowledge, sharing of knowledge, expansion of knowledge, and maintenance of knowledge. Each of these factors has been subdivided into other factors as well. Two organizations of the automobile industry of Iran, which have had the highest level of production in the automobile market of Iran among all other organizations, have been studied in this research. After collecting the data, applying the necessary statistical procedures, and analyzing the outcome, the results have been presented in the form of a final model so that it will be tested on its effectiveness in practice. Key words: Knowledge, knowledge management, knowledge evaluation, level of knowledge, automobile industry.

This thesis is a manifestation of efforts to integrate FM into the development process through a greater involvement of Facilities Managers in the property development industry. It also presents an original contribution to knowledge in a form of a validated best practice, which is identified as the facilities management-development process (FM-DP) integration framework. The framework potentially serves as a guide to Facilities Managers and other professionals in various organisations in the property development industry to optimise the value of Facilities Management (FM) in the development project and to achieve sustainable development. The study was conducted as an exploratory sequential mixed methods design in order to identify the issues that limit Facilities Managers from being involved in the property development industry, when they are known to be an appropriate professional to optimise the value of FM in the development process. Qualitative approach has been used as a core component of this research in order to obtain confirmation of the critical issues obtained from the literature review. To develop the framework, a survey questionnaire was used followed by relevant statistical procedure and analysis. To ensure validation, a member-checking approach was implemented through focus group interview. The validated framework reveals that there are 52 best practices to be considered by Facilities Managers or other professionals in the property development industry to optimise the role of FM in the development process for sustainable development. In addition, the framework discovers that best practices are required in all stages of the development process. Nevertheless, Stage 4: Technical Design is crucial, as it requires most of the best practices that drive the integration of FM into the development process. The framework demonstrates a ‘killing two birds with one stone’ strategy: (i) exploiting the framework is expected to increase the profile of FM among other professionals, (ii) encouraging a greater involvement of Facilities Managers in the property development industry, which (iii) leads the project to a sustainable development agenda.

Urban management in any context has a different economic, social and political structure, which is in harmony with the existing models of organization. In spite of these differences, in order to reach a sustainable urban development, several different conferences should be referred to. In the “Brundtland Commission 1987” about urban sustainable development these definitions have been given: “preservation and promotion of the quality level of city life. This consists of ecology, culture, politics, economies, and social participation. However, this development should in no case weigh on and create any problems for the future generations”. In all the definitions of urban management and urban sustainable development and in any political context citizens’ participation in decision making and insistence on social justice are mentioned. The aim of this article is a descriptive, analytic, and comparative study of different models of popular participation in different developed countries. Each of these countries has different social and political structure. However they all have the same aim which is the citizens’ empowerment. To reach the ideal urban management model it is necessary to have a clear image of the place and participation of citizens in order to create a socially, economically and politically sustainable developed society.

With rapid changes in hi-tech information and the flourishing development of the internet, knowledge management seems to constitute a rather large challenge to the medical industry, and becomes a main topic of debate for their present and future success. In order to examine the effect of the knowledge management infrastructure, knowledge management capability and job satisfaction on organizational loyalty, this study conducted Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses with 399 questionnaires of hospital administrative staffs in Taiwan. In exploration of the model of this study, it was found that the factors greatly influencing organizational loyalty of hospital administrative staffs, in turn, were knowledge management infrastructure, job satisfaction, and knowledge management capability. The results of this research can help the authorities of hospitals to understand their staffs' job satisfaction and organizational loyalty, which will allow authorities to take the steps necessary to increase job satisfaction and organizational loyalty. Research implications and directions are discussed.

Smartwork will gradually move from the routine job to the knowledge based job. Therefore, supporting the personal level knowledge activities and the organizational level KM(Knowledge Management) will have a critical effect on the organizational performance. The purpose of this research is to develop strategies that revitalize the knowledge management for organizations that are trying to implement smartwork under such context. First of all, through the research results reviewed from areas such as current teleworking, telecommuting, mobile working and virtual organization, we identify the characteristics of the knowledge management for smartwork. And then, we develop and propose KM strategy that would supplement the existing knowledge management method and techniques in the smartwork environment. Academically, this paper emphasizes the further research needs about KM in terms of smart work. Operationally, it outlines and guides to the KM strategies for the government and enterprise planners that are designing smartwork.

In its search for pathways towards a more sustainable management of natural resources, development oriented research increasingly faces the challenge to develop new concepts and tools based on transdisciplinarity. Transdisciplinarity can, in terms of an idealized goal, be defined as a research approach that identifies and solves problems not only independently of disciplinary boundaries, but also including the knowledge and perceptions of non-scientific actors in a participatory process. In Mozambique, the Centre for Development and Environment (Berne, Switzerland), in partnership with Impacto and Helvetas (Maputo, Mozambique), has elaborated a new transdisciplinary tool to identify indigenous plants with a potential for commercialization. The tool combines methods from applied ethnobotany with participatory research in a social learning process. This approach was devised to support a development project aimed at creating alternative sources of income for rural communities of Matutuíne district, Southern Mozambique, while reducing the pressure on the natural environment. The methodology, which has been applied and tested, is innovative in that it combines important data collection through participatory research with a social learning process involving both local and external actors. This mutual learning process provides a space for complementary forms of knowledge to meet, eventually leading to the adoption of an integrated approach to natural resource management with an understanding of its ecological, socio-economic and cultural aspects; local stakeholders are included in the identification of potentials for sustainable development. Sustainable development itself, as a normative concept, can only be defined through social learning and consensus building between the local and external stakeholders.

Comptroller division is a staff unit of government organization, in charge of the business of year’s account、accounting、statistic. The purpose of year’s account is to build up the government’s budget system, distribute resources reasonably, and value the efficiency of government’s application, expect to combine the government policy and the budget. Accounting can assist budget execution and compile an accounting report correctly, showing the real financial station. For statistics, it is to collect the execution results of public affairs, and various statistic data for further analysis and application, being the reference materials to affirm government’s policy and budget. Since time progresses and ideas innovate unceasingly, the financial officer works must keep pace with the times, for following time pulsation and society’s need. In recent years, for our national troops promoting organization restructuring, our human resources has been simplified and national defense affairs are getting more diverse than before, in order to make more contributions to each specialized field, comptrollers should study new knowledge continuously, apply information technology to improve working method and innovate business. In this era of knowledge economy, how comptroller division to induct the concepts and practices of knowledge management and make use of it properly、set it into action has been a present important topic for government to display it’s high efficiency and high service quality. This research regards to above explanation, first collect and discuss the related theory of knowledge management, secondly explain present execution situations of our military comptroller division’s knowledge management inducting. finally uses scientific questionnaire analysis methods, including Fuzzy Delphi method、Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process、and Fuzzy theory, providing a systematic critical key successful factors knowledge management estimation model. This model contains four sections, these are: organization culture、strategy and leadership、information technology、and achievements measurements, total up to 22 targets. By way of relating each major section’s relative weight then sorting it, we can understand the priority items when department of defense comptroller division promotes knowledge management, then supplying consulting data for organization’s policy maker to improve their strategy.

Though literature on information and knowledge management is vast, there is much confusion concerning the meaning of these terms. According to the literature review, technology-oriented information management includes data management, information technology management and strategic information technology management. The main emphasis of these approaches is the effective and efficient use of information technology. In contrast, content-oriented approaches focus on information and its use. They can be distinguished in records management, provision of external information, human-centered information management, and information resources management. The reading of the literature on knowledge management reveals that this term is either used synonymously for information management or for the management of work practices with the goal of improving the generation of new knowledge and the sharing of existing knowledge. This article identifies various aspects that are embraced by the terms information and knowledge management. Thus, it should contribute to more terminological clarity and finally improve communication both in science and in professional practice. In this sense, the author hopes that this article will not only contribute to more terminological clarity but have further positive implications.

The horrors of Taiwan’s 921 Earthquake and 88 Flood undoubtedly demonstrated the power of nature, allowing us to observe the tensions between the natural environment and civilization and to understand the various imbalances in the interactive relationship between the sky, the land, and the human race encountered during urban developments. Today, the “city” has adoptedthe important role of an arena that corresponds to the governance of the environment. This contains two meanings. One is as a source of strength for the increasing collective consciousness of society; the other is as a practice field for changing the spatial environment. Previously, urban planning was established based on the “economy,”adopted actions from “space,” and determined the problems of the “environment” and “society.” However, we are currently facing a counterattack from the forces of nature, which include climate change. Thus, we must even more urgently consider the relationship between humanity and nature. Therefore, sustainable development in city planning must adjust the relationshipsamong the natural ecology, economic development, and humanistic society to facilitate a rich and diverse ecological environment, a flourishing economic environment, and a safe and peaceful life environment.Thus, an urban environment that is suitable for inhabitance can be created. This study employs three cases as subjects, using “green” and “places” as the main axes of the design mode of operation, creating feasible strategies for the ecology of “green” and “places,” and facilitating low-carbon and creative urban developments. This study realizes sustainable building concepts and practices at different levels in anticipation that the regional physical environment can satisfy users’ demands and create a safe, healthy life environment, providing another feasible reference for building strategies in the “green” and “places” of Taiwan’s urban and rural landscape. The primary research method used in this study is a review of relevant literature on sustainable urban development. This literature review is also performed to understand the concepts, meanings, and principles of “sustainability” and “sustainable cities” and the models and characteristics of sustainable urban development to provide a theoretical foundation for sustainability strategies. In addition, we analyze the conditions and structures of sustainable urban development and the bases of sustainable development models for urban space. Sustainable environmental construction, the reuse of cultural assets, and the application of green technology are applied as operating directions. Case operations of design in actual regions are used to provide rural and urban planning concepts, development principles, and building strategies under the concepts of sustainable development.

This study aims to examine the impact of ethics in the knowledge management in organizational development in Botswana. Importance of ethics in knowledge management is growing at a faster pace of late; still some employees tend to be unethical. As organization consists of different people with different ethical cultures, it is essential that organizations should make their employees follow ethical principles while creating, sharing and using both explicit and tacit knowledge to have optimum organizational development. Respecting ethics by human resources helps to improve implementation of knowledge management. The chapter main focus is on Management of ethics in an organization which influences knowledge management processes and subsequently influence organizations development. To locate ethics impact on knowledge management for organizational development, the scholars employed a survey strategy where respondents indicated that there is a significant impact of ethics in knowledge management for organizational development.