> Several times in this discussion list we have talked about 'organisational
> memeory'. While doing some research for a project today, I came across
> perhaps one of the most extreme examples of the need for this.
>
> This is the decommissioning of nuclear power plants many years after they
> are built. Even today, when particular kinds of problems arise, the number
> of people around with the intimate ('implicit') knowledge is declining -
> so what will be the situation in 40 years time. The challenge is how to
> capture this vital knowledge before it is lost to the world at large and
> poses awkward problems for future generations.
>
> Therefore contributors to this gorup might like to respond to the
> following
>
> 1. Are there other extreme examples?
> 2. What can we learn from history about 'lost knowledge'
> 3. Any practical ideas to capture this knwoledge before it is too late?
>
> I look forward to some interesting responses.
I don't know if what I have to say is interesting, but I am going to say
anyways. For some time I have also said that in case of downsizing and
other actions, companies tend to lose port of the knowledge that might be
crucial to them. Now, I am reconsidering my thinking a little bit. What
if companies don't really lose too much? Or what if the lost of knowledge
is just a very temparary thing?
I left the Fire Department and considered that I have left an empty space
there. But when I go back to visit or to help in some other capacity, I
found out that they are doing things in different ways, or that they some
new things to be learned that I didn't know when I was an active member.
In a highly dynamic world, the knowledge that goes with those who leave
the organization may become obsolete or not too important after a short
while. As the organization learns new forms, new ways, etc., the memory
is renewing itself with all that new information and those who left may
not even find a fit in the company anymore. Or they would have to acquire
new knowledge to fit back in...
-- Ivan,
--*************************************************************** R. IVAN BLANCO, Ph.D. Voice 305 899-3515 Assoc. Prof. & Director Fax 305 892-6412 International Business Programs Andreas School of Business _________E-Mail Addresses________ Barry University Bitnet: Blanco%bu4090@Barryu Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695 Internet: Blanco@bu4090.barry.edu <<<<< ---------------- >>>>> "Si un hombre fuera necesario para sostener el Estado, este Estado no deberia existir." "If one man were necessary to sustain a Nation, this Nation should not exist." Simon Bolivar ===============================================================
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