Organization Information Subsystems Information Subsystem Can Generally

Organization Information Subsystems

Information subsystem can generally be referred to as the process by which data is gathered, interpreted, and availed to the general employee fraternity via a recognizable distribution channel. The data can range from cost projections for an organization, internal quality assessment reports or end year accounting results most companies will rely upon knowledge for proper planning, good decision making and general control.

Definition of terms/Differences in the concepts

In the process of information dissemination, there are core concepts that must be looked into; these include data, information, knowledge and knowledge management (KM). These are terms or concepts that are related in great extent and the differences that emerge are very minimal. The differences can be seen in the definitions as below

(a).

Data; is referred to as "a collection of facts from which conclusion may be drawn" (Word Net, 2011). It is the article or piece of general information that is verifiable and realistic that has been obtained from research or measurement.

(b).

Information; is defined as a collection of data which has been verified and ratified to be timely and accurate and more often very specific and organized for a particular usage. For any information to be considered worthwhile, it has to be disseminated within a specific context that gives it meaning and relevance that can lead into enhancement of understanding on a particular subject. It is aimed at altering decision, behavior or an outcome of an event (Business Dictionary, 2011).

(c).

Knowledge; according to Wiig K., (2011) knowledge can be defined as "the insights, understandings, and practical know-how that we all possess." He further suggests that our intelligent functioning is dependent on the foundation of knowledge.

(d).

Knowledge Management (KM); is the means by which an organization extracts meaning or value from the intellectual, intelligence or knowledge based-assets that it has. It is the means through which an organization decodes the employees' pool of knowledge, evaluates it and shares the same information to make better the organization operations (Levinson, M., 2010).

Information, knowledge in relation to knowledge management (KM)

From the above definitions, the differences between the terms are apparent and it can be seen that KM cannot be successfully executed without the first three concepts. For a manager to get down to disseminating any decisions that can help the company, he must have the data. Then the data needs to be organized into information that can be understood by all the concerned people in the particular circumstance. This organized data into decodable information is the knowledge that KM takes up and utilizes it to create a desired effect on the organization and the employees. From the collection of the data to the stage of managing the knowledge is a close link that flows into each other and none can be dissociated from the chain and leave the flow intact. The end result of a goo KM process is that everyone in the system benefits since it involves using the research data to further refine the operations of an organization at all angles and aspects.