System Literate Employees

¶ … system-literate employees in the IT workforce.

Specifically, it will answer the questions: As more computer- and information system-literate employees move into executive positions, will executive support systems be needed? Why or why not? What special knowledge, other than that found in a course catalog, is needed to advise students about course and degree requirements in a university? Is it explicit or implicit knowledge? Could this knowledge be made available through a knowledge management system? Why or why not? System-Literate Employees System-literate employees do not always make good managers, for a number of reasons.

Many IT systems employees are focused at a detailed and narrow level of interest, and do not deal nearly as much with people as they do with machines and systems processes. Thus, as they move up from IT oriented positions into executive positions, they may indeed need more executive support systems in place if they are to manage effectively and still maintain good working relationships with their staff.

It does not seem executive support systems will become obsolete as a result of this ongoing need to support those who have more of an IT than employee relations background. IT employees turned executives bring a vast knowledge of computers and information systems, executive support systems will also be beneficial to them in saving time and energy, and that is one major purpose of an executive support system.

In addition, those executives who are not as computer literate as system-literate employees will also need the assistance of these systems as well. Executive support systems may change in the future, as the needs of the people who use them change, however, executive support systems will continue to serve a vital role in business, especially for those system literate employees who have vast IT knowledge, but need more help in executive management and employee relations.

There is a vast wealth of special knowledge necessary to adequately advise students about their courses and major requirements in the college and university. Personal knowledge is some of the most useful knowledge a student can get, and that is why most universities have special academic advisers on their staff. There are many variables in academic advising, from knowing the student's particular needs and wants, to understanding the complexities of course requirements for graduation.

Because of these complexities, almost every student case is different, and the adviser must be aware of these differences, and be able to recommend the proper courses and requirements for each individual situation. Personal knowledge and experience also plays a part in advising students about certain classes and instructors, and matching the student with the best course load and instructors for their needs and abilities.

All of this leads to the realization that using a knowledge management system for academic advising might seem to make sense at first, but because of the personal knowledge required, a knowledge management system could never give the personal and necessary service of a flesh-and-blood academic advisor.

The knowledge management system could certainly manage the complexities of course and graduation requirements, and a knowledge management system might be quite valuable for students to track their academic progress, and see just what requirements were left for graduation, but a knowledge management system could never.