Ethical Considerations of Knowledge Management, Essay Example

Self Post-Assessment

During the course of the studies, I have come to a gradual realization of the ethical considerations of Knowledge Management (KM). In working with the federal government, these considerations will be complicated even more; decisions can ultimately affect national security or perceptions. The nature of knowledge should be such that theories of causes change- not the knowledge itself. This makes KM a field of great social import. As Doctor Lynn’s transcripts stated, “I strongly believe that being a researcher can… make a difference for families, for the community, or whatever field that you’re working in”. When research is conducted on a level that has a personal significance, there is a great pressure to produce- rather than find- an outcome. I did have a limited prior awareness of the force of bias, but the extent of the ethical dilemmas surpassed my early reflections. In an emergency, should Kantian or utilitarian approaches prevail? As a researcher, I now believe that whatever my answer to each individual question, the overriding ethical principle is that the decision to manage knowledge makes me answerable to posterity.

While my foundation of understanding the pitfalls of research is important, the utilization of the proper methods and presentation is easily produced by a meticulous, step-by-step approach which begins as early as the thesis statement. The evolving nature of knowledge and of current events which I regularly encounter is too large to be reviewed and compounded by any one person. Now that this semester’s exploration of KM and research is complete, I have a solid introductory idea of the technological tools and techniques for use in the analysis, categorization, and input of KM systems of artificial intelligence- and of data mining in particular.

Both computer-assisted systems (CAS) and intrapersonal skills are important in the knowledge transfer within the federal offices, whereas CAS, clarity, and input should be emphasized for selection of information and knowledge for federal databases. The distinction of setting and appropriate levels of action is a universal concept which will prove to be central to my adaptation and success. Even with the research and experience in hand, my greatest discovery was that research opens up an endless variety of personal and professional revelations. KM for government is not limited to data analysis, categorization, and input; it also facilitates the improvement of policy decisions, program implementation, the delivery of public services, and increased productivity (Misra 2007). To this end, there is still much research yet to do and much knowledge to receive and manage personally before I am prepared to maximize my skills professionally.

Research and Social Change

Research, like education, has been linked to civic contributions and public perception and ultimately produces a social change. In our course transcript Doctoral Research: Social Change, the narrator praises the researcher’s “unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the community, in the workplace, or even in someone’s life”. However, I would argue that the impacts of research are not incidental to the personal sphere.

Early KM pioneer, Paul Otlet, viewed the globalization and universal availability of information and knowledge as a utopian ideal which would eventually produce a peaceful universal existence of shared knowledge, shared language, and a shared economy. For him, international sympathy began with the most comprehensive education possible (Day 2001). While Otlet’s opponents often criticized this view, as an ideal scenario, it is difficult to find fault with his theories’ intent. Nonetheless, the practical limitations of such an inclusive approach are very real.

Finding the most reliable way to sort this knowledge and retain its integrity is an admirable outgrowth of Otlet’s original plan and may use the theories of Martin Heidegger for guidance. In his view, the language used to present an idea is as important to the transference of knowledge as the knowledge itself. Unlike the news media, researchers are expected to minimalize the use of denotative phrases in their research process and reporting. Some imprinting is inevitable, but the conscientious researcher should strive to be what Day calls a “Centrist”. If personalization is presented, it is done so only in the conclusion and only in support of the findings and requires evidentiary support, because, as Heidegger claimed, the a priori have a way of determining what details are deemed to be fact (Day, 2001).

Through my continuing studies I will be able to advance the understanding of knowledge. According to Ayer (1946), the fault lies with the capacity of the human to be surprised; thus, the surprises of systematic evaluations of mathematics and logic stem from the shortcomings of the researchers and theorists and do not bespeak some error in reasoning. Even twenty years ago, many people in even the most developed countries would not have imagined a world of wireless internet access from so many locations. Reliable research today will inevitably lead to new inventions and progress tomorrow. Hopefully, the wealth of case studies will also provide enough accounts of success and of failure to provide a guide for action. As we are on the verge of a globalized world, ethnographies of the current technological adjustments will soon be a relic of turn-of-the-century change. We are on the edge of brave new world described by the last century’s dreamers and Science fiction writers.

Next Steps

Obviously, continued formal and independent research and application will be vital to the optimal realization of the potential of knowledge. The old adage “Practice makes perfect” also applies. Familiarity with research as modeled by professionals, provided by reliable texts, and through prior experience is a must, and staying on the cutting edge is a taxing, perpetual requirement of the career field. Since the assembly line, productivity has often been placed above quality. In a federal capacity, this is not the case. Unique in its acceptance of sensory perceptions, such as experience and “gut feelings”, federal governmental work does not embrace the philosophical questioning of the literal world which was the staple of classical philosophy (Ayer, 1946). On the contrary, the realist influence of political philosophy is apparent in that most analyses assume that power is central to conflict on any level. Indeed, Ayer argues that logic is factual and can be objectively verified. The fault is in the formalization and processes of analysis.

The greatest obstacle is not in the study of the theories; it is in the selection. Just as researchers are to re-examine the truthfulness of the facts of others, I will also be required to make my own educated decisions about which theories and arguments I adopt into my personal working philosophy. Should knowledge be limited and, if so, to what degree? What obstacles to perfect theoretical execution are presented by the necessity of being practical in a federal workplace?

These answers cannot be taught. Some knowledge cannot be transferred. My residency must continue to probe the dark unknown to find the answers as they are inseparable from both my perspective and those of others. In these cases, research can often be controversial. However, the nature of being answerable to posterity demands that I stay the course as long as the ethical implications do not outweigh the benefits and that I earnestly consider any criticisms and amendments to my findings. In the Doctoral Research: Social Change transcripts, Social Sciences Doctor Amy Sickl sees the research as a multi-level contribution which takes place “through publication of our work, collaboration, working with others, and then ultimately bringing back the research work that you’ve produced to the community at hand”. Clearly, cooperative learning is necessary to social change. Otlet’s views of a universal, H.G. Wells-like “world brain” may be limited by pragmatic details, but it is a positive model for the vision of Knowledge Management as it applies to the past, present, and future (Day, 2001).

References

Doctoral Research: Social Change. RSCH 8100 transcript. Accessed 22 Sept. 2010.

Ayer, A.J. (1946).The A Priori. Language, Truth and Logic, 2nd ed. New York: Dover, 71-87.

Day, R. (2001). Totality and Representation: A History of Knowledge Management Through European Documentation, Critical Modernity, and Post-Fordism. Journal of the  American Society for Information Science and Technology, 52(9): 725-735.

Misra, D. (Jan. 11, 2007). Ten Guiding Principles for Knowledge Management in E-government in Developing Countries. First International Conference on Knowledge Management for Productivity and Competitiveness. New Delhi, India: National Productivity Council.