ikms newsletter

Book Review: Cultivating Communities of Practice

By Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, William M. Snyder

Book Review by Gabriel Sim

Introduction
We have heard how much “Communities of Practice” will revolutionize learning in an organization by helping to unlock tacit knowledge. While it is very easy to understand the theory behind CoPs, implementing the concept can be very challenging.

In this key reference book, Cultivating Communities of Practice, by Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, and William M. Snyder, provides a crystallized perspective by submitting a structural model for the CoP’s based on the experiences culled from the World Bank, Shell Oil and McKinsey & Co. The authors also illustrate design principles to help readers understand and cultivate CoPs in their own organizations.

Special interest group on - “Innovation in knowledge-based Singapore”

Objectives
This special interest group (SIG) is formed to provide an open space for interested members to share and put into practice their knowledge of innovation and knowledge management outside of their organisational or individual boxes. Its primary focus is on the values that can be realised when innovation and KM are combined as: -
• Knowledge management is an important link between innovation and enhanced economic performance.
• The business of a knowledge-creating company is continuous innovation which is based on the construction of new knowledge.
• Creativity is the seed of all innovation and at heart of knowledge management.
• But often mechanisms, prejudices and priorities damage the effectiveness of the
knowledge at the heart of innovation.

Initially the focus will be on Singapore as it is a common denominator to the members. From here this SIG will grow as a community of practice and build on global perspectives

CALL FOR PAPERS

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A GATEWAY TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN AFRICA

The Knowledge Management Research Team sponsored by the National Research Foundation in collaboration with the Information Studies Programme, School of Sociology and Social Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg) will host the abovementioned conference from 22-24 February 2006. This conference is going to provide an opportunity for knowledge sharing and collaboration among academics, researchers, and information and knowledge practitioners.

Sue Myburgh
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

Newly elected Exco had its first meeting

The newly elected iKMS Executive Committee (EXCO) held its first meeting in March 2005 to discuss the budget, roles of each member and to decide on the iKMS activities for the year.

The EXCO members are:

· President - Kan Siew Ning
· Vice-President (membership) - Bruno Trezzini
· Vice-President (collaboration) - Goh Su Nee
· Treasurer - Ng Kah King
· Secretary - Mok Wee Piak
· Exco member (administration) - Senthil Sundram
· Exco member (iKMS website) - Angie Ang
· Exco member (e-newsletter) - Cor Beetsma
· Exco member (JIKM) - Lee Chu Keong
· Exco member (other publications & publicity) - Wesley Wong and Andrew Tan
· Exco member (evening talks & KM training) - Paolina Martin and Lee Foon Yee

Read more about them here:
http://www.ikms.org/aboutus/committee.htm
We look forward to an exciting year, with Evening Talks, workshops and seminars.

Your contribution to the newletter is encouraged, as well as your participation in the events we organise to enrich your KM experience.

See you at the next event!